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Online now: 2 members: Nola78, TABLE SETTER 11; 60 anonymousDiscussion: Your opinion on best Senior Bat
| Posted | Discussion |
| Feb. 18, 2016 Perl 212 posts | Your opinion on best Senior Bat There are so many really good bats out right now and a few new prototypes going around for testing. I was wondering what bats people think are best. I swing the 12" Dudley Lightnings and really like them. Very durable with good pop. I hear the new Combats and Adidas bats are very good. Also the latest Miken line seems to have a lot of fans. Appreciate your thoughts |
| Feb. 18, 2016 Benji4 Men's 55 289 posts | Just received the new 2016 Ron Parnell signature Louisville Hyper Z. Took BP in Arizona yesterday. Pretty damn good bat after 40 break in swings. |
| Feb. 18, 2016 Q19 Men's 65 81 posts | "Benji4", oh yeah! Well I use to have Parnell's other signature bat (32 oz. Gold barrel with his name, 528 (HRs he hit in one season), and the word BAUXITE on it. Trying to retrieve it from a former EBO teammate that needed an ASA bat for league play. I'm not going to mention Jesse Vargas' name by the way. Will be seeing you on the circuits soon. Good luck! "Q" |
| Feb. 18, 2016 Bruster55 Men's 60 109 posts | I will be swinging the Adidas balanced bat this weekend & will update on Monday how it went.Thx |
| Feb. 19, 2016 joel 1975 131 posts | MIKEN end of story |
| Feb. 19, 2016 Benji4 Men's 55 289 posts | Q, parney has one of the same bats in his garage. Unbelievable those guys were swinging 32 ounce aluminum back in the day compared to today's 26 ounce composite. good luck to you too. See you in vegas. joel 1975 I don't dispute Miken is a good bat but you will buy 3 miken bats before the Hyper Z eventually breaks. We have bats from last season that have 800 hits on them. |
| Feb. 21, 2016 okiehitter Men's 60 5 posts | "benji4" noticed your post re: the 32 oz aluminum bats. I have a nearly new Easton CU31 SX-1 34" 35"oz. I hit hundreds of home runs with this and similar bats back in the day. Now am shopping for the best senior bat - playing again this year after 15 years out of the game. Tried a Miken Ultra II the other day and was impressed...27 oz....and hit a couple over the fence. Might have to change my ways (and get a legal bat). Thanks gents - good info on this site. |
| Feb. 21, 2016 JDub Men's 60 206 posts | Benji, Many of us long time Softball Players used 34, 36, 38 Oz Bats including Parnell. I used to carry a section of #7 Rebar in my Bat Bag for Warmup Swings. I don't miss lugging that thing around anymore ! ! ! All Senior Bats are STOOOPID, but My STOOOPID Senior Bat of Choice is the 2015 DeMarini ONE, 30 Oz Balanced. Can't wait to try out the 2016 Larry Carter Signature Model ! ! ! Have Fun, Be Safe, Jeff White #7 AZ Elite 50/55M+ |
| Feb. 22, 2016 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | Benji4 Just a caveat to your comment to joel 1975 "I don't dispute Miken is a good bat but you will buy 3 miken bats before the Hyper Z eventually breaks. We have bats from last season that have 800 hits on them." You obviously haven't tried any of the 2016 Miken Ultra II line up! You can't beat the performance and durability of these bats unless of course you're willing to put the time in to break in and swing the Nightmare... |
| Feb. 22, 2016 bullet Men's 55 146 posts | Go spend some $$$ and find a original ultra 2 with the ASA sticker on it.I have used 3 for 8 years ,no breaks. They are costly,BUT well worth it.If you want a NIW 28oz let me know |
| Feb. 22, 2016 phils57 Men's 70 30 posts | I have hit about 10 different senior bats in the last year. The best ones for me have been 1.Miken Ultra II Black 2016 27.oz broke after 1000 swings 2.4 Reebok Melee 26.oz broke 2 after 1200 swings, 2 are still going after 1200+ swings. 3.2 Dudley Lightning's 27oz. 12"EL 1 broke after 4300 hits, 1 is still going after 1700 hits. I have also hit a 2015 Demarini One 26oz.el. 1000 swings before it broke, and a gray and black worth legit 27oz. The rating's were on pop. |
| Feb. 22, 2016 Vance+50 Men's 60 66 posts | So this is absolutely my opinion only, based on bats that I have tried. Reebok Melee has always been my favorite. Not real durable, but feels very good to swing and the ball jumps off the bat. Just got a 2016 Miken Ultra II Black and really like the way it feels. Only had BP with it so far, get to use it in games in a couple of weeks. Got a Demarini The One just to use as a BP bat, turns out this is a really good bat. Not sure how durable it will be, but it's just as good as anything in my bag right how. I tried a Hyper Z, really didn't like it. Didn't feel right for me at all. But that's just me. |
| Feb. 22, 2016 Slap hitter 28 posts | Reebok...going on fourth year in March...broke in juuuuust right! Lol! |
| Feb. 23, 2016 Benji4 Men's 55 289 posts | Gary it took 4 years to break in your bat cause you swing like a girl...I'm just sayin. hahaha |
| Feb. 23, 2016 Slap hitter 28 posts | Benji, I've seen girls swing so I don't think it's that...I would call it strategic placement! Lol! |
