Bamboo Baseball Bats - The New Cage Bat?

By Tyler Coughlin

Asia has again made their mark on Baseball in America. Bamboo Baseball bats have become increasingly popular among youth and amateur baseball players in the U.S. and across the globe for that matter. Bamboo bats have yet to receive the stamp of approval from Major League Baseball, and most people think that stamp of approval will not be coming at all.

There are a lot of people asking why Bamboo has yet to be accepted into the MLB? So let's go over the main arguments keeping Bamboo on the outside of Major League Parks.

Here is a Major League Baseball Rule that addresses this particular issue....1.10
(a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 23/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.
NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from the Rules Committee of his design and methods of manufacture.

Bamboo bats are made by laminating a bunch of bamboo strips into a blank, and then turning the blank into a bat. Which makes the bat very hard to break, and obviously violates rule 1.10 (as shown above) which states that the bat shall be one piece of solid wood.

Although that rule seems to be a big part of why Bamboo Bats are not MLB approved, there seems to be a more popular argument used. Bamboo bats are widely considered to be similar to composite bats based on the way they are made. Composite bats are also off limits in the MLB. Most experts believe that Bamboo will never receive Major League Baseball's approval unless the MLB approves all composite bats.

So, now looms the bigger question. How will Bamboo Baseball bats survive in America? Well since Bamboo bats seem to be so durable, many youth and amateur players and teams are using them as Batting Cage bats. More coaches and players are catching onto the benefits of training with wood bats, even if they play in an Aluminum Bat league. Hitting with wood forces the hitter to swing with proper mechanics, while aluminum often delivers good results even when improper mechanics are used.

Maple Bats, Ash Bats, and Birch bats all provide better power than Bamboo, but none of them provide the durability that Bamboo does. That means a perfect match for Bamboo Baseball Bats and Batting Cages.

A player or team can reap the benefits of training with wood, without having to continually purchase wood bats because of overuse. Bamboo bats are becoming a big part of the resurgence of wood bats in America. So in a game where so much has changed, wood is looking like the one constant that doesn't plan on going anywhere soon.

Written By
Tyler Coughlin
VP of Operations MoZer Bats

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Coughlin

Complete Bat Speed - A Single Strength Training Exercise to Improve the Baseball Player's Hitting!

By Brandon Richey

Baseball strength training exercises should focus in on the development of core strength and hip power. As a strength and conditioning professional I can think of no better exercise for doing this than the single arm overhead kettlebell snatch. This is the king of kettlebell lifts that is sure to help you develop the necessary athletic traits for you to obtain superior bat speed.

By implementing the kettlebell snatch you are adding a component to your strength and conditioning workout that will ensure the success of your baseball season. In order to be a good hitter you have got to have bat speed. Aside from the hand to eye coordination necessary to hit the ball your body must be able to react quickly to a very fast situation. The bat needs to feel light in your hands. Your timing must be flawless, but if it is off by a very small margin hopefully your core power will be able to help you compensate. The single arm kettlebell snatch is a powerful lift that requires a bit of technique to pull it off properly. Like hitting this is a lift that takes both skill and strength. The object of the exercise is to lift a single bell from either the ground or from between your legs up to a held position above your head in a swift smooth motion. In order to do this you must forcefully flex and then extend at both your hip and knee joints to create force to elevate the kettlebell to a high pull position lateral to your head. At the time the bell raises to this level it should be almost weightless for a fraction of time. At this peak of weightlessness you will want to vertically punch your palm towards the sky locking your elbow out and securing your shoulder into the socket. As you initiate the upward phase of this lift you should be pulling substantially with your lat in order to elevate the bell. By engaging your lat and keeping your shoulder secure in the socket you will have very little problem pulling this lift off.

Once again, in order to develop a substantially effective strength and conditioning workout you have got to include the use of kettlebells into your program. By utilizing this ancient device you stand to outperform everyone on the field in every area of the game. Including even the most basic lifts will help you to cause your opponent to have trouble falling asleep at night. Don't let that worry fall into your head. Remember that anyone can train hard, but only champions train smart my friend!

