Composite bats are similar to aluminum bats in the way they are designed, but the different materials and internal structure can yield different results when using a composite vs. traditional aluminum. While aluminum bats have been the most commonly used bats at nonprofessional levels, technology advancements have enabled composite bat makers to produce a product that can exceed the performance of aluminum bats, in some situations. There are several benefits associated with this new breed of bat.
Easier Weight Control
Bats are easier to swing closer the balance midpoint is to the handle. In aluminum bats, weight is more difficult to move around since the bat is composed of one single metal. But since composite bats are made of multiple materials--usually graphite and fiberglass--weight can be moved around with greater ease to achieve that balance. Composite bats can also achieve a lighter overall weight than aluminum bats. This will increase the top overall speed at which a player can swing the bat, making for higher-velocity hits.
Tuning
Composite bats produce a much better trampoline effect when impacting a baseball than aluminum bats. Single-walled aluminum bats can only increase their trampoline effect by thinning the walls--however, this will quickly wear out the bat and reduce its trampoline effect. Thinning an aluminum bat can also disrupt the weight balance. However, composite bats have elastic qualities that allow them to be tuned without disrupting the weight balance, enabling the trampoline effect in these bats to be adjusted over time. The stiffness of composite bats can also be tuned to adjust how much shock is transferred from the ball impact to your hands. This gives manufacturers a lot of flexibility in how they can customize composite bats for baseball players, in turn giving players many more options.
Vibration Damping
Vibration is produced when a ball makes contact with the bat. These vibrations can transfer into your hands, wrists and forearms and can be painful or uncomfortable. Damping is the rate at which the vibrations from contact with the ball fizzles out. Composite bats have vibration damping rates that can be twice as high as aluminum bats, reducing the strain and stress batting places on your hands.
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