| Feb. 23, 2016 Benji4 Men's 55 289 posts | Strategic Placement is good. Good enough to lead Cornerstone to that Championship.............. |
| Feb. 23, 2016 Slap hitter 28 posts | With the home run rule changes, having a few strategic placement guys might not be such a bad thing. |
| Feb. 23, 2016 Slap hitter 28 posts | Just sayin! Lol! |
| Feb. 29, 2016 Oklahawg 3 posts | Love the Jeff Hall Reload. Swing a 28.5 and it is perfect. But...cracked one in BP and replacements are hard to find. Anyone want to PM with help? (Sorry if inappropriate...a newbie looking for a bat!) |
| March 1, 2016 Tate22 Men's 60 280 posts | Wee Willie Springer, hit it where they ain't. Cornerstone |
| March 2, 2016 Bubble Gum 122 posts | Wee Willie Springer? |
| March 2, 2016 Bruster55 Men's 60 109 posts | Move over Dudley & Miken the new adidas Melee is here to rise to the top of senior softball bats.We just hit the balanced 27oz Melee & with 180 hits on it the performance is amazing.Friday is hitting day #2 should get another 200+ hits on it and will update everyone.I have posted 3 videos from the other day on Youtube under adidas Melee check them out.Happy hitting.... |
| March 3, 2016 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | For alot of the senior bats I thinks its a trade off for durability vs. having premium performance. Some of the real durable senior bats have very good performance, but not great. I think just a few of the senior bats have the greatest top level performance and the Demarini Senior One Endload and new Juggy Endload are two of them. You break them in and then they are gamers only. I personally like that approach and use asa warranty bats for bp. Or a senior can use one model senior for bp and another for games to balance the spending and be able to use a senior stick in cold or long term bp. JMO..some great choices in todays market for sure. |
| March 3, 2016 impster23 8 posts | Any thoughts on the new Combat Rocket Launcher Senior Bat. Mike Kelly from KUS claims it is flat out the best Senior Bat on the Market. |
| March 3, 2016 Perl 212 posts | The Rocket Launcher won't be available until April 1st per Kelly's. Interestingly they have offered a buy back after 30 days if you don't agree this is the best senior bat. Not sure this offer has ever been made before? Have hit the Adidas Melee, balanced model, and this looks to be another really good bat. Distance wise was comparable to the Dudley. |
| March 3, 2016 RayRay34 Men's 65 1 posts | I thought the Dudley was the best bat out, but after demoing the Senior Adidas Melee 2 I have changed my mind. I was first a rep for reebok 2 years ago which was a great performing bat but I broke too many of them. I was a rep for Dudley last year which is a great bat and durable. I thought that nothing was going to touch it. I was asked to be a rep for Adidas Melee 2 and I told them not until I demo it. I was so surprised. I am only going to be a rep for Adidas now. This Adidas Melee 2 bat is the real thing. If you like the first melee you are going to love this one much more. Not only have they made it hotter but now it is durable. I have compared it side by side with the Dudley and it out performed the Dudley. I am glad I am going to be getting The first shipment of them March 17 to sell. I play for a Super major 65 team and the Adidas Melee 2 is going to be my bat. If you are interested or have any questions - email me Wimbrr@gmail.com Ray Wimbrough Superior Senior Softball |
| March 4, 2016 Snot Nose Kid 67 posts | After reading all these posts.... Choosing the best bat for senior softball is.... CLEAR AS MUD!!! |
| March 4, 2016 k man Men's 65 326 posts | It's the one that works best in the 6 inches between your ears! |
| March 4, 2016 Bobby Buggs 90 posts | Been doing some testing with the new Adidas bat and I have to say the sweetspot is quite large. It really starts getting hotter the farther you get from the end cap which I thought was kinda strange but its like rubber in the middle of the barrel. Too early to tell durability but exit speed and feel are great so far. I will be able to hit it on a field next week in southwest Florida. Hopefully we can get some video but I expect really good things from the new Adidas Melee2 bat. |
| March 4, 2016 Foothills Men's 55 95 posts | Been swinging a balanced Rocket Launcher for the last two weeks . At a 100 hits it got good . Now with 300 plus it is very good . My opinion it is somewhat better than my Miken Big Cat . Looking forward to the endloaded version . |
| March 4, 2016 bkb555 301 posts | I hit the new Melee and it is as good as my current reebok melee....other than the small graphics with adidas and melee2 on it instead of reebok, it should be a winner |
| March 4, 2016 bullet Men's 55 146 posts | I started using a worth legit and LOVE it.But i also feel ALL of our senior bats are the same.It is whatever feels comfortable in your hands. |
| March 6, 2016 the answer Men's 60 115 posts | Oklahawg email me regarding jeff hall reloads |
| March 6, 2016 the answer Men's 60 115 posts | chapsteven4@aol.com |
