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Online now: 3 members: TABLE SETTER 11, TD51, TT Man; 125 anonymousDiscussion: miken Freak Black ASA maxload 2016
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| March 13, 2018 irishmike 14 posts | miken Freak Black ASA maxload 2016 Just a little help here. I have read that certain bats are better at hitting the "52"coreball. Our leagues here in Ct. might be going to this ball. The question I have is can you hit the "44" ball with this bat? Hate to purchase the wrong bat. League still has not decided which ball to use. Which bat is good for the "52" ball and which one for the "44" ball? Thanks in advance, never got bad advice on this Web Site. |
| March 13, 2018 fennellwg Men's 60 97 posts | I’m willing to speculate without really knowing the answer. Are you looking for a bat to use in senior league? Even though there is no official compression spec for senior bats I believe most of them would be ruled ineligible at any ASA tournament for being too soft / flexible ( below 220 lbs) BPF = BBCOR/COR so for a bpf of 1.2 and a COR of .44. The combination of bat and ball ( BBCOR) improves the collision efficiency by 20% If all things were equal , switching to a ball with 20% better bounce , would have a similar effect I suspect a bouncier.52 COR ball will negate much of the benefit of a senior bat with bpf = 1.21 but the bat is still more efficient at transferring momentum than either a .44 or .52 COR IMO, Bill |
| March 13, 2018 irishmike 14 posts | I have been told that certain bats are better to use with the "52" ball. Our Ct. senior leagues will only let us use bats that are "ASA" certified, and must contain the ASA stamp on the bat. We are not allowed to use bats without that designation, such as senior bats, (SSUSA, ISA, stamps, etc,) I know of several payers here in Ct. that bought a bat, (ASA stamp), based on the fact that they thought they were going to be using a '52" ball. The bat, in several instances, broke after about 150 swings when hitting the "44"core ball. So I'm just wondering are certain bats designed to hit certain balls or can you use the above mentioned Miken Freak Black Maxload "ASA" 2016 bat, ( which I am considering purchasing), to hit "44" core ball, which I believe our leagues are staying with for at least this year. (Example: some "experts" up here tell me the Miken Freak Platinum, ASA stamp, should only be used on "52" core balls). Thanks again for the help, and helping me negotiate through this very confusing subject. |
| March 13, 2018 marcster13 102 posts | All of the bats with the newest ASA stamp are made for the .52. They have less barrel flex. They are not designed to hit the .44. The 2004 stamp bat is not designed for the .52 and hits the .44 much better. Here is a good read: As of October 1, 2012, ASA has changed the way they are testing their slow pitch bats. With this change, ASA has also created a new stamp for all ASA-certified bats. Don’t worry though, ASA bats with the old stamp are grandfathered in and legal for play moving forward. The biggest change has to do with how ASA performs their tests. In the past, ASA bats were tested with a cannon that fired a softball at the barrel of a bat at 110 mph. This test measured the balls exit speed off of the barrel to ensure the bat’s performance didn’t result in an exit speed greater than 98 mph. In the new test, the ball is fired at 105 mph instead of 110, but allows the exit speed to remain at 98 mph. The decrease in cannon speed allows for a greater bat performance. By slowing down the rate of the ball in the test, manufacturers can increase the speed at which the ball leaves the bat. There was also a change made to the official softball used in ASA competition. In the past, ASA required a 44 Core, 375 compression ball. Now they allow a 52 Core, 300 compression ball. In simplified terms, the ball is now bouncier than in the past. ASA’s goal is to have the ball flex more than the bat and for ASA bats to perform more like USSSA bats. Even with the new rule changes, not all ASA bats will be USSSA certified. Each bat is specific as to which leagues it is legal. For example, the new Triad from Miken is ASA certified, but is too hot for USSSA play. While the Z-2000 from Louisville Slugger is maxed out on the ASA test, but still able to pass the USSSA certification. |
| March 13, 2018 irishmike 14 posts | Thanks everyone. Wondered how they came to that conclusion. Last question: Can you damage a bat that's designed to hit "52" by hitting "44"? (And by the way, snowing here again in New England, 5 to 10 inches! No early practice for now!) |
| March 13, 2018 msw4indy 25 posts | The simple answer to your last question is yes, hitting a 44 cor ball with a bat designed for the 52 cor ball, it will not last very long. Most of the ASA only bats of the last few years are made specifically for the 52/300 ASA ball. There are a few out there that will be fine with both balls, Anarchy bats and Boombah Boss come to mind. NSA used a 52/275 ball the last few years as well and what I have found is that a good stiff bat that you generate good bat speed with will do just fine on the 52s. I used my 28 and 29oz Reebok Barrage and 28 Worth EST utrip bats on the 52s and did fine with them. The 2016 Miken will be good for both balls by the way, the 2017 models were the start of the 52 only technology. |
| March 13, 2018 fennellwg Men's 60 97 posts | So...irishmike, It sounds like you are playing in something that could be described as an ASA Senior league. Which mandates the use of ASA certified (98mph) bats . And even though ASA bats that are now designed for and certified using .52COR/ 300 psi balls, it’s possible that your league may use .44COR/375 psi balls instead. Yes/No ? Regardless of any changes in performance or durability or safety.... if you don’t wish to buy an ASA bat, what alternatives do you have? In general I think: A harder ball with low COR will need a flexible (SSUSA) bat to perform best. A higher COR ball should. make a stiff walled (ASA) bat perform better compared to using a low COR ball. But both types of ball will likely benefit from using a flexible walled (SSUAS) bat. i can’t speak to the durability of the latest generation of ASA bat when using .44/375 balls. But it seems reasonable that a harder ball would put more stress on the barrel. Bill |
| March 13, 2018 irishmike 14 posts | Yup, ASA senior league,and yes, we are using the "44" ball. Have to use ASA stamped bats. Looks like the Miken Freak Black Maxload for me, especially if you can hit both balls with it!! Thanks everyone. |
| March 13, 2018 Tri18 352 posts | Guys, There are several relevant questions here. First let’s look at Mikens Freak ASA line for this year. They are extremely good and designed specifically for hitting ASA stamped 52/275 softballs. When you hit a 44/375 ball with these bat, performance goes up in many cases but durability goes down due to the harder compression ball. So, in effect, you are causing multiple swings of usage/damage with each single swing on a 44/375 ball. Some players with slower swing speeds may not experience this but everyone should be aware that they are potentially limiting the lifespan of the bat by using a 44/375 ball with it. Keep in mind that temperatures below 60 degrees are also detrimental to a composite bats lifespan as well. If you combine the harder Softball (which becomes even more dense in cold weather) and sub 60 degree weather you are putting severe strain on a multi walled ASA bat,. I hope this helps clear things up and as always, call me at 561-718-7504 with any questions. Alan Tanner Team 1 Sports Miken Pro Staff |
| March 16, 2018 bkb555 301 posts | ...to add onto Alan's comments, I hit a Miken Freak ASA with .44 balls and cracked the bat after 120 swings...sure, the ball flew but it only lasts for a short time...I would say 1 swing with a .44 ball is probably equal to 8 or 10 swings with an ASA ball in terms of durability and maybe more |
