Lets face it, all bats are not created equal, but before we get into it, we would like to point out that none of these recommendations are driven by kick backs, ease of shave or margin like you may see on paid reviewed sites or from other bat doctor companies. Every bat on the list below are proven performers when it comes to durability / performance combination backed by 15 years of bat shaving experience. We are not in the business to sell you a garbage bat already knowing it will turn you off and make you not want to come back and purchase with us again. Doesn't make a lot of sense operating that way which is why our company model is literally the complete opposite. Our job as bat doctors is to know all these products inside and out, how they perform stock and how they perform altered. Nothing can replace experience and understanding the ins and outs of all the models out there. So with this said, lets get down to what will drop some BOMBS!
VERY IMPORTANT --> Stock bat reviews are not shaved bat reviews. Some stock bats need a lot of swings to break in but when shaved and rolled, its a totally different ball game. One of the best current examples is the LS Meta BBCOR model. Very average stock with a ton of break in needed, but shaved, its a totally different ball game. Every bat at the end of the day is rated to be within compliance of the certification stamp on the barrel in stock form. There is nothing out there, stock, that exceeds this despite what you hear or read otherwise it would end up banned. All things equal, every single bat out there fully broken in will be about as hot as the other, but zero review sites will mention this. We strongly suggest to not be overly concerned with exit velocity when choosing what bat to go with it as every hitter will compress the barrel differently and just because you see it online being the top dog, doesn't mean your reality will be the same. Choosing a bat with the correct balancing and feel that works with your swing is how it should be selected. If you cant make good contact, it doesn't matter how hot the bat is, the ball simply wont go.
The bats on this list are not listed in any particular order from best to not quite the best, all are recommended and are equally as hot as the other. The only difference is look and feel.
ALL BATS ON THIS LIST ARE AS SHAVED AND ROLLED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
USA BASEBALL
USA (-12 or 11)
2024 Marucci Cat x USA (w/ barrel reconditioning service)
USA (-10)
USA (-8)
2024 Marucci Cat x USA (w/ barrel reconditioning service)
USA (-5)
2023 Louisville Slugger Select PWR
USSSA BASEBALL
USSSA (-12)
USSSA (-10)
USSSA (-8)
USSSA (-5)
-- THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WE ALWAYS GET, WHY ARENT THERE ANY DEMARINI -10 or -8 USSSA BATS ON YOUR BEST BATS LIST? THE ANSWER IS VERY SIMPLE. ALL OF OUR BEST BATS LISTED ARE AS SHAVED AND ROLLED. ZENS AND ZOAS (SHAVED) BREAK VERY EASY FOR A HIGH PERECENTAGE OF KIDS. AS A ROLLED BAT, THE ZEN AND ZOA WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE. AS A SHAVED BAT, THEY COME WITH A BAG OF ISSUES NO OTHER BRAND HAS WHICH IS WHY THEY DONT MAKE THIS LIST --
BBCOR BASEBALL
Best BBCOR bat still available
This bat is not cheap by any means, but will out hit any other BBCOR bat out there today by a good margin. Stock, it owns everything. Shaved, ridiculous with excellent durability
Composites
Alloy (sleeve or puck removed)
2023 Louisville Slugger Select PWR
Alloy (barrel reconditioning service)
GIRLS FASTPITCH
Shaved and Rolled (-10 or -9)
Shaved and Rolled (-11)
* The Ghosts are by far the hottest, but do have iffy durability
MENS SLOWPITCH
USSSA (Shaved or Rolled) -- 240 models below
2024 Easton Tantrums (any)
USSSA (Shaved or Rolled) -- 220 models below
ASA 52/300 (Shaved or Rolled)
ASA 44/375 (Shaved or Rolled)
Anarchy (any other than Crusher)
Senior
2024 Short Porch Wig Popper Balanced
Clincher Balls
** USSSA bats do not hit these balls good at all. 1 piece Senior bats or low compression ASA bats hit clinchers the best. If you are in a fastpitch mens league and on the clinchers, do not use any low compression ASA bat, go for a senior bat **
Mens modified Fastpitch
Suncoast Melees (1 piece models)
California Bat Company (1 piece models)
** stay away from low compression ASA bats if you want the bat to hold up **