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Equipment Reviews
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DeMarini Ultimate Distance (also know as the DDW or Double Wall)
There is no doubt that the Ultimate Distance is the highest performance bat on the market. Just about anywhere you hit the ball on the barrel, you are hitting the sweet spot, and the ball just rockets off it. I haven't noticed any increase in distance using it in comparison with other high-tech bats, but you can hit a wider selection of pitches, and if you miss-hit the ball you will still get a lot of velocity (providing that you don't pop-up or hit a weak grounder). The downside to the DDW is the steep cost of around $280 - $300 and the lack of durability. If you have any kind of power, the bat will dent, but will continue to still hit well. Just remember to rotate it after each hit & don't use it in cool weather. You can get the "Big Boy" model, which has a thicker inner barrel, and it will hold up better without sacrificing much (if any, really) performance. My Big Boy is already dented pretty bad, and I only use it in warm weather with good, dry softballs, so don't be surprised if yours dents. If you got the $, though, give it a try - it's definitely the hottest bat there is. I will say that after I finish off the DDW I currently have, I doubt that I'll buy another one because it dents so badly. I hate to give up the big sweet spot, but I just can't see spending $300 repeatedly on a bat.
DeMarini Ultimate Weapon (single-wall bat)
The Ultimate Weapon is one of the best single-wall bats in my opinion. It gets overlooked with all the talk about the DDW, but it is an excellent bat that is very affordable. It is pretty durable, but like the majority of the high-tech bats, it is prone to denting in cooler weather or if you have some power. One thing I really like is how lively it is out near the end of the bat where other bats are usually dead. The endplug compound and shape really help the ball rocket off the bat even if you hit it near the end. I use the 14" barrel version and think it is as good as or better than any single wall bat currently made (excluding the Redline C-Core which I haven't used). Another bonus of the 14" barrel model is that it is very forgiving if you miss-hit the ball. I've taken a few swings with the 12" barrel version, but not enough to give a fair comparison - I like the 14" better.
Easton Reflex C-Core
I bought a new 1997 C-Core still in the wrapper this January (1998) for $100 and I think this is a great bat. This is the first one I've owned & I wish I would have bought one sooner. I wanted a good bat with good durability and kept hearing good things about it so I decided to get one. I really like how this bat hits - the ball really jumps off it. I like it almost as much as my DDW, and this one doesn't dent! I've hit a lot of bombs and screaming line drives with it and think that this is one bat that has lived up to its reputation so far. The only things I would change would be to make the handle skinnier and shift a little more weight to the end of the bat. If you don't like balanced bats, you may not like this one because it is more balanced and less endloaded that other bats. I think I'll be hitting with this bat for a long time. If you get one and don't like it, just keep hitting with it until you get used to how it feels, and I think you'll really be glad you bought it. This is one bat where you get a great value for your money.
Nike Bat-A-Boom
I really like the Nike bat. The ball jumps off it really well, and the bat is well constructed and finished. The knob is very small and is and integral part of the bat as opposed to being welded. The finish is really slick and professional. I remove the grips from all my bats, install rubber taper cones, and then use Mueller sports tape to rewrap the handle, but with the small knob, skinny handle, and high-quality grip, I didn't have to do any of that with this bat. I don't know about durability with this bat since I've only hit in reasonably warm weather with it, but the guys on my team that are using it really seem to like it. It is an endloaded bat, but not extremely so, and may feel more balanced than other endloaded bats. I really like the way it swings. The only downside to this bat, in my opinion, is that it is overpriced at $219. This isn't an extreme-edge-of-performance bat like the other $200+ bats, in my opinion, and I think its price should be more comparable to other high-performance single-wall bats. I think if Nike gets the price down, they can sell a boatload of these.
The B&N Softball Page Bat Reviews
Jay Chasteen's Bat Reviews
DeMarini Chute Speed Trainer
I bought a chute around December 1996, and it has been a great investment. It really trains your muscles to swing a bat fast. You can also tell when you're not swinging properly by the way the chute opens, which helps you to correct your swing. The chute adds a lot of resistance to your swing without adding a lot of weight to your bat. It is a great training tool and will help you to develop good mechanics and more bat speed, and we all know that bat speed = power. If you are willing to spend the bucks for good bats and other equipment, you should definitely consider getting a chute. It's another tool just like a good bat, weight training, etc. to make you a better player. Kelly's Ultimate Sports has them for only $65.00. This is definitely a good deal - I spent $90.00 for mine plus S&H. As far as durability, my chute is still going strong & I use it pretty regularly.
Cryogenics and Bat Performance - Drs. Noebe & McDowell
Dr. Noebe and Dr. McDowell are NASA scientists and explain cryogenics from a scientific point-of-view, basically stating that it does nothing to enhance performance or durability.
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