Curious about what brand of bats are used in MLB? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the preferred bat brands used by MLB players, uncovering the names that have become synonymous with power and precision. From iconic names to rising stars, join us on a journey to discover the top bat brands making an impact in the world of professional baseball. Get ready to swing into the exciting realm of MLB bat brands!
How Many Games in the MLB Season?
MLB is a professional baseball league in North America. It is often considered the highest level of professional baseball in the world. Two leagues make up the MLB: the American League and the National League.
MLB currently has 30 teams, 29 from the United States and one from Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays. Each team in Major League Baseball plays a 162-game season. The season starts in April and ends in October.
Teams play mostly against other teams in their own division and play very few games against teams from other leagues. Teams usually play each other in a series of three or four games at a time.
If a game is canceled due to inclement weather, it may be played later, sometimes as part of a doubleheader. Sometimes these games are not played again if it does not affect either team’s place in the standings.
Why Do They Use Wood Bats in MLB?
There are many reasons why MLB players use only wooden baseball bats. MLB began in the 1800s, and after that, professional players used wooden bats.
As the years have passed, this has become an immutable tradition, and players, whether they like it or not, use a wooden bat in deference to this ongoing MLB culture.
- Wood bats have a lower, more limited frequency and speed when they hit a ball than metal bats.
- The most commonly used wood is maple. It is a strong, durable, and solid wood that packs a lot of variety, but it can absorb moisture, which makes the bat heavier with time.
- When players used composite or metal bats, they usually modified or manipulated them to improve their game performance. For example, they might change their bat by shaving the inside of it. Such changes were unfair and would pose a harmful hazard to spectators and other players around the field. Because wooden bats cannot be modified, they are strictly enforced on every player in the MLB.
- Ash wood is similar to birch wood in that it is softer, more flexible, and more forgiving. Ash tends to dry out over the life of the bat so it tends to be less durable and is not the best choice for players who are not experienced in using wooden baseball bats.
- A metal bat helps even the most average player to make a nice shot. However, the wooden bat is when your baseball playing skills and abilities are really put to the test. Because of this, it is a great way to determine which players are eligible to be chosen so that only the greatest can play in the MLB.
- A baseball bat made of birch wood is more flexible and softer, making it more forgiving and becoming more durable for each use. The softer wood, however, necessitates a longer break-in period before a birch baseball bat is suitable for use in actual games.
- Players often break their bats during games or practice and have to replace them. Thus, such frequent replacements can be very expensive. However, since the production cost of wooden bats is lower than other materials, they are an affordable replacement.
Brands of Bats Used in MLB
Louisville Slugger
The Louisville Slugger holds the title of the official baseball bat of major league baseball. Beginning in 2002, the Louisville Slugger began making Major League bats on a CNC machine operated by one of the most experienced bat makers.
The benefit of CNC is that it consistently produces perfect bats. After the bat enters the CNC, it is branded with a specific code, such as “D181,” which means that it is the 181st model of the bat made for a player whose last name begins with D.
The bats are then covered in lacquer to give them a shiny surface. Their bats are the second-most commonly used by Major League baseball players with more than 18% of all players opting for sluggers.
They use all kinds of wood, including maple and ash, to produce a variety of bats that represent the most popular materials in professional ranks.
Some of the big names among baseball and emerging young stars opt for a Louisville slugger bats.
Marucci
Marucci is the most popular baseball bat brand used by major leaguers for 2023. About 26% of all Major League Baseball players come to the plate with a bat made by this popular manufacturer.
Marucci bats maintains their own mill in Pennsylvania so, they only get the highest quality maple or ash.
Each billet is individually checked for perfect grain lines. Those flawless billets are then cut into bats one by one using a large lathe. Next, they are sanded to perfection and painted by hand. Bats are hung to dry before personalization and finishing.
The player’s name and model are engraved on the barrel, a label is applied to the taper, and the knob is stamped with a shape or personalized initials. Each bat is checked for external flaws such as scratches, dents, paint chips, and engraved defects.
Marucci manufactures personalized bat models for well-known and accomplished players including Buster Posey, Josh Donaldson, and Trey Turner.
As more players and leagues switch to wood bats, Marucci bat even offers a youth version of their Pro Model bats, which are a popular choice among players of all levels of skill.
They are not only great performances, but their quality baseball bats are also reasonably priced at under $200.
Victus
In 2017, Marucci acquired Victus Sports, making the best 1-2 punches across the wood bat landscape. The third most famous baseball bat brand in MLB is Victus.
With around 15% of players using Victus bats, they hold a solid place in the top 3 with these brands making around 60% of all bats used in the top leagues.
Victus combines computerized machinery with hand craftsmanship to produce high-quality wooden bats of maple, ash, and birch. Their top-shelf bats feature a ProPact finish, which alleviates the break-in process and stiffens the wood through compression, not to mention giving it a stunningly smooth appearance.
According to current Major League standards, wood bats must have a straight grain of at least 20 inches from the handle to the logo. Victus bat aims to exceed that standard to make their bats more resistant to breaking.
Victus makes a small variety of baseball bats, however, they are trusted by some big-time sluggers such as Gary Sanchez, Fernando Tatis Jr., and George Springer.
They have made their name with unique, eye-catching designs that stand out when you look at them. It’s no wonder they’re a popular choice among young players who bring their own unique flair to the diamond.
Conclusion
That’s it for our exploration of bat brands in Major League Baseball (MLB)! We’ve learned that MLB players choose different brands of bats to help them hit big shots on the field. From popular brands that have been around for a long time to new and exciting ones, players have many options.
Each brand brings its own unique features and helps players swing for the fences. So, next time you watch an MLB game, pay attention to the bats and see if you can spot your favorite players’ chosen brand. Happy watching and keep swinging for the stars!
FAQ
How much does a MLB bat cost?
The cost of purchasing a major league baseball bat varies depending on the brand, make, model and customization. Materials also affect prices. Bats made of maple are more expensive than northern ash. Typically, a bat costs $75-$185.
What is the average lifespan of a baseball in MLB?
Manufacturers and others claim that each Major League baseball lasts about seven pitches on average.
– the man behind this blog, is a passionate former baseball player. With a deep love for the sport, he shares insightful baseball-related blogs, reviews, information and much more. Get ready to enhance your baseball knowledge and elevate your game with Henry’s expertise. Join him on this journey!