To learn more about how to utilize your body, Kettlebells, and to achieve Mind Blowing fitness get your copy of My "Better Than Steroids Ebook" by clicking here: http://www.betterthansteroidsebook.com/www.betterthansteroidsebook.com/Better_Than_Steroids_Ebook.html


You will become one of my Free Elite Members if you make your "Better Than Steroids" purchase, but to just become one of my Elite Members and receive my free Newsletter just go to http://www.efandps.com/www.efandps.com/Brandons_Members_Newsletter.html


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey

2010 Worth Baseball Bat Reviews

By R. Nelson

Last year I said that Rawlings is the Rodney Dangerfield of baseball bats and their brother brand, Worth, is the Joe Piscopo of baseball bats. You know he's still doing comedy shows somewhere on earth but you just don't care. For the 2010 model year nothing has changed. Nobody seems to care about Worth bats and it's difficult to even find much information on their bats. Amazingly this is the case on their own web site where they don't tell you which baseball bats are for the 2010 model year! They only talk about their new softball bats. Worth is owned by K2 (the ski company) which also owns the Rawlings and Miken brands. To the best of my knowledge it appears Worth has abandoned composite bats and is exclusively focusing on alloy bats in 2010. On the surface this makes sense as Miken and Rawlings are focused on composite bats. What's amazing is that Worth's 2010 alloy model is priced in the high end of the alloy bat category! Even Joe Piscopo is scratching his head about this strategy. Shouldn't Worth be K2's discount brand? I'm including Worth's composite bats in my reviews even though they're the same bats they offered in the 2009 model year. They make no mention of any 2010 composite models on their web site. In addition, all there 2009 composite models have drastically reduced prices indicating they are discontinued.

Here is what Worth is offering:

Worth Composite Bats

Titan - Adult only 100% composite, one-piece bat with a balanced design. Worth does not specify whether this, or any of their bats, has a stiff or flex handle. This is the 2009 model and they do not have a 2010 model. The Adult -3 can be found for anywhere between $159 and $329. Clearly this bat is on the discount racks to clear it from their warehouse. Needless to say you should stay away from this bat.

Mayhem Comp - Youth only 100% composite, one piece bat with does not specify the handle flex. This bat is the youth version of the 2009 Titan. Like the Titan it's on the discount racks and appears to be discontinued. Stay away from this bat as well.

Worth Alloy Bats

Lithium Prodigy/Amp: This actually is a 2010 model. A 100% alloy, one-piece bat with what appears to be a flex handle and balanced design. The name is different for the Adult/Senior and Youth model but it's the same bat. The Adult -3 model retails for $199 which amazingly prices it with the Louisville Omaha and Easton V12. This bat should be priced around the $149. Unless you're playing T-Ball or want to be ridiculed while at the plate I'd go elsewhere for a bat.

Copperhead, Prodigy and Mutant: All low quality, bargain basement priced alloy bats. They are made with older material and have retail prices between $49 - $89. Don't forget to take a look at My Baseball Bat Recommendations by Category for my picks in each category.
http://baseballbatreviewsblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Nelson

2010 Combat Baseball Bat Reviews

By R. Nelson
COMbat (the company) started in 1998 when they began manufacturing softball bats for other brand name companies. COMbat bats were born in the last few years when they decided to put out the same bats they make for other companies in their own name, including baseball bats.
The big news for 2010 is that COMbat finally is offering their most popular bats, the B1 and B2, in Adult and Senior League models. It's hard to believe it took them so long to do this but at least the light bulb finally went on. Also in 2010, they'll finally get to push the B2 which had a delayed introduction last year because it initially did not meet regulations.

Another change for 2010 is COMbat's introduction of a 100% alloy bat. They've been exclusively focused on composite bats since their inception and this is a big move for the company.

COMbat needs to make a name for themselves in high school and college baseball to become a true player in the industry, and offering all their bats in Adult and Senior League models is a giant leap forward. We'll see if the emphasis on big barrel bats can get them some traction in 2010.

