The Verdict: 4.0/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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The Rawlings 5150 Senior League has been in the news lately. Most of the buzz is centered on its supposed improvements in the areas of velocity and balance.
Certainly Rawlings has earned a reputation for churning out trusty bats, but how does this one do when stacked up against the competition?
Let’s start by taking a look at its features.
What are the Features?
The Rawlings 5150 senior league bat has a very impressive feature set, beginning with a ratio of 10 for the length and weight, which is just right for these bats.
The barrel diameter is 2 5/8, and in terms of construction it’s nothing to sneeze at either with 5150 alloy, which makes this one of the most durable bats available.
The bat has also been tweaked, giving it more balance and less MOI. This is crucial for determining how well a baseball bat will perform.
The bat doesn’t look that different from others, but don’t let that fool you.
Upon close examination, it’s clear that the alloy has been upgraded so that it is more flexible and durable when compared to previous releases.
As far as aesthetics go, the bat looks okay, and the understated color and style actually works for it.
This is a one-piece alloy design. In terms of features the 5150 looks pretty good, but how well does it actually perform?
As the following information will show, the 5150 more than holds up its own when ranged against other baseball bats.
How Does the Bat Perform?
The Rawlings Velo senior league handles very well. Though the thin handles might take some getting used to.
Rawlings had made a big deal about the velocity and swing speed and justifiably so since most bats don’t even factor those in.
The 5150 is part of their VELO line which aims to improve your swing’s velocity and based on tests it does.
If you study hitting mechanics, you’ll quickly learn the importance of balance, and that is what this bat provides: lower MOI and a more balanced weight.
This isn’t just hyperbole because when you hold the bat and swing, you can feel the difference instantly. This is made possible because the bat has the Comp-Lite end cap and weight isolation.
Additional Bat Features For This 5150 Bat
Now how does the Comp-Lite End Cap affect performance? What it does is it allows the end of the 5150 to make a lighter and more accurate swing without going out of the zone.
If you’re a new player, this helps improve your swing significantly, and if you’re a long time player it’s useful for refining your game.
The Comp-Lite end cap is joined to the barrel by way of the Bi/fusion Technology. Because it’s built from superior alloy, the bat can take a hit from even the fastest balls, and the large sweet spot makes it easy to hit it out of the park.
It’s also worth pointing out that the bat doesn’t jar or vibrate in your hands, very good news if you play the game for extended periods.
As far as reliability is concerned, the bat should last you a while as it’s clearly built for heavy duty use. And as many reviewers have stated, the 5150 does increase swing velocity and by a significant amount at that.
If you have tried different bats, you can instantly tell when it is swinging smoothly or if it’s fighting you.
In this case it’s clear that the bat is very effective and has a powerful but smooth flow. When you swing the bat, the full power is transferred so there’s no energy wasted.
This also means you don’t have to worry about overexerting yourself because energy transfer is fully optimized.
Compared to other baseball bats, the 5150 is superior on many levels including swing speed, power and durability.
These might not be apparent if you’re new to baseball, but if you have tried other bats you will notice it.
Pros
- The bat is durable
- There’s a very solid pop
- Vibration free
- Has a generous sweet spot
- Handles very well
Cons
This bat is pretty good, but it does have a couple of minor issues:
- The bat makes more than a bit of noise when it hits a ball
- The handle is a bit thin
What Customers Say
Feedback for the 5150 is very positive so far, with the majority pointing out its responsiveness and reliability as the biggest selling factors.
John of Alabama has this to say:
- Bought this a couple of weeks ago and I really like it. The bat has a strong pop and is durable.
Alex, who lives in Sacramento, also has positive things to say about the bat:
- I’ve owned several Rawlings bats and this is definitely the best of the bunch in terms of power and balance. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a reliable bat.
Dennis of LA also posted a review of the 5150, noting that:
- This is one of the best bats I’ve tried, and I have used plenty. What I like most is the way it increases my swing speed, and it feels just right in my hands.
Other positive reviews have been posted online, and what they all share in common is the opinion that the bat brings a new level of balance and power. The general consensus among those who’ve tried the bat is it packs power without sacrificing balance.
Conclusion on This Rawlings 5150 Senior League Bat
The Rawlings 5150 Senior League is a powerful bat and delivers as advertised. It’s not a perfect bat, far from it, but it is still effective in all the areas that matter.
The sweet spot is very generous, and its balance is one of the best you’ll come across. It’s actually better compared to other Rawlings, and that’s saying a lot considering how powerful their bats are.
Overall, Rawlings 5150 Senior League bats are a solid buy.
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