Nowadays, there are varieties of baseball bats, and these are made of varying materials. From these plenties of options, it is very difficult to find a great bat which you can use for a long time. There are a lot of bats that are not so durable and get broken in a few days.
In recent times, composite bats have been in trend. Compared to aluminum bats, these bats have larger sweet spots. For this composite material, the bat engineers can increase the performance of this specific area. Compared to alloy, composite materials are lighter, and it helps in offering lower swing weight and a larger barrel.
But do you know how long does a composite bat last?
A composite bat’s first 150 to 300 hits fall in its break-in period. After this period, a composite bat can easily last one to 3 years. A composite bat can deliver its pick performance up to 750 to 1000 hits.
And after that, its performance starts to decrease, and the bat becomes dead gradually. Our detailed research on this topic will help you choose the best composite bat, and in this article, we will discuss all the related topics.
Do composite bats break easily?
No, composite bats have great durability. The composite bats are made of metal, wood, and plastic. Combining these three materials makes the bats more durable and helps them deliver better performance. These bats don’t break easily, but they will last less than one month if you use them roughly.
How long does a composite bat last? The Actual Answer
Most professional baseball players of this time used composite bats, which are lighter and more durable. With moderate usage, this type of bat can last for 6 months.
But if the bat is not used frequently and is stored properly, then a composite bat can last for more than one year. On the other hand, if the bat is heavily used, then the bat can’t last even one month. So some factors have a direct impact on the durability or longevity of composite bats:
The magnitude of Usage
First of all, the longevity of a composite bat is dependent upon the frequency of use; how often it has been used throughout the year. If a bat is not used regularly and is kept in a rest period for a long time, it will last long.
You can use the bat even after 3 years, but the bat needs to be stored properly. But if you use a bat regularly, it can hardly give its best for one year; after that, it will become dead.
Material Used in the Bat
As mentioned earlier, composite bats are made of plastic, wood, and metal. But, if they are not in the proper ratio, the bat’s durability and performance are affected. While purchasing any baseball bat, try to purchase some branded ones; it will be better if you can hit some balls to experience the bat’s performance.
Temperature and Weather Conditions
Composite bats are very sensitive to temperature and weather, which directly impact the bat’s durability. Low temperature is very harmful to these bats, and it leads to multiple cracks and gradually, the bat breaks.
Handling
Composite bats need proper handling. If you use it harshly or if you drop it unnecessarily, in short, rough usage will lead to creaks and damages. With proper handling, you can add some more months to the durability of your composite bat; even sometimes, it can be a year.
Age of the Bat
The age of the bat is also a great consideration in this respect. We have mentioned that you can use a bat even after 3 years with proper care. But at that time, if you start using it for heavy gaming, there is a high chance that the bat will break into pieces.
How do you know if a composite bat is broken?
If there are small cracks in your composite bat, that is not so problematic. These minor cracks have no such heavy effect on the performance of the bat.
If there is a large dent, or if you find any deep crack that has started to the bat in halves, and if you notice a sudden change in the noise, that means the condition of your bat is not so good, and there is a high chance that the bat is broken from inside.
How to tell if your bat is dead?
There are several signs and indications of a dead composite bat. If your bat is dead, you cannot perform your best. So, from time to time, checking your bat is very crucial.
Massive Cracks that split the Bat
When using your composite bat regularly, it is very common to see some dents, cracks, hairline or spiral fractures, etc. But this does not mean that your bat is broken or dead.
In some cases, such bats can also deliver their peak performance. But if there is any large crack that has started to split your bat, it is dead. You will not be able to use it further.
Unusual Sound From Bat
On hitting a ball, a composite bat in good condition creates a hollow and deep sound. The aluminum bats create a sound like a ping’ and these composite bats sound like ‘a pop’.