Here's the COMbat line-up for 2010:

COMbat Composite Bats

COMbat B2: As stated, the 2009 B2 had a slow start because of approval issues. This is the same design as the "redesigned" version that was finally approved for the 2009 model year. It a one-piece, single wall bat with a stiff handle and a low swing weight. The difference between the B2 and B1 is that the B2 has COMbat's "Variable Stiffness Technology is said to allow for lower barrel wall stiffness on both sides of the normal sweetspot, resulting in an enlarged sweet hitting area." It also has their "Blended Fiber Technology, where Arimid fibers ( found in bullet proof vests ) is combine with carbon and glass fibers in varying proportions and precise angles to get more trampoline effect and absorb vibrations resulting in more energy transfer to the ball and greater distance."

Did you get all of that? My favorite is the bullet proof vest comment. My opinion is this doesn't amount to much and that it's not much different than the B1. The B2 Adult -3 model retails for $369 putting it just below the other top tier composite bats. There are better options in this category and price range.

- COMbat B1: This bat has had the same design for several years; the only news is the introduction of the big barrel models. It's a one-piece, single wall bat with a stiff handle and low swing weight. The B1's claim to fame began in the 2007 Little League World Series when the U.S. team won the championship game on a walk off home run off a B1 bat. Not that it wasn't exciting and a plus for COMbat but is this really that big a deal? First if you're playing in the LLWS championship game you're probably a pretty good player.

Second the fences in Williamsport are only 205 feet from home plate! In the world of 12U travel baseball this is a F7, F8, F9 or double. This is just a bunch of hype based on one dramatic home run and nothing else. I'm sure the folks at COMbat did their best to stoke this magical story. The truly intelligent move by COMbat was pricing the B1 as a second tier composite bat ($299 for the Adult -3 model). Why they didn't do this last year when the B2 was introduced is anyone's guess. The big barrel option and new price might get some Middle and High School players to use it and give them much needed exposure above the age of twelve. It's one of my two recommendations for second tier composite bats.

COMbat Alloy Bats:

- COMbat Exit: COMbat goes metal with the introduction of their first 100% alloy bat, the Exit. It's a one-piece, single wall bat with a stiff handle and balanced design. The bat has "PowerMetal" alloy which is supposed to have been "Developed for Nuclear, Defense and Military Applications'. Once again a bunch of hype but at least they're being creative. Other than that, the bat claims to have a "unique look" and increased durability. The Adult -3 model retails for $199 where it competes with the Louisville Omaha and Easton V12 alloy bats. My recommendation is to go with those options rather than the Exit.

Take a look at Baseball Bat Reviews Blog for all my recommendations.
http://baseballbatreviewsblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Nelson

Choosing Your Next Baseball Bat

By Colby Brister
People want a baseball bat that looks good and is productive. That's why it is of the utmost importance to choose an appropriate bat. The bat does many things for the hitter. For example, the baseball bat can determine the velocity of your swing, as well as how far the ball will travel after contact. Choosing the right bat will ensure that you use less effort compared to an ineffective bat which will require more effort to get the results you want. You should consider length, weight, and type.

A short bat will not let the hitter hit as many balls within their strike zone as a longer bat will allow. Also, a short bat causes the hitter to reach out and hit the ball, which is definitely a no-no in the world of hitting. Reaching out and hitting the ball causes the hitter to lose their stance as well as their rhythm. To remedy this problem, just get the right size bat. A very long bat is often too heavy. Also, the person will swing the bat slower and this will cause him or her to miss more often than not.

A hitter should stand in the center of the batter's box and put the bat on the home's plate inside corner. The end of the bat should be right where the batter's palm is at. A long bat will extend beyond the palm. A short bat will end where the fingers are at.

