need opinions on the Catalyst

[fastpitchdad8]

The area we live in does'nt have anywhere that we can test new bats before buying. My DD used a composite Vendetta 30-18 last year and it's time for a new bat. Shes 5-2 90 lbs. Just turned 12 recently.
Can anyone with any experience with the catalyst give me any good/bad thoughts on this bat ?

Sale! Buy Louisville Catalyst Fastpitch Bat FP11C -10 oz 2011 REVIEWS: FREE SHIPPING Drop Drop-10 inch/oz Length/Weight 30/20 inch/oz 31/21 inch/oz 32/22 inch/oz 33/23 inch/oz 34/24 inch/oz

I looking to by a 31-21

thanks

 

[alexander58]

In the pst there has been a high incidence of breaking in catalysts. Check reviews. I know justbats.com has a review page.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I use the old yellow Cat. 32, 22. It is really nice, now that it is opened up. Mine took some breaking in. I just loaned it out to a 13 YO. I could actually use a 2nd one or a 33, 23.

 

[Craig]

My DD used to have the -12 version of the new Catalyst. It was supposed to be hot right out of the wrapper but was extremely dead. Everything she hit with it was a slow roller in the infield. She switched to a CF4 Black and immediately started hitting shots to the outfield.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Is her CF4 a -12, too? I am not familiar with a -12 Catalyst, but the original -10 is a very good bat. I find most -12s too light for good hitters.

 

[Coach JV]

The cf4 comes in -9 or -10

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I know. I think she moved up either 2 or 3 ounces in weight.

 

[Craig]

The CF4 is a -10. I doubt the difference in weight could make that much of a difference in distance and pop. When I throw her batting practice I can hear the sizzle off the ball screaming past my head on line drives. I never heard that from hits with the Catalyst. I have no doubt the old Catalysts are great bats, which is why I bought one to begin with. However, I'm not convinced the new ones are very good.

 

[Greenmonsters]

The CF4 is a -10. I doubt the difference in weight could make that much of a difference in distance and pop. When I throw her batting practice I can hear the sizzle off the ball screaming past my head on line drives. I never heard that from hits with the Catalyst. I have no doubt the old Catalysts are great bats, which is why I bought one to begin with. However, I'm not convinced the new ones are very good.

While 2 oz may not seem like much, it's a mass increase of 10.5% (21 oz v. 19oz)! Assuming she swings the new, heavier bat as fast as the old, lighter bat, and considering Force = mass X acceleration, the increased mass translates corresponds directly to the same % increase in force, which results in more distance and pop i.e., what had been a 180 fly out becomes a 200 ft fence scraper.

 

[Craig]

While 2 oz may not seem like much, it's a mass increase of 10.5% (21 oz v. 19oz)! Assuming she swings the new, heavier bat as fast as the old, lighter bat, and considering Force = mass X acceleration, the increased mass translates corresponds directly to the same % increase in force, which results in more distance and pop i.e., what had been a 180 fly out becomes a 200 ft fence scraper.

That makes sense but the 10% increase in mass shouldn't change a slow roller in the infield to a warning track shot. YMMV but in our case, at least the -12 2010 Catalyst was a complete dud and the CF4 lived up to its billing.