NBD - On The Ghost Train

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May 13, 2013
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DD hit the longest ball Ive ever seen her hit today around 250 ft in a HS preseason game. Don't think I'll ever get this Ghost away from her even if there does become any reliability issues. Had the same situation with the '14 first LXT model. Thing was smoking.
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,219
113
USA
We have both a CFX and a Ghost here (34/24) since late last summer and as far as I know know cracks or damage. The CFX was a warranty replacement for a CF8 Delta Force edition (both DDs loved that bat, broke it at a tourney in Austin last summer). Hit a grand slam with the CFX after relatively little use. Didn't seem like a dud then? I will say it doesn't "seem" as hot as the ghost when they hit with both of them side by side...figured it still needed to open up a bit. We still have a couple older Easton Makos that we use for most tee work, front toss, etc., during the winter months. Core was absolutely correct when he suggested that bat for my kids and called it a "tank"!
 

CoreSoftball20

Wilson = Evil Empire
DFP Vendor
Dec 27, 2012
6,215
113
Kunkletown, PA
Just so I can be different. My DD absolutely HATED her Ghost. Didn't like the way it swung or the sweet spot. Was it all in her head? Probably. But then most of softball is all in your head.

She sold it and went back to her CF9 which she adores and mashes the ball with. Probably going to buy a couple of spare CF9's for her if I can find a decent price.

Hitting is all feel.

Heck, I usually like bats that hardly any others like...haha
 

CoreSoftball20

Wilson = Evil Empire
DFP Vendor
Dec 27, 2012
6,215
113
Kunkletown, PA
DD hit the longest ball Ive ever seen her hit today around 250 ft in a HS preseason game. Don't think I'll ever get this Ghost away from her even if there does become any reliability issues. Had the same situation with the '14 first LXT model. Thing was smoking.

I think Shawn (YOCOACH) put it best in one of his long winded posts :) (We poke fun at each other so Im allowed to say that)

With performance, you give up certain things. BUT, do you want the best bat in your dd's hands or not? I enjoyed how every year everybody says all the bats are the
same and nothing new can come out and be any better. Now a bat does come out hotter and better, some bats break while going thru the growing process and some want
to complain. Heck, the other bats had breaks as well.
 

panthadad2

fastpitch pops
Jun 27, 2017
144
18
Is there a bat available out there that is VERY similar to the Ghost in swing feel (weight and end-weighting) but is more durable and could be used for BP? The other bats in DD's bag the same size 33/23 have different swing weighting (2015 LXT is .6 oz lighter and slightly less end weighted - and 2016 Xeno has identical weight but is much less end weighted).

My daughter loves her Ghost, but she's now going into her 3rd bat in about 8-9 months. I've read many here advise to not use the game bat in batting practice. However, DD's main two instructors are former NCAA coaches and are pretty old school when it comes to batting practice; game balls only (no machine), soft toss and coach toss behind the screen, tee work. They want the girls to use the same type of bat for BP that they use in games to get the best feel. Even though I nag my daughter to use older bats in BP, she still uses her Ghost for pretty much all live hitting. I'm tempted to not get the warranty return for the current cracked Ghost and have her use it for BP, then buy a new one for games only. But there's no guarantee my DD would cooperate with that and I'm not sure if using a cracked bat for BP would be a safety issue. Any thoughts on a similar BP bat?
 
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CoreSoftball20

Wilson = Evil Empire
DFP Vendor
Dec 27, 2012
6,215
113
Kunkletown, PA
That's weird...because the Xenos weigh over an ounce heavier than sticker weight and ghosts come in around .5-.9 over for the most part.

I have told people to look for the white/light blue Makos to hit in BP...those are close and complete tanks and go for cheap.

And thank you for admitting she uses her Ghost for everything...some don't :)

Honestly, I would tell the hitting instructors to buy the bats then...because they are also old school
in equipment knowledge as well.
 
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panthadad2

fastpitch pops
Jun 27, 2017
144
18
That's weird...because the Xenos weigh over an ounce heavier than sticker weight and ghosts come in around .5-.9 over for the most part....

Honestly, I would tell the hitting instructors to buy the bats then...because they are also old school
in equipment knowledge as well.

Both the Ghost and 2016 Xeno are 23.6 oz. The 2015 LXT is dead on 23.0 (a tenth or two might be worn grip). Thanks for the tip on the Mako. I'll dig around a little.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
I think Shawn (YOCOACH) put it best in one of his long winded posts :) (We poke fun at each other so Im allowed to say that)

With performance, you give up certain things. BUT, do you want the best bat in your dd's hands or not? I enjoyed how every year everybody says all the bats are the
same and nothing new can come out and be any better. Now a bat does come out hotter and better, some bats break while going thru the growing process and some want
to complain. Heck, the other bats had breaks as well.

Hmmm....now where did I put that emoji of the fist with the middle finger sticking up?:D

Absolutely true though. ALL bats break at some point or another...especially when it's all new tech and hasn't been refined yet. The CF7's and later models, the Worth Legit2s, the Xenos and LXts all had problems when first introduced and were the hottest bats of their time. I wouldn't expect anything less with any other new bat or manufacturer that was the new hottest.
 
Sep 29, 2010
1,082
83
Knoxville, TN
Is there a bat available out there that is VERY similar to the Ghost in swing feel (weight and end-weighting) but is more durable and could be used for BP? The other bats in DD's bag the same size 33/23 have different swing weighting (2015 LXT is .6 oz lighter and slightly less end weighted - and 2016 Xeno has identical weight but is much less end weighted).

My daughter loves her Ghost, but she's now going into her 3rd bat in about 8-9 months. I've read many here advise to not use the game bat in batting practice. However, DD's main two instructors are former NCAA coaches and are pretty old school when it comes to batting practice; game balls only (no machine), soft toss and coach toss behind the screen, tee work. They want the girls to use the same type of bat for BP that they use in games to get the best feel. Even though I nag my daughter to use older bats in BP, she still uses her Ghost for pretty much all live hitting. I'm tempted to not get the warranty return for the current cracked Ghost and have her use it for BP, then buy a new one for games only. But there's no guarantee my DD would cooperate with that and I'm not sure if using a cracked bat for BP would be a safety issue. Any thoughts on a similar BP bat?
IMO, different brand bats have a different feel. It makes sense to use an Easton BP bat with an Easton gamer. The best deal I found for a BP bat for the Ghost was the FP11SY10 Synergy. It is a one piece bat so, no connection issues. It is a tank. DD says it swings exactly like her Ghost. I found a nice used one that was like new for $60 and after a winter of BP (3-4,000 swings) and now getting outside it is hitting right with the Ghost. I’m afraid this BP bat will be her gamer by summer travel, lol! DD said it’s starting to feel more and more like her old 1B’s, which is all she hit before the “voluntary removal”. It is also the first Easton full run that had the USSSA thumbprint. We never play USSSA, but for those that do I believe it would be a great choice.
 

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