Weight is a big concern. There have been several professional players who have been caught up in a cheating scandal involved with lightening their bat in illegal ways. A lighter bat is easier to swing and thus, allows you to hit the ball further due to increased velocity and then you are in control. Cork is illegal in professional baseball because it gives an obvious unfair advantage to the hitter. However, the down side is that a lighter bat will cause batters to over swing. This often causes the hips to fall behind the shoulders. Players are often taught that the hips should be the leader of the swing. The shoulder can't be used too quickly because there won't be enough power in the batter's swing.

You should consider whether you want wood or aluminum for your bat. The type is an obvious consideration you will make because it affects how your bat looks and swings. You should check out the league rules to figure out if either is not allowed before even considering either. If the league you play in doesn't have specifics about what type, then this definitely needs to be discussed.

Aluminum bats are newer than wooden bats. There are different techniques that you can use for aluminum bats that you do not necessarily need for wooden bats. It's important to use the proper mechanics for the particular bat because if you don't then you will do more harm than good.

The weights in the two are different. Wooden bats are heavier than aluminum ones. Players that use aluminum bats on average have a higher hitting percentage because they can adjust at the last minute, whereas players with wooden ones really can't. The density and weight causes a wooden bat to hit the ball further. If you use these tips, then you are on your way to being a good hitter.

Writer and editor, Colby Brister, is a former athelete and a current sports fanatic. His love of the game of football and baseball is reflected in his words and memories of playing sports throughout Junior College with his, cousins and neighborhood friends. His favorite pastime is watching college football on TV and attending every sporting event in person every chance he gets. Colby Brister is a huge fan of the -3 Aluminum Bats and the Aluminum bats from Easton, DeMarini, Louisville Slugger, and Worth, are one of his all-time favorite baseball bats. Check out a few of his favorite Baseball Bats and read up on Baseball Bats here OpinoNated Sportz

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colby_Brister

How to Select a Baseball Bat

By Mark Alter
Only a baseball player knows the value of his bat. There are stories of players who love their bats so much that they even sleep with them. They spend lots of time to keep their bats in ready-to-fight condition. It is important, therefore, to be very careful while selecting a proper bat.

Aluminum vs. wood bats

Baseball bats are made of two materials-wood and aluminum or aluminum alloy. It needs hardly to be mentioned that a wooden bat is heavier than an aluminum bat even if the aluminum is of cheaper quality. It is not easy to give a hard and effective swing or generate speed with a wooden bat. Wooden bats cannot wield the kind of power that the aluminum bats do.

Length, weight and drop

A good maple baseball bat is one whose length, weight and drop allow you to swing it comfortably. If you feel inconvenient handling it after a few swings, don't go for it. The lighter the bat, the more speed you can generate with it. A difference of mere one or two ounces in weight can make a huge difference in the swing.

A thumb rule to select a proper bat is to hold it by its handle and extend your arm so that you form an L with your body. Count 10 while you hold the bat at your shoulder level. If you feel tired, this bat is not for you.

Another important factor is the 'feel' of the bat, which is a matter of individual choice. There are people who rip off the leather on the handle and replace it with a thin plastic tape. The idea is to make the handle as thin as possible. There are others who do exactly the opposite and make the handle much thicker than the original. They feel comfortable with the thicker handle.

If you are looking for custom baseball bats, you can visit http://www.xbats.com The XBATs baseball bats are the finest bats chosen by the most discriminating Major Leaguer to the serious youth and amateur players.

Mark Alter, the author of this article, writes about the advantages of selecting a proper baseball bat. Want to know more about wooden bats and baseball bat? Still lots of things remain to explore.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Alter

2010 Easton Baseball Bats

By R. Nelson

The 2010 Easton bats are essentially the same models as in 2009. They have made a few wise modifications by adding stiff handle versions to their best selling bats. Last year their composite bats were called the Stealth/Synergy IMX this year they're called the Stealth/Synergy Speed bats but they're essentially the same bats. The minor modifications include a slightly lower swing weight and stiff handle option on their Stealth Speed two-piece bat compared to the 2009 Stealth IMX and a stiff handle version of the hybrid SV12. For 2010 they're putting their marketing efforts behind the handle flex rating of their baseball bats. Each of their best selling bats are accompanied with a number, the higher the number on the bat the stiffer the handle. This continues Easton's efforts to be the leader in communicating detailed information about their baseball bats. They tell us the handle flex rating, swingweight (MOI) and hitting area for all of their bats. This is extremely helpful in selecting a bat and makes me wonder why the other manufacturers ignore or gloss over it. Don't forget to check out the My Bat Recommendations section for my recommendations on bats segmented by material and price.

