These bat companies are slowly raising their prices every year. Cmon Miken $229 for a no return bat?
No way should we have to pay over $200 for a no return bat. All bats should be 179-189. Dudleys @ 200 I get it at least their proven to last. Just my 2 cents.

cost 18 bucks to make

If you are a Dudley guy, head over to Direct Sports
2017 - 187 after discount
2016 - 144 after discount

Miken Ultra II MSU2 can be purchased at a number of places for $189 and they ship it to you. Shop around.
You can always order from some fly by night operation and get it really cheap. Maybe you will get your bat, and maybe not.
Recently some players sent in money for a bat from a rip off company and never got their bat. Deal with a reputable company.

Yeah I get it was referring to the new 2017 models. bats were 179-189 4 years ago and then went to 199, then 209, then 219, now 229. getting outta control. every year its another 10 bucks with no warranty.

I agree with you the consumer. Bats should not be more than 199.95 all the time. Then they will gradually slip down to 189.95, 179.95 and so forth. You can always talk to me and I will work with you to help you out. If I am able to keep the pricing down then that is what I will do. I use to come to the tourneys with KS and we would always try and help out the consumer.175.00 and 180.00 all day long. If I can help you out I will. I have been known to try and help ball players with broken bats from who knows when but I will try. Hope you and everyone else has a good 2017 season....

Mighty Mike Macenko
aka: Gorilla Boy

Yes, Big Mike and KS are two of the "good guys" of senior softball.

I think the final prices haven't changed much. Its the retail price. 5 years ago there were a lot less REPS out there. Every rep knows the more you sell the cheaper rep gets them for in the future. So you often see pm me for pricing. They do that because the company says you need to sell bat X at $$$ price. But if you sell 100 bat Xs you will get your next order at a lower cost. Sooo many will sometimes sell a bat at no profit to build quantity sales.
If i sell bat X at 179 shipped and its 180.00 retail no savings so why buy from me but if i sell bat X at 180.00 retail 229.95 wow what a savings.

Yes they have and very far too much the last couple of years. http://www.easton.com/slow-pitch/products/bats