| March 6, 2016 KDEflyers 2 posts | #1 is the Dudley LLESP12, Grip Spin Technology is what places this above the others in my opinion |
| March 7, 2016 hitts Men's 50 44 posts | I've been swinging the Sr. Combat Maxum for the past couple of weeks. This bat is smoke'n hot. It also has spin technology on a barrel which has a 15% expanded sweet spot. I like the thin handle. Miss hit still travel. Great deals at https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=601174036696255&id=100004109917722 |
| March 7, 2016 Leftylew51 Men's 50 3 posts | #1 is the Dudley LLESP12. I have tried all three, this is by far the best hands down. |
| March 8, 2016 gibby59 6 posts | Bats are like gas in a car. Most any car will do 75 mph with unleaded gas. Most 50 year old senior ball players can hit Bombs with any senior Bat. The person makes all the difference, technique and Strength!!!!!!!!! Larry Carter at 6ft 6 and 255 with perfect technique and in great shape is going to murder the ball. Spend time working out, work on the hitting muscels and learning from the Best hitters out there. |
| March 8, 2016 16wood Men's 65 77 posts | I've seen/heard lots of comments regarding the Adidas Melee 2. It's hard for me to separate the wheat from the chaff when the persons relaying their findings are also selling them... particularly so when they switch products from year to year. I recall that the Reebok Melees were sold through dealers and through individual reps. I see advantages of both... How will Adidas market its new bats? Through indiv vendors only or will they be also be sold through dealers (who sell a variety of bats)? Also, in trying to find info directly from Adidas's web site, they do not show softball as one its listed sports. Obviously, they do support NCAA softball teams (such as UCLA) and they make softball equipment... gloves, bats, masks, etc. I did not find any info on their site regarding the Melee 2. I did find a couple of videos via You Tube but couldn't really ascertain much from them. I've been a huge fan of the Reebok Melee series and am hopeful that the Melee 2 is as good (or better). BW |
| March 9, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | Has anyone used a 2015 combat super duty G3 reload senior bat |
| March 9, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | I meant super dirty |
| March 9, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | Any information on the 2015 combat super dirty G3 senior bat would be appreciated |
| March 9, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | This bat passed asa compression tests, is this normal |
| March 10, 2016 hitts Men's 50 44 posts | I'm a Combat junkie I've swung the super dirty and like the short barrel, it has nice pop and is durable. I now prefer my Maxum over it. |
| March 10, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | Thanks a lot hitts I appreciate the feedback |
| March 10, 2016 Timmy B Men's 50 6 posts | I also purchased a 2010 Miken Ultra 2 special Edition if anyone has any feedback on this bat. It is the black handled one with the grey Barrel |
| March 10, 2016 lb16 Men's 60 196 posts | Timmy B you will be lucky to get 200 swings out of the SE Miken. Performance is good but durability is horrible. Get yourself a Dudley or one of the new Miken Ultra II Blacks, can't go wrong with either for combo of performance and durability. |
| March 11, 2016 Steve Butler Men's 50 15 posts | I've got 2 Combat Centenarians, Reebok, Dudley, HyperZ and TheOne and I will be swinging the Nightmare this year in 50+ |
| March 11, 2016 hitts Men's 50 44 posts | Most sr player are bat junkies Being an admitted Combat bat junkie. I've been swing Combats sr. bats since 2005, when I got my hands on the grey "Snake". It's one of the best every made. I don't use it as a gamer, but when use it smokes the ball. Presently there's a sleepe not being discussed & will surprise a lot of hitters. "The Sr.Maxum", this is the closest I've come to which swings similar to the snake bat.. The balanced model has a slight el feel. The el model hasn't arrived, will update on feel another time. It has a 15% larger sweetspot vs other models. The barrel is less tapered into a narrower handle. It scorched ball during first 20 swings. Mine (27oz BAL) has about 250 swing I've asked several player during league workout night to give it a try. Comments on the bat were very positive. |
| March 17, 2016 Adiktiv6 Men's 60 90 posts | The BEST Senior bat around is the one that's in my hands! A dik |
| March 18, 2016 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | For those that need/want one, I still have Reeboks in my inventory. Ed Andrews ea@andrewsdev.com |
| March 18, 2016 xavier 20 posts | if anyone is looking for original ultra 2 in rapper 30oz but for some reason it seems more like a 27oz leave a contact number |
| March 18, 2016 Trout 6 posts | Miken Ultra 2 |
| March 19, 2016 xavier 20 posts | trout yes miken ultra 2 original |