Here's Easton's 2010 line-up:

Easton Composite Bats

Easton Stealth Speed 75 and 95: 100% composite, two-piece end-loaded bat. The Speed 75 is the flex handle version that is essentially identical to the 2009 Stealth IMX, except that it is slightly less end-loaded this year (swing weight rating of 80 versus 90 in 2009). The Speed 95 is the new stiff handle version of this Easton bat design. It is exactly the same as the Speed 75 except it has a stiff handle. The handle is stiffer than the Synergy Speed bat. Easton's two-piece composite bats are by far the most popular composite bats on the market. Both the Stealth and Synergy Speed Adult -3 models retail for $399 a $20 increase from the 2009 models.

Easton Synergy Speed 90: 100% composite, one-piece end-loaded bat (80 rating) with a stiff handle (90 rating). This bat is identical to the 2009 Easton Synergy IMX. Eastonclaims this design provides increased balance and bat control through the hitting zone versus the Stealth model. The Synergy Speed 90 is aimed directly at the heart of Louisville's one-piece, stiff handle philosophy. This design is far less popular than the Stealth Speed/IMX design. If you like this bat you should look for the 2009 model. It's priced around $259 or $140 less than the identical 2010 model.

Easton Hybrid Bats

Easton SV12 65 and 90: Two-piece bat with a 100% composite handle, 100% alloy barrel and low swing weight rating of 70. The SV12 65 (yellow letters/handle) is identical to the 2009 model and has more handle flex than the Stealth Speed 75. The SV12 90 (red letters/handle) is a new stiff handle version of the SV12 bat. It has the same handle stiffness as the Synergy Speed 90. Once again Easton was wise to offer a stiff handle version of this bat. The stiff handle version was much more popular on teams swinging Easton bats in the 2009 College World Series than the flex handle model. I believe the stiff version will become a good seller for Easton. The Adult -3 models retail for $299 which is $50 less than last year's price. If you like the flex handle option you can purchase the 2009 model (yellow barrel) for less money. It's the same bat!

Easton Alloy Bats

Easton V12: One-piece, 100% alloy bat with the stiffest handle (100) and lowest swingweight (60) of any Easton bat. A solid choice for anyone who prefers an alloy bat with a stiff handle. The Adult -3 model retails for $199 which is a reasonable price.

Again, By far Easton does the best job of communicating detailed information about their bats making it easy to find an Easton bat with the characteristics you desire. Very, very smart marketing by the Easton people.

Take a look at other bat reviews at Making a Clickable Link The Baseball Bat Reviews Blog
http://baseballbatreviewsblog.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Nelson

2010 Louisville Baseball Bat Reviews

By Robert Nelson

Louisville has a long and respected history in the baseball bat industry, but they've falling behind in the composite segment of the market. They're 2009 entry into the high end composite category, the Triton, was met with a tepid reception. For 2010 they've changed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to their line-up except for cosmetics. They didn't even make an attempt to fool us into believing they made any changes. The verbiage for their 2010 bats is identical to the verbiage for their 2009 bats. They even changed the name of their second tier composite bat for the third year in a row without changing anything about the bat. This is extremely disappointing from what most consider the holy grail of baseball bat manufacturers. On a positive note they have adjusted their pricing policy to align the price (except for the EXO) to the material of the bat.
Here's the breakdown of the Louisville line-up:

