Combat Wanted G3...RT/RF Replacement?

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Oct 3, 2011
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Right Here For Now
I hope this helps some people looking for a possible replacement bat for the Rocketechs and Rockeflexes. Long story short, the composite bat model (Mizuno Whiteout2 Extreme end-load) that DD selected to replace her RF broke. It's being covered under warranty but she wanted to look at something else as well since it seemed to her that it was actually more end-loaded than her RT. I contacted Coresoftball20 and he recommended the Combat Wanted G3.

I will share with you my initial impressions of it and then give you DD's review. At a later date, once broken in a bit, I will revisit this thread and give an update.

Mine:

Overall appearance, paint and graphics is nice if a bit plain. End-load weighting seems on par with the RT when swinging but the bat itself is quite a bit lighter.
The barrel seems to be very durable and it reminds me of the older Easton Stealths which were tanks as many know. I fully expect this to act like the old Stealths and take about 500 good, solid hits to fully break in. The connection point is extremely solid and the handle is stiff for a composite. The sweet spot itself is smaller ROOTW than the bigger manufacturers offerings but isn't as small as the RT/RFs. However, I was told it will open up more and become closer to what is the "norm" for the major models as it breaks in. The bat comes with a Lizard grip and when swung, is extremely smooth like the 2Legits. Since it's a two-piece, the mis-hits don't sting nearly as much as the RT/RF or for that matter, one piece composites in general. Last but not least, this bat is hot. It has excellent pop when hit on the sweet spot and has good pop when not. Overall, I think this bat is a winner and can easily recommend you try it.

DD's:

She absolutely loves this bat and everything about it. She says it is very smooth to swing, has great pop and can't wait to use it in her game tomorrow. She was impressed that there weren't any stingers even on mis-hits and says it feels just like her RT when swinging. She's extremely happy with it so far.

Thanks to Coresoftball20 for the recommendation, outstanding price and excellent service!
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
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I went with a -9 Mako to replace DD's beloved RF's. It has almost exactly the same balance point and is within a few tenths of an ounce of her RF.

It has taken some time to break in. I would not describe it as hot out of the wrapper but has got much better. I think warmer weather has helped too.

She really preferred the RF to the RT after swinging RT for several years. I really had to twist her arm to get the RF out of her hands but the Mako is now her favorite.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
I also bought a Combat Wanted from core...
DD wasn't a fan at first at all. Sweet spot was smaller than her 2legit, didnt like the feel, was very stiff etc....
I started swinging it by self tossing in the cage every so often just to blow off steam. After a couple weeks the bat changed! And I mean it went from a dud to a stud almost overnight. Balls were now absolutely screaming off this bat. Closest thing I've found in pop to my old ultra2. This bat is enexpensive, because the name brand is unestablished in the fastpitch market. Give it an adequate break in time and you'll be amazed. Had it on the diamond last week trying to hit pop ups to the outfielders.... Without even trying I put about 6 over, had to choke up and use one hand to keep them in.... this bat is no joke.
 

CoreSoftball20

Wilson = Evil Empire
DFP Vendor
Dec 27, 2012
6,215
113
Kunkletown, PA
Combat isnt the first name you think of for bats, but if researched, CE composites has made
many top bats for many manufacturers. And CE is Combat.

Like I told some, this bat isnt for everyone. I am the first to not suggest Combat because
the name puts people off because its not the one of the big names. And unfortunately,
players wont like it even before trying because of the name and we all know hitting
is mostly mental. Same in SP...Combat has a very small segment there as well. Combat isnt made to fit everybody, but the players Combats fit LOVE them.
 
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Jan 3, 2014
336
18
Combat is pretty popular in the MN youth baseball world. DS has swung them since he started, and just this year is moving to a more end loaded Easton bat since he's grown big and strong. At least the Senior League baseball bats are very, very good. You don't see many girls swinging them though. Heck, this weekend was the first time I'd seen a Miken (aside from DD) in a couple years.
 
Dec 11, 2010
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Bu looking at the bat weight database it sure looks like the combat is on the same plan weight wise as the Andersons and Stealths.

Any chance you could compare balance points to same length Andersons etc? Seems like actual weight and balance point are the way to compare apples to apples across different manufacturers and models. Btw, Synergy Speed SRV5b, Rocketflex and Mako -9 were all very comparable that way. I don't have any Stealths to compare.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
Bu looking at the bat weight database it sure looks like the combat is on the same plan weight wise as the Andersons and Stealths.

Any chance you could compare balance points to same length Andersons etc? Seems like actual weight and balance point are the way to compare apples to apples across different manufacturers and models. Btw, Synergy Speed SRV5b, Rocketflex and Mako -9 were all very comparable that way. I don't have any Stealths to compare.

I only have the old 2013 RF to compare to. The RT's were thrown out after being turned into boat oars. Weight wise, the G3 is .6 oz. lighter. The balance point on the RF is not quite a full 1/4" further towards the head end/end cap of the bat as opposed to the G3. As I said, it seems to swing very similar to the RF except it's a tad lighter overall weight wise.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
So, we have approximately 600 hits now. The bat's sweet spot still remains smaller than the biggest manufacturers' major models and the pop remains only decent when not hit on the sweet spot. However, the bat continues to open up more and more with each hit and when the ball hits the SS, look out. Again, I can only think to compare this to the old Stealths as far as how this barrel is acting. In the meantime, we will continue hitting with it to get it to open up even more. DD loves this bat and I think Combat has developed another fan.
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
Pretty happy with the -9 Mako. It is getting better. DD has had two stretches of a week to week and a half of being injured, haven't been able to train as hard as usual. Since she hasn't quite been herself at the plate yet this year it's been hard to compare the two bats.

When I say it's getting better, here is the progression: I hit off a tee with it in late winter when she got it to help break it in and was kinda underwhelmed. She hits a lot so I figured we'd get there quick but I hit fly balls with it a month later and still wasn't all that impressed. 2-3 weeks and many hits later, it started getting good. I hit fly balls and had to be careful to not hit them too far. Noticeable improvement. Front toss to her on a field with 200' plus fences resulted in lots of otf line drives.

Also last weekend dd asked to hit with the RF. It came out of the bag for a bit but that didn't last. She did say she misses the Anderson knob. A lot.

Imlearning said several times that the -9 they had took time and that seems to be true. This is our first ever new Easton and I have read many posts about how long the old Stealths and Synergy's take to break in and how good they eventually get. Hope this one keeps getting better.

I'll add Core treated us right on this. It was a special order bat. I'd like to hear some break in reports on the -10 Easton bats he blew out to DFP members recently.
 
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Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
So, we have approximately 600 hits now. The bat's sweet spot still remains smaller than the biggest manufacturers' major models and the pop remains only decent when not hit on the sweet spot. However, the bat continues to open up more and more with each hit and when the ball hits the SS, look out. Again, I can only think to compare this to the old Stealths as far as how this barrel is acting. In the meantime, we will continue hitting with it to get it to open up even more. DD loves this bat and I think Combat has developed another fan.

Looks like we were typing at the same time! Looks like we are both hoping for that "old Stealth" performance, prob not gonna happen tho, lol. I'm seeing the white and purple Stealths with new USSSA stamps pretty regularly around here. I'd grab those if I could find one at non-eBay money.
 
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