CF3 vs. EXO vs. ? x-mas...

[Dave James]

Hello, first post here wondering about the DeMarini cf3 - 11 . I've heard it's got better durability than the catalyst and is better for all round hitting than the exo -12. My son (11 yrs.) has been wanting the exo -12 or catalyst -10 or -12 for a while and is due for a new bat (currently w/ older stealth) so I looked into most options and thought the cf3 might be best. He's a good contact hitter w/ decent power and enjoys using wood bats for practice + does low impact strength training but faces pretty fast pitching so wants to stay light one more year. Will be x-mas surprise so I don't want to screw up. Thanks in advance for any input. Bat size would be 31", 20 oz. for the cf3.

[dad_3420]

I bought my son who will be 11y/o in April, a -10 (2 1/4") Catalyst towards the end of last season and he hit better with that bat than any other we have had. Sorry no input on the CF3 but I can tell you the the Catalyst is a very evenly weighted bat. I did purchase a LCN5 Easton -9 for this Christmas trying to increase the weight every year.

[Dave James]

I definitly think the catalyst -10/ 30" would be good but have heard about them breaking and had heard the f3 was more durable. During the little league season once he gets a big hit his bat always becomes the one half the team wants to use plus he hits a ton of b.p. so durability would be nice. Also, what is the lifespan of these composite bats as far as dimishing performance? Thanks, Dave

[dad_3420]

I bought him a Easton LCN4 -11 probably 2 years ago and I would agree that there was something, the bat seemed to lose some pop. We live in the northeast and the fall season then the winter in and out of the garage seemed to take it's toll on that composite. I bought the Anderson Tech from reading all the rave reviews here, but the bat is too end loaded for my son at least. You need to really be banging the sweet spot, no forgiveness. So we use that for batting pratice, hitting off the tee in the basement, hands back hitter, etc. So far the Catalyst has held up although a few kids from all-stars did start swinging it at the end the regular season, so we'll see. I do think the 30" bat is the right size , his LCN5 -9 Easton I got off E-Bay at a great price(new) and that is 31" but I'm thinking towards the end of the season.

[Dave James]

Thanks for the input. I got him the cf3 and will report back how it works for him. I think it will be a good transition with length for L.L. 08' until fall ball next year when he should probably go to a heavier bat heading into his last season of L.L. 09'. He's only broken a few wood bats but still may need to get his swing perfected more to be as effective with an Anderson tech model bat IMHO.

[krew]

Dave keep us updated on the cf3. That is the bat I am looking at getting for my son. Curious to see how well it performs.

[Dave James]

He will get it on the 25th, but we are going to be out of town. He does b.p. and game speed hitting almost every week and is really into it so I can guarantee some feedback by mid January and will be happy to post it here. He usually uses wood bats also so I know the difference between those and the old stealth and will definitly give an honest comparison to the cf3. Happy holidays:)

[krew]

Thanks Dave! I'll be watching this thread. Have a Merry Christmas! Mike

[Dave James]

Well this may be a case of getting what you paid for ( at least my initial impression). 1. Very large sweet spot which turns jam jobs into 120' base hits. 2. Nice wood sound with no vibration at all/quality feel + may be slightly end loaded. 3. Ball comes off bat well and accellerates beyond anything we've ever owned (L screen saved a few comas I can usually catch or dodge)-third base coach/pitcher/runner on second be alert as always. 4. Distance is about 15'+ per good hit better but I think when he gets used to it that may be conservative on a good bomb. 5. Finish is permanently scratched/rubbed all over sweet spot area after about 200 hits, and I'm curious on the life span of this bat and if the performance goes down after months of use so if anybody out there knows let me know so we can save some life for games.
Thanks and Happy New Year, Dave

[Speedy42]

I'm glad to see yet another good review for the CF3. That's the bat I want to get my son for travel ball. Besides it'll look good with his uniform which is scarlet and black.:D