Louisville Composite Bats

• TPX Triton - A 3-piece bat made with 100% composite material with Louisville's stiff handle and a balanced design. The 2010 Triton is the exact same bat as the 2009 model except for a putrid blue/yellow color change that makes it look cheap. This bat has by far the largest barrel I've seen on a baseball bat. As I've stated in the past, it would be in Louisville's best interest to either call this a multi-piece bat or stick to a true 1-piece design. Instead they continue to market it as a three-piece bat bonded together as a one-piece bat. I've hit with the Triton and seen high school kids use it in games and it seems to be a quality bat, but it just hasn't caught fire. You will rarely see it in a high school games and almost never in College. Even on a College teams using Louisville bats the players choose the Exogrid, Omaha or H2 (in that order) and not the Triton. The retail price remains at $399.99 for the Adult -3 model. If you like this bat you'll save about $100 by picking up the 2009 model on the discount rack (and have a bat that looks good). I recommend the Easton Speed for experienced players who want a 100% composite bat.
• TPX Dynasty Composite - This 100% 7C composite, one-piece bat has the Louisville stiff handle and a balanced design. This bat is the same bat as the 2009 Omaha Comp and 2008 Catalyst. Louisville seems to be playing musical chairs with the name of this bat and decided the old Dynasty name would make sense for 2010. I believe this bat is an excellent second tier composite bat choice for two reasons. First, it has a great price at $259 for the Adult -3 model. Second, it has a proven track record being a Catalyst/Omaha Comp. An excellent choice for those looking for a lower priced composite bat.

Louisville Hybrid Bats:

• H2: The 2010 model is the exact same bat as in 2009 but with one major difference, they've adjusted the price to what a hybrid bat should be! Do you believe in miracles? It looks like the H2 did not sell well in 2009 and they were forced to price it correctly. It's a two piece bat that bonds the pieces together to make the claim that it's a one piece bat (we've already covered this). The 100% composite handle is Louisville's stiffest which is saying something. The barrel is a 100% ST+20 alloy barrel and a balanced swing weight design. The Adult -3 model retails for $299 in 2010 $70 less than its retail price in 2009. You can also find the 2009 model for even less.
• Exogrid: The EXO continues to chug along! It's been one of Louisville's best selling bats and the 2010 model is identical to the 2008 and 2009 models. Clearly their going to milk this golden goose for as long as possible because it continues to retail for an amazing $369. In my opinion this bat is closer to a 100% alloy bat then a hybrid but with the carbon sleeve cut into the handle it's in the hybrid category. I believe the price of this bat is way too high and I can't recommend it when for an additional $30 I can get the 100% composite Triton. Don't get me wrong, it's a good bat but I just can't recommend pulling the trigger at $369. If you love this bat find the 2008 or 2009 model. It's the same bat and will cost you a lot less money. As mentioned no change to the design it's still a one piece, 100% alloy bat with some metal cut out of the handle and replaced with composite material. It comes with Louisville's stiff handle and a balanced design. As mentioned earlier, most players on College teams who use Louisville bats swing the Exogrid.

Louisville Alloy Bats

• TPX Omaha: The Omaha also continues to chug along. It' a one -piece, 100% alloy bat with the Louisville stiff handle and a balanced design.. The 2010 is the same bat as the 2009 model and is priced at a reasonable $199.99 for the Adult -3 model. It's a great choice for those who are not looking to break the bank to purchase a baseball bat. Many players on College teams with Louisville contracts prefer to use the Omaha instead of the Triton or H2.
• Omaha XT Stiff: This bat has apparently been out since last year but I've not seen it anywhere except on the Louisville website. I don't know if it's a hybrid or an alloy all Louisville says is it has ST+20 alloy and extra stiff composite reinforced transition. Seem odd to call this bat the Omaha Stiff when all Louisville bats are known for their stiff handles and the H2 has the stiffest handle of all.

Louisville makes quality bats but they need to decide if they're going to jump into the multi-piece bat market or not. If you're coming out with a multi-piece design tell me it's a multi-piece design and why that makes sense. Don't tell me it's bonded to be a one piece bat.