But a dead composite bat will create a significantly different sound. It is a dull or dim thud sound. This difference in the sound indicates either the bat is dead or losing its power, for some reason, and unable to deliver its best.
hands sting every time you hit a ball on the sweet spot
After hitting one or two balls, if you feel a painful, stinging sensation in your hand, it indicates that your composite bat is broken. When a broken or dead composite bat faces any ball, it generates some sort of vibrations, and this is the reason behind this stinging sensation. This is one of the best indications of a dead composite bat.
Poor Performance or pop off the bat
A new composite baseball cannot deliver its best performance in the break-in stage. After this period, these bats start to give their best. And after a certain period, these bat’s performance decreases gradually.
And after some time, you will get poor performance from it, and soon after this phase, you can see that the ball is not flying as far as it used to. This is a direct indication of a dead bat.
The handle gets pushed up into the barrel
Sometimes, the handle of a dead composite bat gets pushed into the barrel. This is another direct indication of a dead composite bat.
Rattling inside the bat
If you find anything ratting inside your composite bat’s barrel, you need to understand that the bat is dead or broken. The reason behind the rattling is the glue material that holds the end cap of the bat loosened, and it is almost falling off.
Do composite bats get better over time?
Every composite bat has a break-in period. After this period, these bats start to give their best. Eventually, we can say yes, composite bats get better over time. But, this break-in period varies from bat to bat. And after a certain period, every bat’s performance starts to decrease. It gradually moves towards a ‘dead’ situation.
Do composite bats crack in cold weather?
As we know, composite bats are very sensitive to cold weather. It creates a great problem for the batters because most of the baseball games are arranged in such a place where there is cold weather.
And there are some counties where most of the time of the year remains cold. Composite bats are not so advanced to resist any temperature and weather. If the temperature is less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then the performance of a composite bat degrades a lot.
At this temperature, these bats easily get cracked. Even sometimes, these bats face severe cracks and break into pieces. And this dead bat can cause the player’s hands to sting.
How many hits does it take to break in a composite bat?
If you are too worried about whether your bat is dead, you can easily find it by following the bat’s performance. The break-in period of the composite bats lies somewhere between 150 and 200 swings. If you purchase a new composite bat and it is not delivering its best in the initial stage, don’t think that the bat is dead.
But if you know that the bat’s break-in period is over and it was delivering a decent performance. But if you suddenly notice that its performance is degraded. Then there is a high possibility that the bat is dead.
Preventative care and maintenance tips for Composite Bat
You can easily ensure a good, long life for your composite bat by following a handful of things. First, you must avoid using a composite bat if it is very cold weather. You need to store the bat in a safe indoor space.
In the practice seasons, avoid overly waterlogged or yellow batting cage balls. These can have a bad impact on the life of the bat. Try to use regular baseballs or softballs.
If you want to use your bat for a long time, try not to throw or slam it down on the ground or a chain link fence. These things do not extend the life of the bats, but they reduce the chances of damage. Use the composite bats with caution if you want them to last long.
When Should You Replace Your Old Composite Bat With A New Bat?
A direct indication of replacing your old composite bat with a new one is poor performance. The average lifespan of a composite bat is around 1-2 years if used by a single player. It is a practice to use a new bat every couple of seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are composite bats worth the money?
Most people think composite bats can deliver better performance than alloy baseball bats. But, practically, both have separate benefits. Performance-wise, both are also good, but being light, composite bats are preferred by the players. So, yes, composite bats are good and worth the money.
How long does the Cat 9 Composite last?
The break-in period of the Cat 9 Composite bats is 300 hits. After this period, these bats are ready to be used in any serious tournament. The Cat 9 Composite bats’ average lifespan is between one and two years.
How long does it take to break in a composite bat?
In general, the break-in period of a composite bat lies at 150 to 200 hits. But it varies in different bats. It takes less than one hour to cross this break-in period.
Conclusion:
Like the other innovative baseball equipment, composite bats also have pros and cons. Some players prefer to use it. On the other hand, some people think that nothing can beat the legacy of alloy bats. But as composite bats are very sensitive to cold weather, it has many limitations.
