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BBCOR Bat Vs Wood Bat – The Pros And Cons

Paul Hall March 30, 2023

Just as with every other bat, BBCOR bats and wood bats vary both in features and certain attributes.

Wood bats have been around for a much longer time than BBCOR, making the latter relatively new.

However, the BBCOR is constantly on the increase, being used mostly by youths in schools and colleges.

But does this mean that the BBCOR is replacing the wood bat?

Not at all, because wood bats are also popularly used and include many features that make them desirable.

Let’s discuss some of the main features and characteristics of both bats, and what sets them apart.

This can ultimately help you determine the efficiency of BBCOR bats vs wood bat’s, after which you may be able to better choose your preferred bat.

What Is A BBCOR Bat?

BBCOR is an abbreviation for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. This particular standard is used to test whether an alloy or composite bat meets certain rules and criteria.

Therefore, a BBCOR is a baseball bat which has met this criteria, and as a result can be certified as BBCOR.

The BBCOR standard measures how fast a ball bounces off a composite bat or an alloy bat after contact to obtain the bat’s trampoline effect.

A bat which can be certified as BBCOR must have a trampoline effect value which does not exceed 0.50.

The Reason For The BBCOR Bat Standard

This criteria and requirements were set up with the intent of removing some considerable problems which baseball bats caused.

Specifically, the BBCOR standard was aimed at composite and aluminum, or alloy, bats.

One problem that these bats had was that the baseball was bouncing off too quickly from the bat.

As a result, this situation frequently resulted in a risk of injuries.

The risk made it a major issue for both high school and college baseball players. Therefore, the BBCOR standard was set up in the year 2011.

It was created by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The BBCOR was able to prevent this particular issue in aluminum and composite bats being used in baseball games.

BBCOR Bat Features

Apart from a specific value of its trampoline effect, the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution also requires other specific features.

These features which a No products found. must have includes a diameter which is no more than 2 5/8 inches, and the length being no longer than 36 inches.

However, the most common length of a BBCOR bat is usually 33 inches, and 30 ounces in weight.

In addition, the drop weight of a BBCOR bat will never be higher than -3, or else it would not be considered a BBCOR bat.

As for the weight distribution of a BBCOR bat, there are two types involved. This includes end-loaded as well as balanced bats.

End-loaded bats will be heavier to hold up, especially near the end of a bat, and can be very powerful.

Balanced bats feel much lighter, with even weight distribution, which will result in faster swing speeds.

It is generally an aluminum BBCOR bat that will be end-loaded, while composite BBCOR bats will have even weight distribution.

However, some aluminum BBCOR bats can also be balanced rather than end-loaded.

Pros And Cons Of A BBCOR Bat

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Wood Bat Characteristics

Wood

No products found. can be made of several types of wood, including ash, birch, maple, hickory, and bamboo.

Birch is one of the most common choices of a wood bat, because of its hardness and flexibility alike.

Wood bats can have varying characteristics, including those of their knob, grip, taper, barrel, and end.

Knob

The standard knob of a wood bat is round, but this bat can also have a knob which is tapered, cone, or even axe styled.

Grib

Then there is the grip, or handle, which can either be thinner or thicker in a wood bat, depending on a player’s preference.

In the case of wood bats, thinner grips, or handles, seem to be on the increase.

A thinner grip makes for a bat which is more lightweight to hold, carry, and use during a game. This will result in faster swings.

However, a thinner grip also makes the wood bat more prone to breaking faster than a bat with a thicker grip.

Although much heavier, wood bats with thicker grips can be much more durable and less prone to breakage.

Taper

The taper of a wood bat (where the grip, or handle, meets the barrel of the bat) is often labelled on the bat.

Barrel And Sweet Spot

The barrel comes next, just above the taper, where the sweet spot can be located, also known as the impact point.

This sweet spot is the thickest part of the bat, which helps minimize vibration when a ball comes off that spot.

It can also help hit the ball just right, propelling it further and quicker upon impact.

The sweet spot in a wood bat is around 2 to 3 inches from the end of a bat. In an adult bat, it may be 6 to 7 inches in.

When it comes to the end of the wood bat, it can either have a full end of a cupped end.

Pros And Cons Of A Wood Bat

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BBCOR Bats Vs Wood Bats – What Are The Differences?

There are several differences which distinguish the BBCOR bat and the wood bat apart.

