Batting machine bat

[left turn]

My DD has a Demarini CF5 33/23. We use the batting machine to help improve the ability to hit fast pitching. I know batting machine balls will damage the Demarini. I checked wood bats but they are a drop 2 or 3 and the weight distribution is different.

What bat should my DD use in the cage?
- Use wood and just deal with the difference in weight and distribution?
- Buy a cheap 33/23 just for the cages?

How are you folks solving this problem?

 

[MsDinosaur]

I bought a cheap used aluminum alloy bat off eBay for my DD.

 

[elamber22]

I'd go the aluminum route as well. Check out your local Ross, Marshalls, or even Walmart as well for cheap aluminum bats.

 

[IACoach]

Yes - Ebay is the way to go. Last year I found my daughter a brand new Combat Virus Morphed composite that had a couple of chips in the paint - $25 by it now - jumped all over it! I still can't believe it. If it broke who cares. Now it collects dust as she moved into a larger bat.

 

[PA SB Dad]

Play It Again Sports is always a good bet to find an extra bat.

 

[quincy]

DD’s XENO seems heaver then a normal aluminum bat so she has a little bit larger aluminum bat to use in the cages. She can not hit anyways so what do I know.

 

[Bags]

Please help me understand why a batting machine will hurt this CF5?

 

[GunnerShotgun]

Only hit softballs with your $200 composite bat. Your wallet will thank you.

It's not the batting machine per say but the balls they shoot out.

 

[Bags]

Still confused as to why a rubber ball will affect them? Just curious? Since the break in period is around 500 balls i would have thought using it more means better results?

 

[softballphreak]

IMO, the only bats that would be harmed in a batting cage would be the jointed bats. Even then it would just speed up the wear on the joint.

That's assuming that the cage balls are decent. No gritty balls or excessively hard balls.

Anyone ever notice what a beating the bats take between bats—and batters. Many girls have the very bad habit of hitting their metal cleats with the bat while they're in the on-deck circle. Not to mention how the bat is thrown back to the dugout.