Hitting and Hitters Discussion Bat care & Weather??

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Just bought a new Easton SCN1B - needless to say, laid down a few clams. Have a tournament this weekend, morning games could be chilly, but really (REALLY!!) want to use it.

Warranty states it is voided for damage, dents, presumed defects, etc, if used below 60 degrees or in a batting cage with other than normal softballs.

1. Any practical experience/advice out there with this weather issue? What is the realistic temperature cutoff that you would use, to protect your bat "investment" with no worries?

2. Batting cages - are there certain types of "practice" balls to avoid that are bad for a high tech bat, or should I just simply refrain from using it PERIOD in other than real softball, and ideal conditions? Would be nice to adjust a little in the cages, but not at the fear of damaging the bat's quality or performance.

3. Lastly, is it more about the "ball" or the "bat" for causing damage in chilly weather? If the bat stays warm, are you okay, or is it the cold ball whose properties are the problem (probably a little of both - cold "rock" ball vs. complicated technology)?

Thanks.

 

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#1 - My DD usually puts her good bat away around 65[sup]o[/sup].

#2 - Most Batting Cage balls are heavier/denser than a "normal" softball. ATEC does make an ultra soft machine ball that seems to be safe for all bats, but is almost twice the cost and doesn't last as long as the "normal" machine balls.

#3 - From experience, more about the ball. If the ball is cold and the bat is warm, it may dent less, but it will dent.

 

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pickles
If you "laid down a few clams" why would you want to take the chance of damaging it. Fall tournament, will likely warm up by afternoon, just put the good bat away, and wait a couple of hours.

 

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Do all bats dent easily in cold weather? My DD has an Easton Synergy CNT (blue) that is her favorite to use. Will this bat dent easily in cold weather? Should she use her less expensive bat? :-/

 

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The "carbon" bats like the Synergy and Mikens aren't metal so denting isn't a problem.

 

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Hey BearMay,

That Blue Easton Synergy is the bat I was referring to (SCN1B - 2006 model). If denting is not a problem for this bat, would you change your recommendation of putting it away when temp drops below 65? Or, are there other problems besides denting when temp drops, assume there is a reason Easton voids the warranty below 60 degrees??

Dogsdad - no I don't want to risk it, ... that's why I come here to the mountain for knowledge from the enlightened

Thanks!

 

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I guess theoritically, if you stored your bat outside in the cold, or if it sat outside long enough it might become slightly more brittle and be subject to cracking. I'm actually looking at possibly getting my DD a new Miken Maniac (it seems more end-loaded, and therefore more like her RTFP than most) for use in HS ball when the temps are 40[sup]o[/sup]-65[sup]o[/sup].

 

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The composite material used in these bats is basically fiberglass (resins) which has been impregnated with carbon fibers for strength.

In cold temperatures, fiberglass becomes brittle and subject to fracture. My best guess would be that the "critical" temp is at least 10-20 degrees colder than what the bat makers specify. The 60 or 65 degrees they recommend most likely has some extra margin built in as a safety factor, and to reduce warranty returns.

As an extreme example of fiberglass fracturing in cold weather, this happened to me last winter. I needed to drive a nail, but my hammer, which had a fiberglass handle, was out in my unheated garage. It was about 15 degrees outside at the time.

I fetched the hammer, brought it in without allowing it to get warm first, and took one whack at the nail I was driving.

The handle snapped in two, just below the hammer head. It was a clean break and you could see the tiny fibers inside the resin matrix.

Luckily, I had a wood-handled hammer in my tool box. But I'm not suggesting you switch to a wooden bat! ;D

It's your bat- and your money- to do with as you please. The warranty is quite clear. Use it if you want, but face the possibility that your very expensive bat could be rendered a worthless piece of scrap.

Or, be prepared to convince the Easton rep that it was actually 61 degrees when your pretty new bat shattered!

 

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A "P.S." to the above post...

The word I typed that was "starred-out" by the automatic profanity filter used by these boards was:

S-C-R-A-P!

Apparently, this innocent word, when preceeded by the phrase "a worthless piece of..." raises a red flag and gets the ***STAR*** treatment!

 

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Fascinating, not only do I have better info regarding my daughter's fancy high falutin' new warclub, and dealing with our fine northern Ohio fall and spring weather scenarios, but I now also feel ready to pass a physics and polymers class. ?Very interesting info, and background.

I figured there is a "little" fat in the warranty parameters, but it makes sense to poll the experiences and knowledge base out there. All makes sense - thanks again.

 

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Is the Synergy CNT the same as the Synergy SCN1B?

 

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I must admit this conversation was real enlightning to me too,I thought the only bat on the market was the ROCKETECH

 

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Is the Synergy CNT the same as the Synergy SCN1B?

Full name is the Easton SCN1B Synergy CNT

 

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A "P.S." to the above post...

The word I typed that was "starred-out" by the automatic profanity filter used by these boards was:

S-C-R-A-P!

Apparently, this innocent word, when preceeded by the phrase "a worthless piece of..." raises a red flag and gets the ***STAR*** treatment!

scrap, Scrap, SCrap, SCRap, SCRAp, SCRAP.... ?Works for me.... ;D

 

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My daughter has the new Easton Synergy bat and will be using it this weekend at the Classics tourney. ?We play at 11:15 Saturday and 8:00 Sunday, if we have any problems with it due to weather I'll let everyone know. ?I am not rich by any means, but I paid for it for her to use, so that she will. ? :

 

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Ditto my thoughts Lady Knight. We play in Cortland (near Warren) this weekend at Valley Extreme tourney. 8:00 games on Sat & Sun - I will make "game time decisions" based on temp (high 50's = "go" status). Late morning and afternoon games should be a no brainer this weekend.

I have read some VERY impressive reviews of this bat early on as a good rival to the RT, although we purchased the blue (not "end loaded" model) - so we are anxious to peel the wrapper off and see how it goes. At the same time, don't want to be foolish if there are real problems based on weather/technology factors.

Bottom line - New bat, new team, looking forward to another family fastpitch weekend ...