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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 67 anonymousDiscussion: Which bat to buy?
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| April 17, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Which bat to buy? I currently have 2019 Red Adidas 12" Melee. No complaints. Looking to purchase a new bat. Thinking about following.... 2021 Denny Crine Demarini end-load 2021 Larry Carter Demarini mid-load 2020 Johnny Bailey Ultra Fusion 2020 Easton Empire 2020 Suncoast Red Melee 12" 2020 Suncoast Green Melee 13" I follow David Velasquez reviews, still waiting on his 2021 Demarini reviews, and he just started the Easton Empire. Looking for any input or advice, Thanks! |
| April 18, 2020 Casey#44 19 posts | Hi there. I have swung a few of them but the one you already have is the hottest for me. The 19 melee. Everybody is different, but here's some of my observations: The new red suncoast feels and swings great, very consistent, but it doesn't have the same distance as the 19 melee for me. The green suncoast has more pop, but it feels very end loaded for those that like that. The Larry Carter is hot too, but it feels a little light in the end load for me. A lot of distance though. I would really like to try the Denny or a heavier Larry. I haven't swung the others. Hope that helps. Casey |
| April 19, 2020 mck71 Men's 60 344 posts | stayfit - I have swung them all and based on your current bat of choice, either the Denny Crine or JB12 will be closer to what you swing now. Question: why not just get another Melee (I just bought one and it cost less than any of the bats mentioned)? My quick thoughts on the others (NOTE: I have NOT put a lot of swings on them all, AND my bat of choice is a 1 pc 1/2 oz endload) 2021 Denny Crine Demarini end-load - 2 pc bat, has a nice end load, swings quick through the zone once you get it going, I really liked this one but not as much as the LC (think the carry on this one was a "little" better but not as consistent as the LC for me) 2021 Larry Carter Demarini mid-load - 2 pc bat,says it's a "mid" load but swings like a light end load which worked for me, swings very smooth through the zone, really felt pretty good, I REALLY liked this one 2020 Johnny Bailey Ultra Fusion - 2 pc bat, has a nice end load because of smaller barrel, swings nice through the zone, I would have put this one just behind the DeMarini 2020 Easton Empire - 1 pc bat, fits my swing the best (mostly because of what I am used to), says "motherload" but feels like a light end load to me which is fine (for me), really swings smooth through the zone and felt pretty good to me (please see my disclaimer :-) 2020 Suncoast Red Melee 12" - 2 pc bat, has a nice end load, as stated by everyone, very thin handle and has that tacky on barrel (not as pronounced) and helps those who cut the ball, I hit the ball the furthest with this bat 2020 Suncoast Green Melee 13" - 2 pc bat, I didn't think it's end load was more pronounced than the red one personally, same thin handle and tacky on barrel (not as pronounced). So all of the bats mentioned above are very good (IMO), I was able to hit the Red Suncoast the furthest but would be the least likely choice for me simply because handle was too thin, whipped a little too much (for me) and I don't cut the ball so tacky doesn't help. If I was going to buy just 1 (and I probably will), my choice would be the Easton with LC a close 2nd but again, please see my disclaimer :-) Hope this helps, stay safe everyone! |
| April 19, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Awesome feedback and does help! Keep the opinions coming! |
| April 23, 2020 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | I have never been an Easton fan but I did buy the Parnell model of the Empire based on the Smash it Sports review. I've only been able to take BP twice based on our current environment but I thought the bat was as good or better than anything that I've hit with to date. It has less flex than I'm used to but it performs great right out of the wrapper. I was hitting balls out into the wind the first time I used it. I have no idea on durability at this point though. |
| April 23, 2020 Fabe Men's 65 456 posts | Mahalo for da Easton info wuz looking at dat bat! Aloha, Fabe |
| May 4, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Update....David Velasquez posted his review on the Easton Empire today, he did not care for it, he put it at the bottom of his list. But like he states, just his opinion. I got a chance to hit a 26oz green suncoast melee and 27.5oz red coast melee yesterday in 84 degree NC weather. I like the 27.5 oz red suncoast melee, the balls were clearing the 300ft fence easy. I could not get close to the fence with the 26oz green suncoast melee, just seemed like it did not have enough kick, maybe because it is lighter. So the red suncoast melee is in the lead for my next purchase. Still thinking about the 2021 Denny Crine and Larry Carter Demarinis, and the 2020 Miken Johnny Bailey. |
