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Glossary of Bat Terms



DROP: Refers to the differential between the length and weight of a bat. As an example a (-)3 bat would be a 30in. length 27oz. weight bat.

HYBRID: Combination of composite and alloy.

ONE PIECE CONSTRUCTION: The bat is designed as a single unit.

TWO PIECE CONSTRUCTION: The bat is designed as two separate units, then fused together to form one unit.

SINGLE WALL: Bat barrel is designed with one layer of material.

DOUBLE WALL: Bat barrel is designed with two layers of material.

HALF AND HALF TECHNOLOGY: The barrel of the bat is made of one material while the handle of the bat is made of another.

SWEET SPOT: Is the spot on the barrel were you receive the maximum trampoline effect and maximum bat inertia

BAT PERFORMANCE FACTOR (BPF): Most aluminum bats have BPF values near 1.20 and some super high performing bats have BPF values around 1.30 or higher. The legal limit set by USSSA, ISF and NSF is BPF 1.20, we'll discuss the ASA in the softball section. Little League youth bats must pass with a BPF rating of 1.15 or lower.

BESR (BALL EXIT SPEED RATIO): A tested by both the NCAA and the NFHS. The test uses a special machine which swings a bat at a ball moving at 70 mph. After impact the ball passes through a radar detection unit which measures speed of the ball after it's hit.

LONG BARREL PROFILE: Refers to a bat with the maximum legal diameter measuring the longest from the end cap to a point where the barrel begins to taper down providing larger contact surface and theoretically a larger sweet spot.

VARIABLE WALL THICKNESS: This process allows the manufacturer to put stronger, thicker areas next to thinner areas and is purported by the bat maker to make the bat less likely to dent.

BARREL: The portion of the bat opposite of the handle.

TAPER: Refers to the handle diameter which fit a player's hands comfortably providing a good grip. Most bats taper is 31/32 of an inch with some being 29/32 of an inch.

GRIP: Bat manufacturer's use leather, synthetic leather, composite material or rubber on the tapered end of the bat where the player grips the bat to swing.

END CAP: The cap at the end of the barrel, which helps retain bat structure.