Les and Kavin have awesome teams, and I'll bet most everyone if not everyone on their teams swing expensive, current technology bats during games. Also, check out Candrea's team or all the top college teams...I bet there are no single wall 7046 aluminum bats being used during games. I wonder why that is??? I'll tell you why.....because the bats of today are on steroids compared to wood and single wall 7046 aluminum bats of yesterday. A good hitter can hit with an old-school bat, but they hit the ball a heck of a lot better with today's bats. If that tidbit wasn't true there would not be a market for the expensive bats.
Len
thanks Lenny but let's not get ahead of ourselves. I've been avoiding replying... puts some type of target on us unintentionally and that isn't fair to the girls. I'm sure Kavin agrees. I won't talk batting avg, wins/losses, doesn't matter... our team does keep up with the "Jones-es" when it comes to bat technology. Just like I like to keep up with some of the latest TV technology, phones, higher efficiency cars.... IMO, without technique, you have nothing. That goes without saying even with the most gifted. Even Usain Bolt has some level of upper training/technique. Even if not an Olympic trained runner he'd still be able to whoop most in a foot race. Pairing freakish ability to the best shoes, socks, etc he's even better.
For us, getting on base is the goal and we'd love to do that consistently. Some games yes, some no. As we get older the abilities either come closer together amongst teams or parity in our area seems to level the game, not sure which and probably not area specific. So, for me... I'll continue to support efficiency in training, in equipment, and work hard. If it works with a Wal-Mart bat... why spend the bucks. The "girls" think it helps and I'll take that to the bank.
I'd like to see "sports science" prove it. Maybe I'll write them to see if they'll take the assignment. As with any situation, those that train with sound mechanics typically have an edge regardless of their equipment, even if athletic ability is equal. Luck is a huge friend too...
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Not being political here. Just my personal position on the subject for I'm for sure no expert and have limited years (7 in fastpitch). As a kid, I too would go for the top dollar "anything"... perception is a huge thing in anyone's mind. And, if it's top dollar training that makes the difference... hmmm, just might be worth it. Howard, maybe we should be paying you $100/hour, yeah, that's it. Not costing us enough :cap:.