| March 19, 2016 Gonedeep43 71 posts | Just a heads up. Worth is selling the 2015 Senior Legits for 99.95. This has been my bat of choice since they arrived in 2013. They don't make them anymore. I believe worth and miken are working together on the Mike ultras? |
| March 20, 2016 RadioRan 8 posts | I purchased a Worth Jeff Hall Legit Senior Reload. Cracked it after 200 swings of bp in 3 weeks. Wrote Worth and they sent me another one for free. The replacement one cracked in about 300 swings. I loved the bat, great distance, but can't recommend it because of durability issues. |
| March 21, 2016 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | RadioRan if you liked the Worth Jeff Hall Legit Senior Reload I'd suggest you give the Miken Ultra II Black Maxload (Black bat with green lettering) a try. The weighting will be almost identical and the performance and durability will impress you... |
| March 21, 2016 SilverGhost 32 posts | RadioRan thanks for the input on the worth reload, i have been swinging this bat/testing it lololol and i am right at 300 swings in bp with it. |
| March 21, 2016 Foothills Men's 55 95 posts | Been trying out a balanced version of the new Rocket Launcher bat from Kelly`s . Have put 500 hits so far in temperatures all between 55 and 70 degrees . Have used it with wet balls early etc. etc. Have purposely used bat in these situations to see how it will hold up . So far no problem . Bat is as hot as anything I have used to date . If it gets at least 1000 hits and continues to get better with additional hits , as it has , it will be a player . I have noticed , that composite bats from 8 years or so ago seemed to get better and better until they broke .The original grey combat was a perfect example . Not good at all when new . Then , as it got towards the end of its life , it was amazing . Over the last couple of years , they have seemed to reach a point and then flat line . Might just be my imagination . But , this has been my experience . This one so far has not . It will be interesting to see if Rocket continues to get better and lasts . I have just received a EL version . 150 hits . Very impressed so far . Will be interesting to compare , as time goes on . |
| March 21, 2016 Perl 212 posts | Foothills Are the Rocket Launchers you're hitting prototypes or actually bats from Kelly's. Just wondering because they say the bats won't be available until April 1st. |
| March 22, 2016 RadioRan 8 posts | B94, thanks for the suggestion. Last week vacationed in Flordia, and was hitting with Woodlawn Hitting Club St. Petersburg. One of the guys had a Miken Ultra 2 Black Maxload. The team put 3000 hits on it and then it cracked, they turned the barrel over and got another 500 more hits in bp. Impressive. I think I'm gonna get one. Also, they let me hit a new 2016 Demarini Juggy 2 piece with 200 swings on it. I can hit 320 with a USSSA bat, but hit several 340-360 with Juggy. I'm waiting to see how durable. |
| March 22, 2016 RadioRan 8 posts | B94, I heard someone make the comment that MIken Ultra 2 Black Maxload swings a little lighter than listed weight. Have you found that to be true? I typically swing a 270z, wonder if I should get a 28oz. |
| March 22, 2016 Tommy00 13 posts | Or, you could get the Miken Ultra II Big Cat with the 1oz end load which swings close to true to weight. I have one this year after swinging balanced for 5+ yrs. I am a believer. |
| March 22, 2016 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | RadioRan, the Miken Ultra 2 Black Maxload scales accurately to sticker weight I've found. I would think it should feel very similar to the Worth Jeff Hall Legit Senior Reload you were previously swinging so I wouldn't think you would need to go up an once in weight. You could try dry swinging the Maxload and a Big Cat to compare and see if the Big Cat with the heavier endload is more to your preference. The performance of both bats is very good so you'd be good to go with whichever feels like a better fit to your personal swing. |
| March 22, 2016 Foothills Men's 55 95 posts | Perf -- The first bat was a proto-type . The EL I just received is the finished product . It is the same construction , that will be sold . |
| March 22, 2016 Perl 212 posts | Foothills Thanks for the info. Pls post on bat performance of the EL. |
| March 24, 2016 OZ40 549 posts | It is my opinion that since bats cannot exceed 1.21 BPF most high end senior bats are very comparable in performance so durability and price are determining factors. That, along with personal preference and brand loyalty guide most players bat choices. I have tried probably all of the "big" name bat companies yet I still find myself returning to Miken because in my opinion no one has bested them in terms of performance as it relates to my game. |
| March 24, 2016 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | I think when they are all broken in they are all within 10ft of each other... then it's what you feel comfortable with... For me, it's Durability... I haven't found one that last me over 200 swings yet.. I am giving Dudley two more chances... Seems like the second run bats don't live up to the first run! |
