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Online now: 8 members: Bob Downs, Bruggy17, CHI-TOWN BALLERS, Mobes, TABLE SETTER 11, Tab27, dalberghetti, stick8; 124 anonymousDiscussion: Endload or balanced?
| Posted | Discussion |
| Jan. 28, 2015 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Endload or balanced? I and others have often wondered, how many senior players use endloaded bats. I think it would be interesting for someone to take note of that at tournaments. Better yet, just look around your dugout and count the endloaded and balanced bats. Just post here with your results, giving total of each and age group and division. For instance, 6 endload, 6 balanced, 60 Major. Does anyone have any predictions? |
| Jan. 28, 2015 4x4 Men's 65 601 posts | I think Alan has it right - 75-80% endloads....can only speak for mywelf and it's all endload for me.....when I went from Balanced to Endload it took awhile to get the timing right with the overlap grip - but now I don't even pick up the balanced I have..... |
| Jan. 28, 2015 OlyPenSenior 21 posts | Balanced only for me. I get that there are more long balls in end-loaded bats, but I prefer to hit for higher average, in the gaps and thru the infield. Just a personal preference on how best to help the team do win with my abilities. Table setters vs table clearers. |
| Jan. 28, 2015 4x4 Men's 65 601 posts | OPS Oddly enough - have more control with the FL...with the benefit of quicker decision time based on pitch location and additional zip on the ball once contacted.....more off the "wrist snap" hits too.... |
| Jan. 29, 2015 Fred S Men's 85 297 posts | 30 oz End Load all the way. Just can't swing a balanced or lighter bat. Over the years I have tried but always end up back with my 30 end load. Like the end load on the pre 2004 ASA bats best before ASA cracked down. My 29 oz R&B PST is a dream to swing. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 Webbie25 Men's 70 2413 posts | Hi Bruce. I have always used a balanced bat-I feel more control with it and prefer to try to hit for higher average overall. Fred-last year after my knee replacement I found myself not getting the 29 oz bat I usually use around, probably because of overall leg strength. So I went lighter. One league game someone handed me a 26 oz, and I actually hit one out with it. Hmmmmm. I am back to 29 though. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 hemi racer Men's 65 237 posts | Always been an EL guy, but hope to try a few balanced ones at Alan's spring camp. Looking forward to it. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | I would have to say that our teams are probably closer to 90% EL. I personally go back and forth just based on how I feel each day. I spent most of last year using balanced but switched to EL in Vegas. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 Bubble Gum 122 posts | Other than feel, is there any study or proof that indicates that the End Load has any performance advantage over the Balanced bat? |
| Jan. 29, 2015 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | There are, but it usually comes down to physics and a persons preference and ability. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 Fred S Men's 85 297 posts | Bubble Gum: Just personal experience. I have always outhit balanced and lighter bats with my end loaded bats. It still comes down to the player. I would be willing to bet that studies and stats would say I am using the wrong bat but you can't prove it by me. |
| Jan. 29, 2015 outfielder Men's 65 59 posts | Bruce it was good meeting you in Tampa last weekend and my preference on bats is the balanced Miken ultra2 I have bought several EL bats in the last few years and they don't seem to perform as well for me may be due to the rare disease I have developed over the last few years called DOB (date of birth) haven't found a cure for it yet |
| Jan. 29, 2015 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Nice meeting you Doug. If I had to guess our 65 M+ team uses more el bats. Our 60 M team might be 50/50 and I don't know about our 50 M team. I'll try to remember to take a count when we play. |
| Jan. 30, 2015 bkb555 301 posts | I have used balanced for the past 10 years...I got a jeff hall legit that had 1/2 ounce end load and also Miken DC41 that has 1 ounce end load....I found the balanced swings quicker for me thus my bat of choice, but if we are winning big or haven't had good swings with my gamer, I try something different like the endload....but generally speaking, I am balanced...I think it is 50/50 on our 50's team |
| Jan. 30, 2015 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Through using my swing speed radar I also find that I can swing a balanced bat 5-8 mph faster but imo I believe that speed sharply decreases after contact with the ball. I have used an el bat for 15 yrs, the Miken Velocit-e Maxload was my first then the Freak Plus and Mega Maniac. |
| Jan. 30, 2015 Robo2 238 posts | I have both balanced and end load (30 oz). I currently lean to balanced because when HRs are limited I find it easier to go opposite field and control the ball better with the balanced. |
| Jan. 30, 2015 CallaVett Men's 50 61 posts | I read a study which proved MOI effects swing speed more than weight. Players swing lower MOI bats faster than higher MOI bats. A balanced bat will a have a lower MOI than an EL bat. So, generally people will swing balanced bats faster than EL. Does that mean balanced bats perform better than EL? I don't think so, there are a lot of other variables to consider when evaluating bat performance. |
| Jan. 30, 2015 garyheifner 649 posts | Does age have anything to do with the above #s. My 70AAA team has experimented with ELs and all went back to balanced. As for me, I am fairly strong and found it a chore to get the ELs around on day 3 or 4 of a major tournament especially when heat and humidity came into play. |
| Jan. 31, 2015 OZ40 549 posts | I know many single and double hitters who hit for a high average using end loaded bats. I prefer end loaded simply because it helps me "feel" the bat more as I swing. It's all personal preference. Back in the wooden bat days I guess the only way (legally) end loading was accomplished was by thinning the handle. When aluminum bats came on the scene it changed the dynamic of the game in terms of bat performance because off the rack "custom" bats were now available. |
| Jan. 31, 2015 dp44 6 posts | Bruce, I for one used a balanced bat for years then changed one year while playing young mans softball and never went back I do agree that the bat speed slows down with contact with a balanced bat. Hope to see you again on the field. thanks for saving some of my throws at first. Roger Tabor |
| Jan. 31, 2015 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Roger, I don't recall you making any bad throws!! |
