Combat Baseball Bats of 2012

Get Info on the B3, 52 CAL, Grifter, B4YB and Others

Like other manufacturers, the Combat baseball bats of 2012 aren't going to perform like their models from years past, (due to BBCOR standards), but I'm sure that their lineup this year will not disappoint. A couple years ago, Combat was the company that burst onto the youth baseball scene and put composite bats on the map. Here's the lineup for this year.

Note: Comparable models listed are similar in construction and price.

B3

B3 Adult -3
Senior -10

1-piece model
All composite material
Balanced swingweight
Comparable models: Louisville Z-1000, Louisville Triton II, Louisville Catalyst

The B3 is Combat's high-end model for the 2012 season. The one-piece composite features 3 new technologies. First is the Localized Stiffening Technology or "LST." Basically, this is what Combat has done to make their bats adhere to the new BBCOR standards. They've most likely made the composite fibers a little less "trampoline-like" so the balls don't jump off these bats like rockets like they have in previous models. Since the regulating authorities have forced manufacturers to cool it a little on the insane performance of composite material, this is Combat's answer.

Next there is Membrane Modal Control, or "MMC." This is a concept that will allow the bat to retain it's pop throughout the life of the bat. The last is Sweet Spot Technology, "SST," and is just the name the the large sweet spot that the B3 features.

The word on the B3 (as mentioned by a popular bat retailer) is that lab tests have shown the B3 to have the highest peak batted ball speed over any other BBCOR bat on the market. Price for adult model is $350, and senior is $270.

52 CAL

52 CAL Adult -3
Senior -10

1-piece model
All composite material
Balanced swingweight
Comparable models: Louisville Z-1000, Louisville Triton II, Louisville Catalyst

The 52 CAL is a new model from Combat this year. It also features the Localized Stiffening Technology like the B3, but does not feature the MMC. It is very similar to the B3 in that it is another 1-piece composite, but take away the MMC technology, shave a little off the price tag, and you have the 52 CAL. Price for the adult model is $270 and $210 for the senior.

Grifter

Grifter Adult -3
Senior -9
Youth -10
Youth -12

2-piece model
Composite handle, aluminum alloy barrel
Balanced swingweight
Comparable models: DeMarini Vexxum, DeMarini Vendetta, DeMarini F5, Reebok Vector TLS

The Grifter is a 2-piece hybrid that uses Combat's Titanium Enhanced Alloy. Gear Technology along with Resonance Proof Taper make zero vibration and a large sweet spot the Grifter's marketing points. Price for the adult model is $250, while the remaining senior and youth models are $190.

B4YB

B4YB Youth -10
Youth -12

1-piece model
All composite material
Comparable model: Triton II (in design, but not in price)

Take all of the knowledge that Combat has gained from the performance of their models from previous years, then stick it into one bat, and you have the B4YB. It uses the following technologies from Combat...Maximum Allowable Performance (MAP), Ultra Soft Feel (USF), Super Sweetspot Size (SSS), Variable Stiffness Technology (VST), Blended Fiber Technology (BFT), Single wall construction and a long barrel. The Blended Fiber Technology represents the fiber that Combat uses in their composite material. They use carbon, glass, and Kevlar (which is used in bullet-proof vests). Combat offers further explanation of these technologies on their website. In the youth category the B4YB sells for $220.

Classic PR14

PR14 Adult -3

1-piece model
All composite material
Balanced swingweight
Comparable model: None for this price range

The Classic PR14 is the lowest priced composite bat on the market (as of December, 2011). It is supposed to look, sound, and feel like a wood bat, but perform like a composite. It has several of the technologies used in the other Combat models. It also has a low M.O.I. for a light swingweight. Price is $200.

Bomber

Bomber Youth -10
Youth -12

1-piece model
All composite material
Comparable model: Louisville Catalyst

The Bomber model is another low priced one-piece composite ringing in at only $100.

B1 Alloy

Youth -12

1-piece model
All aluminum alloy material
Comparable models: Louisville Omaha, Miken RZR, Rawlings 5150 Alloy

A rarity from Combat, but yes, they do offer an all alloy model in the youth category. It is also priced at the $100 mark, competing with the likes of the Omaha.

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