As much as we try to keep prices low and sales frequent, you still might experience some unfortunate sticker shock when shopping for a baseball bat. It’s true, a new baseball bat can cost more than you anticipated, which could understandably lead to two questions. First, why are baseball bats so expensive and secondly, are they worth it? We address both questions below so hopefully you’ll have a better understanding of why baseball bats cost what they do and how more expensive bats can help you as a hitter.
Why Are Baseball Bats So Expensive?
The first and most critical factor is material. Typically, high-end bats are made from either metal or composite. Metal could mean high-quality pure aluminum or alloy, which is mixed metal. Either way, one of the reasons these types of bats are so expensive is because the raw metal has to be mined, which requires paid workers and managers. Then it has to be shipped to another location where it’s refined, which requires more paid workers. At this point, the metal can be sold to manufacturers, who have their own shops, machines, and workers to transform it into beautiful bats that are then shipped to companies where they can be purchased by customers. So the process is complex and involves multiple businesses, all of which need to make enough money to remain solvent.
Composite bats, which are made from layers of carbon fiber, can also be expensive, mostly because they’re the newest and most cutting edge of bat materials. Composite doesn’t have to be mined, but just as in the case of metal bats, bat manufacturers put considerable dollars into research/development, manufacturing, and testing to make sure these bats will perform like the price tag suggests they should.
Do Expensive Bats Make A Difference?
Yes, and that’s how it should be. The most expensive bats are made from the best materials, usually a mixed metal or composite. Mixed metal bats blend together the best of all the metals they incorporate and can display unique properties that are different from the metals that make them up. As a result, they’re typically stronger and more durable than less expensive pure metal bats. In regard to composite bats, composite is a lighter material which allows the barrel to be stretched longer without making the swing weight heavier. This gives them a larger sweet spot, which is a huge advantage. Also, since composite bats are lighter, they can be swung faster through the zone, which translates into more power and longer distances. Top composite bats are also incredibly effective at reducing vibration.
How To Get Your Money’s Worth:
We understand paying hundreds of dollars for a quality baseball bat can seem unreasonable, but now that you have a better idea why they can be expensive, let’s talk about how you can make that bat last as long as possible:
1. Limit To Individual Use: While we generally embrace the concept of sharing, not in this case. Save the hits your friends would otherwise take.
2. Keep Your Bat Clean: It’s as simple as using a soft cloth, soap, and water. Be sure to dry the bat afterwards so it doesn’t rust.
3. Store Your Bat Properly: Keep it in a cool, dry place, out of extreme temperature areas (like the trunk of your car) and out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
4. Rotate Your Bat: After each hit, rotate your bat by doing a “quarter turn.” This means the bat will wear evenly on all sides and ensure it lasts as long as possible.
5. Limit To Game Use Only: You can use a wood bat or less expensive bat for batting practice.
You don’t need the most expensive bat to be a good hitter, but higher-end bats do tend to last longer and perform better. They often turn average hitters into good ones, and good ones into great ones. So the next time you shop for a new baseball bat, keep an open mind and know a higher-priced baseball bat is usually worth it!