Material

The main difference is the materials which these bats are constructed with.

While a BBCOR bat is made out of composite or alloy materials, wood bats are made of certain types of wood.

This results on the efficiency of BBCOR bat coming from their technology.

Wood bats differ from BBCOR bat’s in the aspect that a player must rely on his own strength and ability during a game.

This is due to the lack of technology incorporated into the design of the wood bat.

As a result, wood bats are great at helping you develop your skills and performing better with time at games.

Break-in Period

Another difference between the two bats is the fact that unlike wood bats, BBCOR bats need to be broken in.

This usually requires around 150 to 200 or more hits before your bat reaches peak performance.

The need to break in your bat comes mainly comes from the fact that a lot of BBCOR bats are actually composite bats.

On the other hand, wooden bats are immediately good to use straight away as soon as you get them.

Weight

When it comes to the weight of the BBCOR bat and the wooden bat, the wooden is the heaviest one.

While some BBCOR bats tend to be heavier than others, the majority is rather light in weight.

On the other hand, a wooden bat is heavy, which results in more powerful hits, but swings that are not as fast.

This is why the wood bat is often used by professionals rather than youngsters, which may find the wood bat too heavy.

A wood bat also has a much smaller sweet spot than a BBCOR Bat.

Price

Lastly, another difference to note between BBCOR bats vs wood bats is their price points. There is a significant difference in the cost of each bat.

Wood bats can sometimes be quite expensive in themselves, but still cost only around $25 to $80.

On the other hand, a BBCOR Bat can cost anywhere from $100 up to $500.

BBCOR Bats Vs Wood Bats – Which Is Better?

When it comes down to comparing the BBCOR bat vs wood bat, they both have their pros and cons.

Ultimately, it is more to do with personal preference to determine which bat is better in the long run.

However, BBCOR bats are usually recommended for younger players such as in high school or college.

Wood bats, on the other hand, are most often used by adults and even professionals.

Advantages Of A Wooden Bat

One reason why BBCOR is most often used by younger players is because of its lighter weight.

Simply, wood bats may be too heavy and require some extra strength to use.

For this reason, the wood bat is better suited to adults who are able to use this bat despite its heavy weight.

Wood bats are also best for professionals because of their lesser velocity, and also lack of technology.

This allows them to use their own skills while competing in a game.

One aspect of the wood bat which makes it better for some people is its feel. This allows both professionals and regular baseball players to hit the ball just right.

Another reason why the wood bat is better in some ways is because it won’t require the breaking in period.

This is contrary to a lot of BBCOR bats, which are made of composite materials and thus require to be broken in.

A wooden bat will be better if you want to use your bat in a game straight after purchase.

Wooden bats are also much cheaper when compared to BBCOR bats. The latter is very expensive, and is not able to be afforded by everyone.

Advantages Of A BBCOR Bat

On the other hand, BBCOR baseball bats also have some advantages over the wood bat.

One of these advantages is that BBCOR bats have a higher damping rate, preventing stinging due to bat vibration.

Wood often may not have this attribute, and could therefore tend to sting some players’ hands during a game.

One other significant fact that makes the BBCOR bat better in some aspects is its durability. It tends to last a long time and be able to withstand a number of things.

Wooden bats are frequently prone to breakage and cracking, which could even result in splinters.

This is especially true of low quality wood bats, or those made of less dense wood prone to breakage.

One wood which seems to cause the wood bat to be more prone to breakage is maple.

Cold Weather Problems

However, when it comes to playing in different weather conditions, it is wood bats that seem to be better able to resist low temperatures.

BBCOR composite bats break and crack very easily whenever the temperature drops, or it is cold outside.

This doesn’t make them ideal for usage in a cold climate or during colder months of the year.

Conclusion

All in all, when it comes to choosing BBCOR bats vs wood bats, which one is the better option?

Wood bats are better for those who want to skip the breaking in period of a bat. They are also better for those who want to enhance their baseball skills and abilities.

The heaviness of the bat also generates more power, and can help build muscles while playing consistently.

Wood bats can even help you get a better precision on hits due to the feel of bat..

BBCOR bats are more durable, not just because of their materials, but also because of their numerous testings. They are not as prone to breaking and cracking.

They are also safer in some ways, and won’t sting your hands like other bats.

It is for these reasons that they are still often used in high schools and colleges despite their high price point.