Open letter to bat manufacturers

Dear all bat manufacturers,

You have the balanced -10 market covered. Saturated.

There is no need for the same company to make the same -10 balanced bat in two different colors with a different name.

Instead of just another Ford vs Chevy style -10, give us one choice in -8 end loaded IN ALL LENGTHS. How many 30, 31 and 32 Rocketech's are out there? Recognize that all hitters are different. Some younger girls WANT a heavier bat. Girls train harder these days, let go of the 80's fastpitch "just make contact" mentality.

Why is this segment of the market ignored? Any fastpitch site you go to has a current post about how some dad/kid is looking for a REAL alternative to Rocketech, (or even Rocketflex).

Yes, this bat market is a niche. But it is a niche that can be easily exploited. How many RT's have been sold since 2004? How many kids are still swinging those relics? Come out with a one or two piece bat in shorter lengths that is a direct replacement for Rockettech with a current USSSA stamp.

I close with a challenge. Have Easton and Louisville thrown in the towel? Can they not compete with an alloy bat? If one of you came out with a short -8 end load bat, (Xeno/Mako), you would have a significant number of orders from players replacing the Rocketech. Demarini, I call you out directly. CF 7 Insane? Not really. Bring us a real alternative and we will be at a Demarini Demo House. WW.

The niche just isnt worth it. I understand some kids would like it. But do you know how many bats need to be sold to make it worth it?
Firstly, many bats do make a 33/25, so thats kinda not even worth talking about. Some bats do come 32/24, given, not a ton but they are made. So that leaves a 30/22 and 31/23. I understand the frustration by some parents that would like this, but man, there is just such a slim market for these weights. And you arent asking for a one piece bat, becuase as we read these boards, most hate one piece bats. So to make a more expensive two piece bat for such a hugely limited market...I just dont see it happening.

Not making an argument WW or saying there arent some that would love this bat...but I'm thinking purely on business and what makes financial sense

Core- it is definitely the shorter lengths I'm talking about. DD has a 32/34 Mizuno but it just doesn't swing right for her.

It is an admission that I readily make that I don't understand the business. Maybe an additional offering will build the segment of the market. A possible oddity to this small sliver of business is that most RT girls have one bat. Most composite hitters have a practice and a game bat. Might it be possible that RT hitters replace one bat with two if there was a comp offering?

I don't know how many bats Anderson sold over the years but it seems like picking up almost all of their business is as easy as producing a small run Xeno with more weight in the end cap and premium pricing of course. This is probably not correct but it seems like I read somewhere that heavier bats often are the same barrel but has additional resin to add weight...?

IDK, maybe with the RT going the way of the dodo bird, the demand will naturally wane but a whole lot of really good hitters in my area started with heavy metal in their hands. All struggled to find a feel that worked for them when they started to feel the pressure to go composite.

Later today I believe my dd will get a chance to put dry swings on a 32 -9 Mako. If that is something she likes, my next step will be to get my hands on a 32/33 Xeno. As a dad, I prefer the Xeno for a lot of reasons, mainly because my FAVORITE bat dealer doesn't handle Easton yet, lol. There is a good chance she will just swing metal until we can get to the 33's where there are more options.

Westwind said:

DD has a 32/34 Mizuno but it just doesn't swing right for her.

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Westwind, DD was a heavy metal girl for the last 4 years. I think over a period of the last year we tried just about every bat out there. She ended up with the Mizuno Whiteout but like your DD, it just didn't feel the same to her as well. Then the 2015 Whiteout2 endload came out. Now she has 2 in her bag and absolutely loves them. Thought you might like to know.

Problem is this all comes down to money. It isn't just a glop of more glue/resin that turns a 30/20 into a 30/22. Given, its not a huge overhaul, but even a diff weight ring, cap, rod, etc...(depending on manufacturer and bat) isn't worth it for this weight/size bat. The money just isn't there for this item.

I understand the frustration, but business is business. If I was in the manufacturers shoes, I wouldn't make the bat either.

As CoreSoftball20 pointed out, end loaded and light bats are a niche sale - maybe 10-15% of overall bat sales. Would also be interesting to know if there is an increased cost of production for a -8 or a -12.

Yocoach, thanks. Sounds like a great option.

Core, the business end of it makes sense. I am probably greatly overestimating the number of bats Anderson sold. They are big in my area but definitely less the last couple years.

DD swung a -9 Mako tonight. First bat she has swung that she didn't immediately rule out. She said it was very much like her Rocketflex. Guess I wasted time on a problem that has already been solved. Sigh.

Will be keeping an eye open for a 32/23 Xeno too. If I can get my hands on one for her to swing I will know what to order if her RF unexpectedly fails.

Westwind said:

Will be keeping an eye open for a 32/23 Xeno too. If I can get my hands on one for her to swing I will know what to order if her RF unexpectedly fails.

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Why do think a 32/23 is a better choice than a 33/23? I would rather have the extra inch of plate coverage and a larger sweet spot. Most players get better bat speed with a balanced bat vs. an end loaded bat. There is a reason most bat manufacturers do not make -8 and -9 bats in sizes less than 33"!

JAD said:

Why do think a 32/23 is a better choice than a 33/23? I would rather have the extra inch of plate coverage and a larger sweet spot. Most players get better bat speed with a balanced bat vs. an end loaded bat.

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YEAH WW, riddle me that!

Some interesting stuff on the boards this fine hot stove Tuesday!

JAD said:

Why do think a 32/23 is a better choice than a 33/23? I would rather have the extra inch of plate coverage and a larger sweet spot. Most players get better bat speed with a balanced bat vs. an end loaded bat. There is a reason most bat manufacturers do not make -8 and -9 bats in sizes less than 33"!

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Just because you swing an endload bat, does not mean you will swing a balanced bat faster. Key is GAME PLAY/LIVE swing speed...not whipping around out of control, flying bug killing dry swinging.

If you are slowing your bat speed up, you are swinging the wrong ounce bat to begin with