See more at Making a Clickable Link The Baseball Bat Reviews Blog

http://baseballbatreviewsblog.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_V_Nelson

2009 Demarini Baseball Bat Reviews

By Rick Cates
Is Demarini the best Baseball Bat on the market? The 2009 line up of baseball bats may well be the best bats Demarini has ever made! Established in 1989 Demarini Bats, a sub-division of Wilson, is making a strong case to take over the baseball bat market. All of the Demarini bats have flexed tuned carbon composite handles which are lighter than alloys and will flex 2 to 4 times more providing more power at contact. Demarini makes 3 collegiate and high school approved bats, each having a different patented end cap. New for 2009 Demarini is touting their new "Pitch Black" composite technology claiming it is stronger than competing technologies.
Here is the line-up for 2009

CF3 Black (or special edition white) is a 100 % composite, two piece bat with double walls and "Pitch Black" technology. This technology touts 22% more carbon fibers than any other bat on the market with no fillers added which should give it a distinct advantage when it comes to power. This enables Demarini to double re-enforce a vertical and horizontal weave. This process provides the strongest and tightest composite weave resulting in more over-all power. The 2009 CF3 comes in collegiate or high school sizes as follows: - 31/28 - 32/29 - 33/30 - 34/31
For senior league: - 29/21 - 30/22 - 31/23 - 32/24

The 2009 Demarini Voodoo Black is made with pitch black composite handles combined with the newest SC4 Alloy. The Voodoo is a high quality bat with a proven reputation at a very reasonable price. The Voodoo is a very popular bat with a larger sweet spot that the ball really explodes off of. The line-up of 2009 Demarini Voodoos come in Collegiate and High School sizes as follows: - 31/28 - 32/29 - 33/30 - 34/31

The 2009 Voodoos come in Senior League sizes as follows: - 29/20 - 30/21 - 31/22 - 32/23 (-9's)

The Demarini Voodoos also come in minus 10 as follows: - 29/19 - 30/20 - 31/21 - 32/22
The Demarini Vendetta.

Demarinis slogan for the 2009 Vendetta is "Attack the ball with a vengeance." This bat is completely re-designed using "Rail" technology to completely re-define bat handle technology. The 2009 Vendetta comes with 4 flat composite rails with varying flexes that run through the handle and reduces vibration, increases bat speed and delivers a nice combination of handle to barrel flex. New SC4 Alloy in the barrel rounds out this bat of choice for many Division 1 Programs. The 2009 Demarini Vendetta comes in the following sizes for Collegiate and High School baseball: - 31/28 - 32/29 - 33/30 - 34/31

For Senior League the following sizes are available: - 29/20 - 30/21 - 31/22 - 32/23

Last but not least is the 2009 Demarini Vexxum. This bat comes with a 100 % composite handle and exclusive SC4 Alloy comprised with Long Barrel technology giving hitters the longest barrel in baseball providing maximum plate coverage and a larger sweet spot. Even though the Vexxum is on the low end of the range for Demarini, it is still a quality bat. The Demarini Vexxum comes in the following sizes for the Collegiate and High School player: - 31/28 - 32/29 - 33/30 - 34/31

Senior League bats are available in the following sizes: - 31/26 - 32/27 - 33/28 - 34/29

Youth and Little League are available in the following sizes: - 28/19.5 - 29/20.5 - 30/21.5 - 31/22.5 - 32/23.5 (-8's)

Youth and Little League also are available at -10 in the following sizes: - 27/17 - 28/18 - 29/19 - 30/20 - 31/21 - 32/22 (-10's)

Demarini is a player in the baseball bat industry and provides quality bats in both the high and low price range. You can't go wrong with a Demarini Bat. To see more of my Baseball Equipment reviews visit me at Rick's Bats and Gloves, ETC.

Rick Cates is the editor in chief of http://ricksbatsandglovesetc.com - At Rick's Bats and Gloves, ETC we go over what is new in the Baseball and Softball world. We will review the latest products and equipment to help you in making your purchase of new or used equipment in the Baseball and Softball world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Cates

Lightning Fast Bat Speed

By John Furia
How can I speed up my bat? I want to improve my power! For baseball players bat speed is a necessity! How do you acquire it if it does not come so naturally? The key is strength development in the lower body and trunk (core).

