The Verdict: 4.7/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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Everyone is glad to see the 2016 Rawlings 5150 BBCOR baseball bat hit the shelves. Before we review it let’s recall a story from childhood.
I’m sure every one of us who has ever played baseball as a kid would have, at one time or another, envisioned ourselves making that fateful hit that would send the ball blazing out of the park and into outer space.
Pure fantasy, right? As adults, we now know that in order for us to achieve such a feat, we would need biceps the size of blue whales to hit the ball with the amount of force needed for escape velocity.
We would also need a ball that won’t disintegrate due to the impact, and a bat that won’t snap in two. Genetically speaking, I don’t think science will ever find a way to give us the muscles.
But when it comes to the engineering of the necessary equipment, I think Rawlings is one of the most capable candidates in making this cartoon of a feat a reality.
Hey, they already have what’s arguably the best ball in the market (good enough for Major League Baseball).
Aerospace-Grade Technology, Sci-Fly Tested
For me, these are the two that stand out prominently among the features of the Rawlings 5150 BBCOR. Call me a sci-fi nut.
But I still remember clearly the space suit costume my parents got for me when I was three. And anything that could make feel like I’m carrying a lightsaber out there on the plate when I’m at bat is a good thing.
But enough of these personal, non-technical stuff. You’re looking for specs, right? So let’s talk about what the nitty gritty of the 2016 Rawlings 5150 BBCOR.
Precision Optimized Performance (pOp 2.0) Technology
This feature is used in the design within the 5150 BBCOR’s barrel. It works to keep excess weight isolated in a smaller portion of the bat thus maximizing its balance.
On top of that, it is also responsible for creating additional barrel flex (an amazing achievement for a one-piece bat). This amplifies the power-enhancing trampoline effect upon ball contact.
Comp-Lite Composite End Cap
This feature, which covers the bottom two inches of the bat, further improves balance and swing speed.
This is the major reason why the Rawlings 5150 BBCOR, which in previous models used to be a heavier, end-loaded bat, is now one of the lightest all-alloy bats available today.
Aerospace-Grade 5150 Alloy
This is the patented material Rawlings uses for the one-piece alloy construction of their 5150 BBCOR.
It’s the mixture of some of the lightest yet most resilient metals on the planet. They give the bat not only the durability to withstand even the toughest conditions, but also a radically more responsive hitting surface.
Sci-Fly Tested
This is the standard used by Rawlings when developing bats that assesses every aspect of their bats’ performance. From evaluating the spin rate from the points of contact to measuring the speed, distance, ball speed and launch angle of a variety of hits.
This has helped Rawlings further perfect their bats and ensure high quality and performance even for the most demanding players.
Is The 2016 Rawlings 5150 BBCOR Certified?
The Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution is the standard currently governing baseball bats.
It was implemented to monitor the stronger flex and hence harder hitting power of alloy and composite bats versus traditional wood bats to ensure a more level playing field.
Basically it is a measure of how much energy is released when the bat hits the ball. It’s determined by the bat’s drop weight—which is the length of the bat minus its weight.
(For example, a bat that is 32 inches long and weighs 22 ounces will have a drop weight of -10 or drop 10.) For high school and collegiate play, the widely accepted drop weight is -3.
So if you happen to come across different articles that talk about the 2016 Rawlings 5150 BBCOR drop 3, or the Rawlings 5150 BBCOR -3, or the Rawlings 5150 31 28, these are all talking about the same bat.
Fun Championship Rawlings Video
Want to get pumped up for your next baseball season? Watch this video by Rawlings.
Out of this World Performance
Okay, you’re right. The features of a bat alone, no matter how stellar, aren’t evidence of performance.
But if you’re looking for proof that the 2016 Rawlings 5150 BBCOR is the great bat I’m saying it is, all you have to do is look for footage of the College World Series in Omaha.
Video captures none other than the Rawlings 5150 being predominantly wielded by the victorious Virginia Cavaliers.
They didn’t need any special effects, CG, nor fancy science fiction tricks to win.
All they needed for their out of this world performance was a strong desire to win and 100% pure science fact. What better proof do you need to demonstrate the 5150 BBCOR’s prowess?
Now don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that the bat is perfect because no bat is. Despite discoveries and improvements being made each year, we are still light years from perfection.
Sure the swing is lighter but, as a single-piece bat, the Rawlings 5150 BBCOR still rings and stings your hands on mishits.
But those who can manage that will be rewarded with a ball that will streak straight into the stratosphere.
Or, alright, the stands. Just straight into the stands. Not perfect but still good enough, isn’t it?
Whether you blast the ball into outer space, into the parking lot, or just over the fence, the effect is still the same.
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