Unfortunately, I don't get to actually swing the Easton 2011 BD11XL Rival XXL (-9) Senior League Bat but judging from my son's response, the way it sounds when it connects with a baseball and results we see in power and batting average, this bat is a winner in my eyes. This bat was used during my son's 11U Travel ball season this past spring and he loved it.
Upgrading from the ComBat composite bat with the skinny barrel, the nice PING this THT100 alloy bat makes when it makes contact was a welcome sound compared to the dull THUD we would get from the ComBat. The other welcomed feature was the bigger barrel. At 2 5/8" the Easton Rival boasts an expanded sweet spot. Couple the bigger barrel with a thinner handle and the perfect amount of flex and you get a bat that provides greater bat speed and power through the hitting zone.
Even though we know a good swing is based on the hitter not the bat, the Easton Rival is a confidence boost for my son when he's using it. Just based on what he know he can do with it, this psychological advantage can't hurt him when he's at the plate. And the other thing that doesn't hurt is the sleek graphics and cool look the bat has.
There's nothing negative about this bat. My son has never complained of stinging in his hands like he has with other bats. And so far over the course of 80 plus games and thousands of swings in batting practice the bat has held up remarkably well.
Although not technical, another indicator of how the hitters feel about the bat is that my son's Rival was the most popular bat in the dugout. The other players also loved the bat and it's a testament to how they felt swinging it and what results they saw in their own game.
The best part for the parents...at $179.99 it's a great value, considering he may get two seasons use from it. But with that price, we may be upgrading to the Easton 2011 BD12XL Rival XXL (-5) Senior League Bat this upcoming season.
Upgrading from the ComBat composite bat with the skinny barrel, the nice PING this THT100 alloy bat makes when it makes contact was a welcome sound compared to the dull THUD we would get from the ComBat. The other welcomed feature was the bigger barrel. At 2 5/8" the Easton Rival boasts an expanded sweet spot. Couple the bigger barrel with a thinner handle and the perfect amount of flex and you get a bat that provides greater bat speed and power through the hitting zone.
Even though we know a good swing is based on the hitter not the bat, the Easton Rival is a confidence boost for my son when he's using it. Just based on what he know he can do with it, this psychological advantage can't hurt him when he's at the plate. And the other thing that doesn't hurt is the sleek graphics and cool look the bat has.
There's nothing negative about this bat. My son has never complained of stinging in his hands like he has with other bats. And so far over the course of 80 plus games and thousands of swings in batting practice the bat has held up remarkably well.
Although not technical, another indicator of how the hitters feel about the bat is that my son's Rival was the most popular bat in the dugout. The other players also loved the bat and it's a testament to how they felt swinging it and what results they saw in their own game.
The best part for the parents...at $179.99 it's a great value, considering he may get two seasons use from it. But with that price, we may be upgrading to the Easton 2011 BD12XL Rival XXL (-5) Senior League Bat this upcoming season.
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