Composite Baseball Bats, Reviews
of the 2010 Models
With composite baseball bats being banned from NCAA use in 2010 it will be interesting to see how the bat rules of the game evolve in the next few years. Will the NCAA allow them back in? Will they never be allowed back in due to their characteristics? Will high schools follow the NCAA's lead and ban them too? All unknowns at this point.
In case you haven't heard, composite baseball bats are the talk of the town in amateur baseball today. What is a composite bat? Unlike aluminum bats, which are made from alloy materials, composites are made from a fiber material, then bonded with a resin. They are very similar to fiberglass.
Another interesting thing to note is that composite bats can be "broken in." Unlike aluminum bats, composites get "hotter" the more you hit with them. The composite fibers actually loosen up a little as it is used more, which causes an increase in the trampoline affect and responsiveness, causing the ball to jump off the bat really well.
There is even a procedure known as "rolling" that is used to speed up the process of breaking in composite baseball bats. This is done by putting the bat in a machine which rolls and compresses it, loosening up the composite material quickly, rather than over time. It is often said that composite bats are the hottest right before they break, because the fibers are so responsive and loose.
Some manufacturers combine aluminum with composite materials in the same bat, making what is called a "hybrid" bat. (A composite handle, with an alloy barrel). There are even models that combine wood and composite materials as well. On this page I have taken the liberty of given you a rundown of only ALL COMPOSITE models. If you are interested in hybrid or all aluminum models, check out my aluminum baseball bats page.
Best Composite Bats
From the surveys I run here at Baseball Equipment Review and research from around the game of baseball, it seems that the Easton Stealths, Combats, and the CF4 models are considered the best composite bats in the game today. The Stealth is however, the front-runner. Please note that I have not used the bats below, but have conducted research from players, parents, and coaches, and have been able to draw reasonable conclusions based on that research. I will also make a commission if you purchase any of these bats below after clicking my links.
Easton Stealth Speed 75 & 95
The Easton Stealths consist of the Stealth Speed 75, Stealth Speed 95, the Stealth Speed XL, and the Stealth Coach Pitch. Let's start with the Speed 75 and 95. These are both 2-piece models that use Easton's IMX composite technology. The "speed" number is a representation of how much flex the bat has to it. The higher the speed number the less flex there is, so the 75 is the more flexible of the two, and the 95 the stiffer. As far as pricing goes, you are going to pay the standard top dollar of $400 for both of these adult models.
 Easton Stealth Speed 75 Youth -9 Youth -11 Youth -13 Senior League -5 Senior League -10 Adult -3 |
 Easton Stealth Speed 95 Adult -3 |
Easton Stealth XL & Coach Pitch
Both of these models are similar to the Speed 75 models in the fact that they both use Easton's IMX composite technology, but also different. The Stealth XL model is the 2-piece that uses the CXN (ConneXion) technology, and the Coach Pitch model uses the SST (Single-System Technology) and is just a 1-piece. Pricing on the XL is $250, and the Coach Pitch is $150.
 Easton Stealth Speed XL Youth -10 |
 Easton Stealth Coach Pitch Coach Pitch -12 |
Combat B1 & B2 Bomber
The B1 and B2 models are my next recommendation for the best composite bats in the game. Combat has really broken onto the scene and made a real name for themselves. Building on the success of the 2009 B2, Combat now has B1 and B2 models available in adult models as well for the 2010 season. Both are 1-piece, all composite models. Pricing on the adult models are $380 for the B2, and the B1 comes in at $300.
 Combat B1 Bomber Senior League -8 Senior League -10 Adult -3 |
 Combat B2 Bomber Senior League -8 Senior League -10 Adult -3 |
DeMarini CF4
I also cannot leave out DeMarini's CF4 out as one of the top contenders for the best composite bat on the market. Many ballplayers love the CF4. I know of one dad whose kid swears by the former CF3 and now the CF4. It is a 2-piece model that uses DeMarini's Pitch Black PLUS composite material, along with a technology called Silver Trace. This is supposed to be a bonding agent that provides a touch composite material, claiming that it adds an 11% increase in the size of the sweet spot. Only you can be the true judge. Pricing on the adult model is the standard $400.
 DeMarini CF4 Youth -11 Senior League -8 Adult -3 |
Nike Aero CX2
For 2010 Nike has a model similar to their 09' version of the CX2, in that it is a 2-piece, multi-wall composite. It gets pretty decent reviews, but the only criticism I've read is that it is a bit on the top-heavy side, and has a high swing weight. The adult model is $400.
 Nike Aero CX2 |
Louisville TPX Triton Comp
The Triton Comp actually is considered a 3-piece bat, with a separate handle and barrel, with a "Bubble Transition Zone" in between the two. It is designed to "optimize the relationship" between the handle and barrel, to create a stiffer and stronger bat than the competition. The standard $400 price tag applies to this model as well. It gets good reviews and bad. The good say that it has great pop of course, but the bad say that it is poorly balanced, and just doesn't swing very well.
 Louisville TPX Triton Comp |
Easton Synergy Speed 90
Easton's Synergy model is similar to the 09' Synergy as well, in that it is a 1-piece model that uses the same IMX composite technology. The biggest difference this year is the addition of the "Speed 90" number representing the fact that it is a fairly stiff model. It retails for $400 in the adult model. Most of the reviews are good.
 Easton Synergy Speed 90 |
Rawlings 5150 Composite
Rawlings is also a competitor in the composite bat world, with their 5150 Composite model. It's a 1-piece design that is priced right up there at the $380 mark for the adult model. Like many, it gets great reviews and bad ones too. Some even claim that it hurts to hit the ball off of the sweet spot. Others however, say that the bat has great pop. Once again, only you can decide.
 Rawlings 5150 Composite |
Miken Freak 100 Comp Stiff & Flex
Miken has designed two composite models with different amounts of flex in the handles. As the names imply, one is flexible and the other is stiff. They both use Miken's R900 composite material, in which they claim is has "38.8% higher tensile strength, and 40% higher elongation" than the industry standard composite material. Both are 1-piece designs and retail at $380.
 Miken Freak 100 Comp Stiff |
 Miken Freak 100 Comp Flex |
DeMarini Vendetta C6
The Vendetta C6 is a 1-piece, single wall model from Demarini and is a little more of an affordable option than the CF4. It comes in right at $300.
 DeMarini Vendetta C6 |
Louisville TPX Dynasty Comp
Another 1-piece composite model that uses Louisville's C7 composite material. Another very affordable composite option at $250, but without much of the hype of the Triton.
 Louisville TPX Dynasty Comp |
Worth Toxic Composite
I don't know too much about the Worth Toxic Composite bat, but it appears to only be available in a youth model. It does however seem to be fairly pricy for a youth model at $250. It is a 1-piece design.
 Worth Toxic Composite |
Well that's the rundown of the 2010 models of composite bats. As I said, these are reviews and opinions of these bats to the best of my knowledge. I hope this was somewhat helpful in making sense of the composite options available to you. Good luck, and be sure to post a review of the bat you chose to go with on Baseball Equipment Review.
Should Composite Bats be Banned from Baseball?
Many say that they are taking the game to a level that is not where it's supposed to go. (More about money than skill). Some have no problem with composite bats. Which side of the coin are you on?
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Composite bats shouldn't be banned, perhaps regulated differently
Not rated yet
As a pitcher, I would have to agree that composite bats may be getting a little bit dangerous. At the college level, we're dealing with full-grown adult ...
Return from Composite Baseball Bats to Baseball Equipment Review Home
Sign up for my newsletter and get your copy of Choosing
the Best Bat for Your Child. It's all FREE! Just fill out the
form below.