The Effect Of Distance With Composite Or Aluminum Bats

Mass produced metal bats have been on the market since 1985, and though professional baseball doesn't allow the use of metal bats, amateur leagues the world over have been using them with regularity. Composite and aluminum bats have revolutionized the game of baseball on nearly all levels because of its unmatched weight to length ratio, its durability and its performance.

Bat Speed

A study conducted in 2003 by Daniel Russell at Kettering University found the speed of a bat when it makes contact with a bat directly relates to the distance the ball travels. What separates aluminum and composite bats from wooden bats is the ability to make bats significantly lighter, thus allowing batters to swing the bat at higher speeds. The weight of wooden bats, which are often made from ash or maple, typically comes out to approximately 2 to 3 oz. less than the length of the bat in inches. Aluminum and composite bats on the other hand, can be made with a differential as high as 12 oz. less than length in inches, allowing youth players to use larger bats that weigh significantly less than a wooden counterpart.

Trampoline Effect

When a ball is hit by a solid wood bat, the ball loses much of its energy after impact because the wood of the bat has zero give. When a ball is hit by a hollow aluminum or composite bat, the bat has a slight give and acts as a springboard for the ball, causing it to lose less energy. What's more, composite bats have the ability for this trampoline effect to be tuned to allow for more of a spring-like action upon impact.

Sweet Spot

In all bats an area exists where the ball will lose as little energy as possible upon impact, typically located 1 to 2 inches from the end of the bat and moving approximately 6 inches down the shaft. This area is commonly referred to as the "sweet spot" regardless of the bat material. Wood and aluminum bats have a certain set sweet spot that can't be altered or moved. Composite bats, however, can be custom-designed to extend the sweet spot down toward the handle, allowing for a higher chance of a solid hit on inside pitches.

Center of Balance

The weight of the bat doesn't always directly affect the speed in which you are able to swing it. In all bats there is a center of balance, and the closer that center of balance is to the handle, the lighter the barrel of the bat will feel, thus, the easier it is to whip the bat around faster. Wood and aluminum bats have a specific set center of balance, whereas composite bats, just like the sweet spot, allow for more customization during the manufacturing process. That's why a 32 oz. wood bat and a 32 oz. composite bat occasionally feel different when you swing them.

Warning

If a ball is traveling faster upon impact after leaving an aluminum or composite bat, then the ball will travel farther. Several leagues have banned all non-wood bats because of a rise in injuries stemming from low line drives. A technologically advanced aluminum bat that scorches a 110 mph eye-level line drive might not leave enough time for an amateur third baseman to react before it hits him. It's always best to check with your local league bat regulations before spending an exorbitant amount of money on a nice new metal bat.