What promise makes you buy a bat?

[dsore1218]

What gets you cranked up on a new piece of equipment? Distance, control, feel, quality & longevity, the brand or something unique to you?

My sons seem to buy into Coach Speech #11 - The more comfortable you are swinging the bat, the farther you will hit and the more control you will have. They go for feel and have not really been hung up on a brand in bats. The season just ended so they are adjusting bats.

Oldest son just passed his Catalyst to son #2. Oldest boy has a friend that just left on a scholarship who gave him his warranty replacement of the Easton Stealth Comp. #2 needs a balanced bat and loves the Catalyst. Oldest boy feels that he can control the end weighted Stealth. We will see but I suspect they may be right.

Gloves are a different story. Oldest son loves a custom glove and uses a SAF right now, had a Wilson 3000 that tore on the inside. His first base mitt is a Rawlings Pro Preferred that a rep gave him.

Second son plays multiple positions. First base - Zett, which is probably his favorite glove. It was just stolen. Catcher - Wilson A2000. Pitch - Rawlings Pro Preferred. Infield - Rawlings Gold Glove. Outfield - Wilson A2K. His explanation is the Zett is heavily oiled and stops the spin on the ball at first better than the Pro Preferred. He has had a Wilson A2000 for 4 years now at catcher and loves it like an old friend. He has not caught for a year now. The Pro Preferred for the mound is a little heavier and allows for the constant thump on the return throw of the catcher. He likes the lighter Gold Glove for the infield - better feel. The outfield is for his Wilson A2K that a rep sold me for $75. He can slide it to the end of the hand for a little larger mitt area.

So are your bats tools or are you swinging a promise?

[patrickpiteo]

My son loves his Primo infield glove. Is it expensive Yes but it is a real nice glove. The leather some of the best I have seen. It also took no time to break-in.

[jtpedro224]

most deffinately feel. it doesnt matter how expensive or how hyped. it has to feel good to the person using it.

[scuzy93]

the Primo is the best glove you can buy. hands down.

[Bat Monster]

yeah, but if somebody is looking for a nice glove and custom, go to barrazapro.com, the gloves are 170 plus like an additoinal cheep fee for customizing, you can choose soft or hard leather colors webbing, the whole nine yards and the final cost will be half of the primo. and you will have bragging rights because the gloves every component is hand made thus making the shipping and stuff a month or two

[dear ol dad]

Primo is no doubt awesome, but only if it is the LAST glove you are going to buy. In my opinion not the glove for a young baller. Mizuno makes the best gloves and cleats in my experience.

[tica]

Take the markings and branding off, arrange them them all on a big table, and there will be players who pick the $49.95 glove as their favorite every time. Baseball equipment makers have learned what electronics and food manufacturers already know, it's the marketing. I saw team after team this year swing a $119 Nike Aero Torque. They could have used any bat they wanted but they used the Torque - that's because it's battle tested and a proven performer. Teams had composite bats, just did not use them. Its' easy to get caught up in the rush. Can't imagine why anyone would buy a bat or glove now, they will be 20 - 40 percent cheaper next spring.

[dear ol dad]

Tica you mabe right. most kids will choose the soft floppy 49.99 glove because they have a hard time imagining what the stiff 150.00 glove will feel like when it is broken in properly
For Sure you get what you you pay for! If you want to buy a new floppy every two years that is your call. personally i'd rather buy a glove he can trust for years