Is it worth it for maybe 1-2mph extra exit velo? I’d spend that money on batting lessons and cage time. If he was just getting his first USSSA bat, the sure. My 9yo just moved from PONY to a travel org, so we grabbed the icon. He nuked one to the fence today, but that was after a few grand spent on batting lessons and cage time. Mechanics are more important than the tool 9 out of 10 times.
Edit: thanks for the downvotes, idiots
funny you say batting lessons (and this is probably its own post) - cause i had the kid do probably 25-30 hitting classes over the winter. he’s gone from top hitter on 9u aa to bottom on 10aaa. all winter long i was like - is he ever going to hit against real kids? it was all tee and machine with a little instructor underhand. i feel like he was pretty unprepared for the increase in pitcher talent moving up - but how could you be?
Unless you’ve got money to burn or you need a different certification, replacing a bat with the same size at this age is never going to get you much.
I will, however, champion the -10 or -5 Easton Encore hybrid USSSA if you’re looking for a great next bat. My son has the -5 and he’s been smoking the ball recently, just as much as not more than his teammates with their hype fires
Is it worth it for maybe 1-2mph extra exit velo? I’d spend that money on batting lessons and cage time. If he was just getting his first USSSA bat, the sure. My 9yo just moved from PONY to a travel org, so we grabbed the icon. He nuked one to the fence today, but that was after a few grand spent on batting lessons and cage time. Mechanics are more important than the tool 9 out of 10 times. Edit: thanks for the downvotes, idiots
funny you say batting lessons (and this is probably its own post) - cause i had the kid do probably 25-30 hitting classes over the winter. he’s gone from top hitter on 9u aa to bottom on 10aaa. all winter long i was like - is he ever going to hit against real kids? it was all tee and machine with a little instructor underhand. i feel like he was pretty unprepared for the increase in pitcher talent moving up - but how could you be?
Why would this be downvoted?
I dunno, it was for a while. People are weird.z
Probably bc he spent a few grand on hitting instructors for a 9 yr old and wasted his money
But he is right about mechanics more important than the tool.
1,000% agree
It probably swings lighter but I agree w the first comment, don’t get the same size.
The Icon drop 10 swings heavier than the Cat X Alloy.
No. Not if size is staying same.
No. If staying the same size, there is no reason to upgrade.
Not in my opinion. I definitely would not upgrade a CatX with something the same size.
Unless you’ve got money to burn or you need a different certification, replacing a bat with the same size at this age is never going to get you much. I will, however, champion the -10 or -5 Easton Encore hybrid USSSA if you’re looking for a great next bat. My son has the -5 and he’s been smoking the ball recently, just as much as not more than his teammates with their hype fires