I've heard mixed opinion about whether hitting dimpled machine balls will damage a composite bat. Does anyone know if there is definitive scientific answer? The dimples I have weigh .25 oz less than a regulation ball and feel softer to squeeze...at least at summer temperatures. I'm having trouble seeing how they would pose a greater risk to bat integrity. Any thoughts?
Bats and Dimple Balls
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shaker1
Softball Junkie
Depends on which ones use get, we use the baden dimple ball with no problems.
The Jugs sting-free balls should also be ok. The big issue is the dimpled balls used in commercial batting cages. They're designed for durability and tend to be harder. They're also used forever, so they may lose any elasticity they had over time.
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obbay
Banned
if the bat companies tell you not to hit Dimpled balls, why would you push your luck? also I had a coach tell everyone that the dimpled balls he was using were "soft" and safe for all bats. he was full of crap as they are the same as the commercial cages but I never heard of anyone breaking a bat in there. However, if a bat was broken at another time, sent back for warrantee replacement and they found it had been used to hit dimpled balls the warrantee would be out the window. I don't know how they could tell, and to each his own but I'm not taking the chance.
I do not think most dimple balls will damage a composite bat, but my DD has a practice bat (last years game bat) and a game bat in her bag, just in case. If your DD does hit dimple balls and you have a warranty issue with your her bat I would like to suggest wiping it down with a mild cleaning product before shipping it back to the factory.
I'm not sure how or why, but the dimple balls absolutely destroy the cheaper box store aluminum bats....I've never allowed any girls to practice hitting machine balls with their game bats.
WARRIORMIKE
Pro-Staff Everything
Jugs Sting frees are great to use in cages
Leave them out in the rain and sun for a few months and then check the weight. If you take care of them everything will be fine. If you let them get water logged and then bake them to a rock hard crust you will have a problem. Swing away.
