Little League Bat Opinions

[SledNeck]

Just bought a Combat Virus brand bats for my 11 yo. Anybody have experince with these. I know for an all composite bat it has to be used with temps over 65-70F and it has to be broke in well. He has a composite handled aluminum easton that he used last year that worked ok, I just wanted to upgrade to something with a bigger barrel and more pop and it looks like this bat gets pretty positive reviews. His easton was 31" 19oz and this one is 31" 21 oz. Thoughts?

[jpaulson]

If it is anything like their softball bats it will be good. I wouldn't worry too much about temps but be more aware of water logged balls. I have swung my composites in temps as low as the 30's. By 200 or so hits it should be pretty broke in. Try to get him to rotate the bat during bp to get an even break in. In the softball world they are known for making bats that have good pop but some can lack durability so hold on to the receipt just in case something happens. They have excellent customer service as well. Hope this helps.

[crothmeier]

Get to a batting cage and start swinging. If it says 100 hits for break in plan on 200. Like jpaulsen said have him rotate the bat when hitting so it doesnt get impact on one side only.

[SledNeck]

why a batting cage? hardballs are okay to break it in arent they?

We usually just hit a bucket of hardballs at the baseball field next to my house. Have the field all to our selves every day anyways.

[walleyeking19]

If its a new bat don't break it in with those rubber balls they use at batting cages, i've found out it wrecks them faster. Just use that park and just hit a little bit at a time for a while

[jpaulson]

I agree avoid the cage. The cage balls tend to do more damage.

[catman71]

"broke in" why would you need to do this?

what purpse does it serve?

[jpaulson]

Composite bats are very stiff at first and the more you hit them the more the composite material "breaks in" which allows more flex and therefore more speed and distance off the bat.