Well, 2 of my kids are playing baseball in the city rec league this year, a 9 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. I decided that my kids needed their own bat this season, since they both batted below league average last year. I subscribe to the moneyball theory in baseball and use lots of analytics to determine how well my kids are playing. After watching their swings and carefully tracking the results of where the balls they hit ended up, I was able to determine that the bats they were using weren't right for them. Luckily, after seeing what the team provided for them last year, the bats were too big and heavy. I took the kids to the batting cages and tested out several lengths and weights and found that 26 inches long and 16 oz was the perfect bat size for both kids.
After a little shopping around on amazon, it was clear to me that the Easton S50 was the best option for my kids. The color is perfect, even though it might skew a little bit toward the female side. My son is colorblind, and this red color is one of his favorites and seems to pop for him. I think that having a color and look that you like is key for a kid in baseball, so make sure that this color scheme is okay with your kids. When my kids saw this bat for the first time, they were so excited to hold the bat in their hands and the confidence was already overflowing. My son said that he was going to bash the ball, like Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds. He was very excited. I set my kids on a daily routine of hitting tennis balls off of a tee in the backyard. Once both of them hit 75-100 balls per day, I would then pitch another 30-50 balls to them and have them hit. The bat is perfectly balanced and my kids really started to crush the ball. My daughter even hit the cover off of one of the tennis balls, just like it was straight out of the movie "The Natural". I knew that this bat was going to be the difference maker my kids needed.
So fast forward a few weeks to the first week of the season. Both kids went 4 for 4 on opening day, including 3 home runs and 9 total RBI. My son was carried around on teammates' shoulders after a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning that sealed the victory for his team. Both of my kids had arrived in the rec league and I am anxious to see how the rest of the season turns out. To this point, (4 games played) my kids are both batting in the high .800s and have driven in more runs and been on base more than any other kids on their teams. They are crushing the ball and I think that it is the result of having this incredible bat. One jealous mother did try and steal our bat the other day, since my kids don't let anyone else touch it. My son was even yelling at a kid on another team and telling him not to even look at his bat. He was very aggressive and got in the kids face, I wasn't sure where the rage came from but was glad that he protected what was his.
So, we love this bat and think that it is the key to the success that my kids have been having. I will update as the season progresses.
* UPDATE* (End of Season) - Well, the end of the season came early for both of my kids. Who knew that they would do PED testing in rec league baseball since they don't even do it in the Major Leagues??? Both of my kids were on a steady diet of steroids and HGH, which I don't think had any impact on how far they were hitting the ball. Some parents were complaining b/c the 'roid rage outbursts continued throughout the season and ultimately ended with my daughter fighting the entire coaching staff of another team. It ended with 3 men having to hold her down after she had knocked out 2 others, but to be fair, I think that she was in the right charging the mound. The brushback pitch was very far inside, and she had hit 2 home runs already. I think that these other teams were just jealous of the bat that we had and started complaining to the league officials. Stupid, but it is the world that we live in.
Buy this bat though, you won't regret it!!!
| Size | 29"/19 oz |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Brand | Easton |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Skill Level | All |
| Age Range (Description) | Youth |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 29 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.52 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 28.38 x 4.25 x 2.5 inches |
| Brand Name | Easton |
| Suggested Users | boys |
| Manufacturer | Easton Sports, Inc. |
| Part Number | A11282029 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