| May 8, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Finally pulled the trigger, was surfing on Amazon, got luck and they had the 2021 Denny Crine endload 27oz for $184 incl shipping. Great Price! Can't wait till next batting practice to see how well it does. I am sure there will be a break in period. Our team supposed to play in the Great Smoky Mountain Senior Classic in Knoxville June 5th, still unknown if that tournament is canceled. |
| May 8, 2020 Casey#44 19 posts | Congrats! I hope you like it. |
| May 8, 2020 Wood_1966 Men's 55 164 posts | Anyone know what the issue is with the 2020 Demarini Larry Carter? It is on Direct Sports for $99.....That is a huge red flag for me! |
| May 8, 2020 Mont25 Men's 50 11 posts | Wood_1966 it shouldn't be a red flag. It's the prior year's model and with heavy inventory levels due to the coronavirus pandemic, I'm sure they are clearing space for the 2021 model (current). |
| May 11, 2020 Wood_1966 Men's 55 164 posts | I did not realize Demarini was already on their 2021 model releases, I just htought the 2021 mention above was a typo. Makes sense if they are last years model, but still very cheap considering it was $249 when it came out. |
| May 12, 2020 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | For what it's worth, I had a second round of BP with the Easton Parnell model. As noted before it is a STIFF bat but performed well. I'm getting the same distance with that as my broken in Miken Ultra II (black bat with green letters that's about 4 years old). It feels very different but performed well for having less than 100 swings on it. I'm not sure that I'll switch from my Mikens yet but it will be in the bag. I only have 2 of those Mikens left and I don't see any for sale so I'll need to switch to something when they go. |
| May 12, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | David V. just put his review out on the 2021 Demarini Larry Carter. In his opinion only, he ranked it pretty high in his list. Great distance, but durability is questionable, may not last long for guys with alot of bat speed. |
| May 13, 2020 Lightning2 16 posts | The JB bat is one of the better newer models out. Soft feel with a good sweet spot even for a 12". Has good distance and is more durable then most bats of this quality. |
| May 13, 2020 Wood_1966 Men's 55 164 posts | I had great initial results with the Easton Empire Ron Parnell, but it has quickly fallen out of favor with me. It is very stiff, and though I now have about 250 swings on it, it has not gotten any hotter. Overall for the money, I would have rather spent a few more bucks and went with the Suncoast 12" Melee! |
| May 14, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | David V. posted his review of the 2021 Demarini Denny Crine this morning. His opinion only... he ranked it behind the 2020 Suncoast 12" Melee and 2019 12" 2-piece Adidas Melee. It's like the 2021 Larry Carter, great distance, but they cracked a few of them. So if you got bat speed, they will not last long. |
| May 15, 2020 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | Wood_1966: Just curious...what weight is the Parnell that you're swinging? I'm swinging a 28 and am getting really good performance from that bat. I keep looking for a reason not to like it based on all of the recent feedback but the bat has really performed well so far. I agree that it feels different and you don't feel any flex in the handle or the barrel on contact but I've been hitting bombs with that bat. Had a teammate swing it as well yesterday and he did the same. I agree that it doesn't seem to "break in" but it still performs well. We were hitting balls from close to the backstop (about 15' behind home plate) on a 305' fence with a decent wind coming in and were clearing the fence by a lot. I'm wondering if the lighter weight bats just don't get the same result. |
| May 15, 2020 Wood_1966 Men's 55 164 posts | I have a 26 ounce and I prefer some flex in my bats(but not alot). I am going to keep swinging it in BP and hopefully when I get to about 400 swings it picks up in performance. Then again, I am comparing its performance to a 2019 Adidas Melee 12", which in my opinion is the best bat out there! |
| May 17, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Some of my team had practice yesterday in 87 deg NC weather, not much wind. We put about 100 swings on the 2021 Denny Crine Demarini 27oz. Consensus, in our opinion...it is a very good bat, plenty went out over the 300ft fence, but feel like the 2020 red Suncoast Melee and 2019 red Adidas Melee may have a slight edge over it. |
