The Type of BBCOR Bats Elite High School and College Players Use

I have been training baseball players since I was a pro player myself—something like 30 years at this point—and I’ve seen big changes in the Youth, High School, and College games.

Back in the day, we ALL played Little League and were forced to use the very specific 2 ¼” barrel that had to be “Little League Approved. “Then, I watched as many Little Leagues converted to PONY or players left to play Travel Ball with the 2 5/8” barrel, which had longer pitching distances and bases. Now, with BBCOR and USA Baseball-certified bats, the game has continued to change.

Most of the players I train now are elite High School players from SoCal who have college commits or are being recruited, as well as some D1 and JUCO players who are all required to use a BBCOR bat.

In case you missed it—BBCOR is the acronym for “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution,” or in non-engineering lingo, the ball reacts like a wood bat when hit. But that’s not entirely true.

One of my players is at a well-known D1 university that is deep into how they want their players to hit using BBCOR bats. I’ve seen some of the notes given to this player by the hitting coaches, which surprised me. BBCOR bats are supposed to perform like wood, but most players at the higher amateur levels can hit a ball further to center field with a good maple wood bat. That’s due to one major factor—the barrel’s weight is heavier in wood bats. Therefore, BBCOR bats with lighter barrels do not equal wood in some batting scenarios; they have LESS pop. However, there are options for players to consider based on their bat speed and hand strength.

One Piece or Two Piece Bat – That is the Question

In more general terms, we discuss the value of a one or two-piece bat here.

When parents ask what brand of bat to buy their player, it’s not that easy as there are variables to consider before dropping $300+ on a bat that has about 1,000 hits in it. First, are one-piece or two-piece bats better for my hitter?

That same D1 player I mentioned earlier has any Rawlings Bat to choose from, as his university has a sponsorship deal with Rawlings. The benefit for this player is that he can experiment with different models to find the best fit for him. He is a strong guy, so almost two years ago, I convinced him to move up from a 33” to a 34” because I knew he would not lose bat speed with the extra ounce and inch. And he began hitting with more power just by going bigger. He then chose the 34” Rawlings Velo Balanced, which worked very well for him. I tried the bat, and I like the one-piece bats personally. It was balanced like the old M110 wood models I used as a pro.

Then, this past Summer, he played in an all-wood bat Summerball league and started using Chandler Maple Bats heavier toward the barrel. That extra barrel weight was VERY beneficial to his swing as he could really whip the barrel through the zone. He was a league leader in HR, RBI, and Average and made the various All-Star Summerball teams. So, after the season, we discussed how he could take that wood bat barrel whip and translate it to an aluminum BBCOR bat from Rawlings.

About a week into the new school year, he called me and told me he was switching to a two-piece bat. I’ve learned over the years that they are a good fit for some players because I may not like the two-piece bats. I asked him to explain his rationale for switching to a two-piece Rawlings Quatro model. He said, “The Rawlings Quatro, although two pieces, has a heavier barrel, and I can control it better. It feels more like a wood bat but with a much longer sweet spot.” That answer proved he knew he could generate more power to center field than the lighter barrel one-piece Rawlings Velo. He starts the season this week, and the Rawlings Quatro will be his bat for 2018.

More Models, More Options

I train players in an indoor batting cage, so the sound of the PING of some of the bats can be piercing to the ears! But sound aside, many like the Marucci CAT7 BBCOR model. Sure, it’s loud, but they like the balance and the pop they feel off the bat. I’ve tested this model and like it as well. The Marucci CAT7 is balanced, has a thicker-than-normal handle with a nice grip, and is a bit less expensive than most BBCOR bats at $249.
Marucci claims the CAT7 has double the sweet spot as the older CAT6 model, which is true.

Some of the players I train have the resources to change bats often. Several have recently switched to the Easton MAKO or Ghost X models. These are both two-piece “composite” bats that are marketed as a “light swing” with the “longest barrels in the game, giving players massive sweet spots for more power.” Going back to the D1 program that believes light barrels contribute to the lack of power in the center field, this marketing line is negative for certain hitters, especially those with 100+ mph exit velo.

If your hitter is beginning to use a -3 as all BBCORs must be, these “light swing” two-piece composite Easton bats might be a good choice for you if you can afford to step up in price– The Easton Ghost X is $449; and the MAKO is around $250.

BBCOR is Here to Stay

Back in college in the late 80s, we used the Easton line of bats almost exclusively. I preferred the “Black Magic” model and broke records at USC that are still in the books. How much did switching to BBCOR affect home run production in college? I hit more home runs in 1988 with my Black Magic than the ENTIRE USC TEAM did the year the BBCORs were mandated in the NCAA!

I have come to accept BBCORs for what they are supposed to do…protect pitchers from getting hurt or even killed with line drives. I also understand the economics of forcing schools to use wood, as many programs wouldn’t afford the higher costs over a long season.

As I train my SoCal elite hitters, it has become very obvious that the more mechanically sound the batter can be, with a locked-in mental approach and impeccable timing, the less the type of bat they use matters to the results.

What it all comes down to is the simple question—which BBCOR bat is best suited for my hitter? The options for choosing the right BBCOR bat are wide open, especially if you have the financial means. Many high-end baseball-centric sporting goods stores nationwide have demo bats and a batting cage to try out the models listed in this article. DO THAT! Sample every bat you can and figure out what “feels” best. But I’m pretty sure a great hitter, like Mike Trout, could have caused the same damage in high school using a $59 BBCOR from a discount sporting goods chain as a state-of-the-art $450 two-piece composite.