Cracked my ninth one since the beginning of 2010. Less than 50 cuts, but it was 47 at game time. Had the bats very warm to the touch Sunday, but....... oh well. I still haven't found another bat to compare--and the beat goes on.....

W are you bragging?
OR, are you saying the U2 is junk?
Or, WHAT???

I need to buy a bat for 2012, just have not decided which
one. U2 or Worth XXX, or Combat........
Would like at least one season, hopefully 2.

Could be luck of draw, if so you just do not know what
you are buying.

Have a good year.

C

crusher-it is what it is, I guess. It just hurts the pocketbook.I wish I had an answer for it. I will try to find a different, more sturdy bat. Haven't tried a combat for a couple years. The Reebok still seems to 'lag' for me-I know it is a personal problem. Maybe duck tape-before it breaks- will work to hold it together.

Mark, remember the definition of insanity.

I too have broken many U2's before seeing an official game.I have NEVER broke a Combat MM OR Centenarian without hundreds of swings.The U2's and Rebok perform better out of the wrapper so you decide.

Webbie,

Just curious, have you or anyone else tried the new Ultra 2 "USA" model grey bat? 4 or 5 of our guys used it in Vegas and even our little guys were hitting it out against the wind. Supposed to be more durable - only time will tell. I picked one up and will start using it in Mesquite/St. George in March.

John

I bought a Gray Ultra 2 in Phoenix at the Worlds,
was a little dead but I attribute that to needing
more break in time than the Black Ultra. Problem was that it broke on the 15th swing. Not just a crack, a major break. Was a warm day, bat was warm,
nothing unusual.I'll never buy a Gray again. Webbie25, my advice to you is to buy a Miken Freak Limited, put 300 to 400 good hits( power hitter hits) on it and it will hit nearly as well as a Ultra and last much longer than an Ultra.Save the Ultra for when the wind is hard In.
theBull

Web: Please call me. Need to discuss a different topic.
Thnx,
E. 970.729-3145

webbie 25 try one of the ultra 2 off ebay with asa stamps I have had great luck with them just take care of them & they will last

goforit, the fact your "little guys were hitting it out against the wind" is probably an indictment of the state of Senior Softball with the special bats and the "needs" of old guys who still play the game.

TheBull --thanks for the info

Gary19 -- maybe i should have mentioned that the little guys are 6'2" 210LBS.
For most of us on this site we feel senior softball is where we want it at this time. I did not mean for my comments to provide you with another forum against the state of senior softball and how we choose to play the game at this stage of our lives - it is what it is.
John

Thank you John, very well said!

I guess "little" is all in the eye of the beholder. =)

I realize that, I have come to realize and accept why that is, and just deal with it.

Weebie you sound and seem to be a pretty smart guy, so I have to ask why in hell would you continue to buy U2's? The combat senior gear mm is hotter and a lot more durable bat. Just look around ask all the guys that have them (yellow and blue) how long have they owned them. The bat does take longer to break in but when it does look out. You spent around $1500.00 bucks for what a bat that you get 100 swings or less on. Invest $200.00 in a combat, you will be much happier and wealthier.

LeeLee's right on target. I'm not a crusher like you, Webbie, but I still break 3 to 4 bats a season. I've found that the Combats last about 3 times as long as the Mikens. They do take a little longer to break in, but you can also hit them in colder weather than the Mikens. The red Maxload seems to be especially fragile, as does the EL Melee. I currently have a gray Combat and plan on buying another blue one at the CST this weekend.

I know a number of big hitters who have shopped around and have returned to the Combats.

LeeLee,
Thought I'd comment about the Combat. I've tried them and like them, the problem I had was that they have a larger diameter knob. I drop my little finger on my left hand and the larger knob aggravates the tendons in my palm. Can't turn it down because that's altering the bat. Tried to convince Mike Macenko to get Combat to change it, said he would talk to them. Again I like the Freak,balance and stiffness same as the U2 and can easily switch back and forth.
theBull

Hey Webbie,
It does not matter which senior bat you get, you are still going to crack bats, with that hard line drive swing. I have the same problem(I hit the middle of the ball- flush). Last year I cracked 3 yellow Reeboks, with less than 80 swings on each one. 1 Grey combat and 1 Centenarian combat. The Grey Combat after 150 swings was hotter than the Reebok or the U2. I did get over 300 swings with my Gray Combat.it did last over a year. Try Combat

But check this out....... The best Senior Softball bat is..... ...........

Miken Ultra II Legion 1.20bp

(They only made them 1 year)

I have a 28oz and it been thru 3 years of BP and Tourney games, and its just starting to loosen up.

If there is anyone out there that has a Silver/Black Ultra II Legion and would like to sell theirs, Looking for 27, 28, 29, and 30 oz…………. No 26oz please, Really looking for the heavy bats.


Please email me
kennardhorsley@att.net

LeeLee-The U2 fits my swing so well and I haven't had the extra money to 'experiment' and no one I know has a Combat to try. (Smart is a relative term :-))That might change with GSF. I do plan on experimenting.
Crusher is a relative term,also, Hombre. Not sure I fit that, but hit it reasonably hard. Which Combat is balanced?
Bull-congratulations again on winning the TOC with the Drillers. I don't remember you having a combat though, do you? I have considered a Freak. I may rethink that option, but my last 2 U2's have been very hot out of the wrapper.
Just like a liberal-out of context, Gary. What I do personally in trying bats that might affect my hitting output would affect my team. I have not had the time or money to experiment. Not insanity, not expecting better results but still disappointed when they don't last a little longer, but also concern for the team to be at my best.

Thanks for all the advice.

I am net a heavy hitter,and I never have broken a U2. Only two of my U2's have broken, and that's when I let 2 heavy hitters use them. So if you're a heavy hitter either use another bat or find lot of money.

Hi Webbie:

I am with you on the U2. Something about it just fits. I believe you can get nearly the same performance out of some of the other senior bats but they do not have the same feel when you hit it on the screws. To be honest I have never really gave any of the other bats much of a chance but I do have a new Reebok. This year I will start out with at least 3 new bats and one U2 with about 125 game swings on it.

Good Luck:

James

Webbie, you can get the gray Combat and the Centenarian in balanced or end loaded. The blue Combats only comes in balanced. At least that's the way I understand it.

Excused me....Correction on the Miken U2

The Miken Legacy Ultra II is the Correct name. It’s hard to find a bat, when you don't have the correct name. There are a few guys on GSF that have Combats. Ask Mike Adair. I've seen him swing the Yellow MM combat and the Gray. He swings a 30 oz, how do I know? I cracked 1 of his Ultra IIs years ago.

Thanks, canIjack. I will see if I can try it this weekend. Not sure I can even lift his bat.... :-)

hombre,the blue combat is available end loaded as well,I use it

The Reebok Vector-O is the exact same bat as the Melee but with a thicker wall. It takes longer to break it in but when it does, it is hot and it is strong as well. Mine was hit over 1,000 times in Phoenix at our hitting tent. We let everyone use our Vectors from 30 year old stud's to 65's. Performance and durability was recognized by all. The key to the Vector-O is to hit it a bunch and let it break in.

Webb, need some NM advice. Pls. Call me.
Surf

Ed-been verrrry busy-will call tomorrow.