One of the key muscles in improving bat speed is a low back muscle called the Quadratus Lumborum. This muscle is critical in laterally flexing and rotating the spine and aids the obliques in further rotating the spine. The key word here is rotation! Once improved strength is gained in this area trunk rotation will improve drastically which then in turn develops greater bat speed.
It has most often been thought that superior bat speed is developed solely through efficient swing mechanics. I have found the trunk rotational strength component to be even more effective even with a poorly executed swing. So imagine the combination of mechanically sound swing mechanics in conjunction with superior targeted strength in the Quadratus Lumborum and surrounding trunk muscles. So how do you strengthen the Qadtratus Lumborum? One of the most effective strength exercises to improve Quadratus strength and function is the "Seated Good Morning" exercise.

Execution:

Place a barbell in a squat rack. Deload the bar from a standing position. Have a bench with a height of about 24"-36" behind you depending on your height. With the bar sitting across the upper trapezius (not the top of the neck) sit on the very edge of the bench with your feet wide apart and your toes slightly pointed outward. Your grip on the barbell should be as wide as the bar will allow. From the seated position lower your trunk slowly to the floor. Head up, chest tall and with an arched low back bring your trunk as far as your body will allow forward. Range of motion will vary from individual to individual. Do not force range of motion and allow the motion to come on its own. After several exposures to the exercise range of motion and end range strength will improve enough so that you will end parallel to the floor. Rep range should be in the 6-10 range.

Try this exercise for about four to six weeks in conjunction with your lower body program. Exercises that work well with the seated good morning are barbell squats, front squats and trap bar dead lifts. With these movements you will see noticeable improvements in bat speed which will reap huge payback with gap power.

John Furia is the owner of Furia's Xceleration Strength & Conditioning located in Deer Park, New York. John is a highly sought-after Strength & Conditioning coach for healthy and injured athletes alike, he has helped athletes at all levels - from youth sports to the professional and Olympic Levels - achieve peak performance in a variety of sports.

http://www.xcelerationstrength.com/

http://www.johnfuria.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Furia

Aluminum vs Wood Baseball Bats... Evidence?

It's been the top debate in youth baseball for a few years now. Some towns and states have even changed their league rules based on the debate. Are aluminum baseball bats as safe as wooden bats (or visa versa). I have an opinion on this which I will not offer in this article. The purpose of this post is to present various pieces of evidence. This will give readers a better understanding on the issue.

Let's start with an independent, somewhat scientific test comparing metal and wood bats. This is in video form... please watch:

Interesting aye? This test found virtually no difference between the two bats. They did point out however that there is a difference sweet spot.

Next.. another video of a test done under the supervision of a professor. They are measuring energy transfer hitting frozen baseballs. Please watch...

The result was the metal bat drove the ball further. OK, how much further? Did they take a large sampling from each hitter. Not enough info in that video to make a determination.

Now here's an article by Mike Celizic of MSNBC.com. He points out that baseball is a dangerous sport (3 deaths on average per year). He maintains that banning metal baseball bats isn't the solution... Please read:

http://openmike.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/19/1040531.aspx

Here's a post in an LA Time's Blog by Shari Roan. This is an interesting read.. particularly the comments by readers.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/05/should-kids-swi.html

As I indicated at the top of this post. I'm not going to offer an opinion on the matter. I felt I should do a little research and help readers get all angles of this one. If you want more info.. Google "aluminum vs wood bats".

I will leave you with this...

Read through the proposed law to ban metal and composite bats in New Jersey. Does it really reference scientific fact? It does point out the tragedy (in detail) that happened to that young boy (whom I have all the sympathy in the world for). But again, it's a dangerous sport. Is the document written to convince law makers that a vote against banning metal bats is a vote against decency?

How about this? Should junior golf be banned because a stray drive with a metal driver might cause a similar tragedy? You decide.

Coach Bob

http://youthbaseballblog.blogspot.com/