| May 19, 2020 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | Wood...I need to swing one of the Melee's to get a basis of comparison. Based on feedback that I hear, they are the best bat out there. I have a teammate that just got a 26 ox Parnell. He hit my 28 last week so I'm waiting to hear from him if there is a difference. Hopefully we get to use one of these in an actual game soon. |
| May 19, 2020 DOERBAUM Men's 55 86 posts | I also bought a parnell and have been impressed with it both in performance and durability. The thing that really surprised me was that this morning at our "socially distant BP" one of my friends brought a compression tester and the parnell tested at 150lbs. Never, and i mean NEVER, have i had a bat go below 170 without blowing up like a 4rth firecracker. i probably have 600+ swings on it. it is showing the tiny fractures that mean a bat is "well broken in", plus three parallel small cracks in line with the barrel. i will agree that it was good from the get go as well. |
| June 18, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | So I have had more practices now and able to put more swings on the 2021 Denny Crine, 2020 Red Suncoast Melee and my old 2019 Red Adidas Melee. The 2021 Denny Crine is breaking in and definitely has some pop, dang close to the melee's. |
| June 18, 2020 Q19 Men's 65 81 posts | 5’10”, 195 lbs., turn 61 in November The one you have is my HOTTEST bat right now. I just bought two more. My current bat is the 2018 1-piece EASTON Empire (27 oz.) - balanced. I have one in reserve plus a 28 oz. model. I also have about 15 other SENIIOR bats to include the red SUNCOAST Melee 2. I broke my first Empire after about a year of use to include league nights. I’ve hit some of my furthest bombs with the Red ADIDAS. I hit HRs with the Empire too, just not as far. A 309 ft. HR is the same in the scorebook as a 375+ ft. HR. For me, it’s the overall feel of the bar and more often my balanced swing is working better than my endload swing. As my buddy Richie would say, “BOOM”! |
| June 19, 2020 OZ40 549 posts | I still compare every bat I swing to the MIKEN line of bats. I believe the MIKEN bats are the only ones still made in the US and NOT in China. Personally at this time, since China has basically ruined our summer with their virus, why support them by buying their products when American produced products of the same or better quality (MIKEN) are available..... |
| July 14, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | Well, dang it, the 2021 Denny Crine Demarini cracked after about 125 swings. No doubt, that bat got hot before it cracked. Now, have to figure what to do, may go with red Suncoast Melee. Also, thinking about the blue Dudley Bobby Nifong, I know it takes a while to break in, but a sweet bat after break-in. Decisions, Decisions :-) |
| July 15, 2020 Saratoga2 19 posts | Good point OZ4O, I have been thinking of the Suncoast 12 but it is made in China. I do have an Adidis Melee 12 which I like. My problems with Miken bats in the past are that I broke at least 4 so wanted a more robust bat and one which also performed. I am now also looking at the Miken JB two piece. It has a small end load and the performance appears to be very good. I am waiting for someone in my league to get one so I can test swing it. |
| Aug. 17, 2020 Tri18 352 posts | Hey Guys, Consider trying out one of my AT18 bats from Worth. 13.5” barrel with a 1/2 ounce endload is one of the most popular configurations among senior players. Must more important is the fact that it combination of performance , durability, and sweet spot sets it apart from other bats. If you don’t mind buying multiple bats every year because they break there are other choices but none of the other bats really compares. All of our Miken and Worth bats this year have those characteristics and these really are the finest we have ever made. We are out of stock on the Johnny Bailey and MAG7 bats right now but should be producing more Mid September. If you need any help you can reach me at 561-718-7504. Alan Tanner Team 1 Sports MIKEN & Worth Pro Staff |
| Aug. 17, 2020 Tri18 352 posts | And by the way.....ALL Miken and Worth bats are MADE IN THE USA IN CALEDONIA, MINNESOTA. How about considering supporting your country and American jobs when you buy your next bat? AT18 |
| Aug. 17, 2020 Casey#44 19 posts | ^^^^ This |
| Sept. 6, 2020 stayfit2016 Men's 55 13 posts | I got a 25.5 oz Dudley Bobby Nifong last week, got about 80 swings on it now. The 25.5 oz feels like other 26.5 oz bats. So far, I am impressed. Read where that hard shell barrel bats like the Bobby Nifong works best for fast bat speed. Also, been told it can take up to 400 swings before the Bobby Nifong is broke in and hot. So going to be patient. |
