****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I've been able to try out a variety of USA branded youth bats while helping with my son's baseball team, and I purchased this model based on reviews on the internet, without trying it in person. When it came in, I first used it to hit to players, and it's got a lot of distance for the same amount of effort compared to other youth bats. It's very easy to hit far, as an adult.From talking to the 9 year old players use it, they feel like it's heavier than is by ounces because it seems like all the weight is in the barrel, towards the end. Mizuno says this is a hybrid bat (composite handle, aluminum barrel), so while all of that makes sense based on their marketing, some players are not comfortable because they are used to a balance where the whole bat has weight, not just the barrel. Since it's different, some players don't like it. Some parents guess that it's heavier than the label suggests because the balance is so end weighted. I put it on a digital scale and the advertised weight is accurate.My take is that the bat is awesome ? . I like the end weight feel. Barrel hits are buttery smooth, straight through the ball and really launch. As an adult, bat for bat, I can throw this up and hit it father than any of the other bats my son has or the bats I borrowed from other kids. It has tons of pop and a loud high pitch sound, like a Ping driver.The feel is unique, different from the two piece $300+ Easton and Louisville models I tried. I personally feel like it swings "heavier", but I also think it goes father, so it's a risk/reward. A lot of baseball is barrel speed and timing, so if your player comes around late because they think it's heavier, no claim about distance matters. Try one out of you can, I think it's a good bat for the player who likes the idea of something where all the weight is towards the end. When you use it against actual pitches, that different feel is apparent. Your player might like something more balanced towards the middle of the bat, as many of my son's teammates do. It's not for everyone.
