Two Piece Bats: Lightweight Flexibility and Power in One Bat

If you are reading this, you’re probably looking forward to knowing more about two-piece design bats. Luckily, you’re in the right place! When buying  a baseball bat, one of the things we consider is its piece design. Furthermore, two-piece bats provide hitters various benefits and advantages when on the plate. However, picking the type of bat piece boils down to a player’s preference; therefore, we will expound on two-piece construction in this article in the hopes of learning if this bat type suits you.

What is a Two-Piece Bat?

Two-Piece Bats

When choosing between composite vs. aluminum bats, the question between one-piece vs. two-piece bats also arises. In addition, there is a divide within the baseball community between these two bat types. However, choosing the number of piece bat construction you want boils to preference and playstyle. But what exactly are two-piece design bats?

Two-piece bats feature a construction of a barrel and handle merged into one connection point, hence earning the name “two-piece”. Furthermore, two-piece bats enable its user to have hybrid materials on its handle and barrel which provides its user with the benefits of two different materials.

For instance, the DeMarini Voodoo is one of the sought-after hybrid bats that features an aluminum barrel and a composite handle, providing its user with an unparalleled balance between power, speed, weight, and durability. With two-piece bats, the possibilities are endless as the construction of the bat enables its user to combine different materials into a hybrid bat.

The Benefits of Using Two-piece Bats

Benefits of Using Two-Piece Bats

Similar to a one-piece bat design, incorporating two-piece bats in your batting will deliver various benefits and advantages on your team’s offensive play. Spanning from a two-piece bat’s flexibility up to its hybrid material capacity, let’s explore the various benefits and advantages a two-piece design can contribute to your batting.

Flexibility

If you are not a strong hitter in baseball, hitting the ball farther gets difficult especially when your physical capabilities limit your strength. Furthermore, this difficulty presents itself in baseball games where the participants are younger and still developing their strength. For example, batters in little leagues and junior leagues usually incorporate multi-piece bat designs in their batting, but why?

To aid younger players in their batting, baseball manufacturers introduced the two-piece design to help transfer a bat’s flexibility to the ball. As a result, younger players produce harder hits upon contact without much raw strength. Moreover, two-piece bats flex on their connection which provides a “whip” that creates a trampoline effect, providing more speed and distance to the ball.

Less Vibration

As batters, we know that one of the most annoying things on the plate is when we mishit a ball, causing the bat to vibrate violently. To work around this, most two-piece bats incorporate vibration dampening features on the joint where the barrel and handle meets. Consequently, the material on the joint of two-piece bats absorbs most of the vibration— reducing the chance of annoying bat stings. This leaves its user with a comfortable bat that enables them to hit more aggressively on the plate.

Furthermore, a more comfortable bat increases its user’s overall performance and longevity during games and training sessions. Therefore, arming your batter with a bat that does not hurt their hands upon ball contact is a must, and two-piece bats are here to do the job.

For example, the Easton Beast Speed Hybrid Youth Baseball Bat features a two-piece aluminum barrel and composite handle hybrid that includes the CONNEXION+ technology on its joint. In addition, the CONNEXION+ technology eliminates excess vibration from ball contact, providing its users with a hybrid bat that is both lightweight and comfortable to use.

Speed

Let’s face it, a baseball bat that impedes its user’s movement and speed is not satisfactory. As a result, batters try to find bats that are both fast and powerful in anticipation of crucial moments on the plate. To answer this call, the lightweight construction and design of two-piece bats produce a “whip effect” in every swing.

As stated, the construction and design of two-piece bats enable them to flex during swings for a more powerful hit. In addition, this swing produces a “whip effect” that further increases the bat’s overall speed without straining its user’s muscle. In a nutshell, two-piece bats increase the overall speed of a bat, which increases the energy transferred to the ball.

Hybrid Construction

Unlike one-piece bats, the design of two-piece bats enables them to feature two different materials, increasing the overall performance of the bat. Furthermore, a hybrid bat offers the best both worlds depending on the materials used by the manufacturer. Additionally, a hybrid bat usually features a composite handle and an aluminum alloy barrel. The rationale behind this is manufacturers aim to combine a durable alloy barrel and a lightweight composite handle to harness the benefit of both materials into one bat.

The 2019 Anderson Techzilla S Series Hybrid Youth Baseball Bat is an excellent example of a hybrid bat that features the best of both worlds. The hybrid construction of the bat provides children with an ultra-light and fast bat that unleashes powerful swings on the plate. Through their hybrid construction, hybrid bats provide its user with a competitive edge on the plate.

What to look for when buying two-piece bats?— A Buyer’s Guide

What to look for when buying a two-piece bat?

With all the facts said, now you’re interested in buying your own two-piece bat; however, you don’t know the things to consider when buying two-piece bats. Furthermore, buying in an oversaturated market bombards you with various specifications and promises that may result in confusion and indecisiveness. Don’t worry because we are here to help with our two-piece bat buyer’s guide!

Measurement

Before buying an aluminum bat, a buyer must first ensure that the bat size they are choosing fits them for optimal performance. Usually, you must use the bat you’re buying to measure if it has enough length relative to the buyer’s body. However, there is a method that only requires a tape measure and the steps below:

First, put the tape measure from the sternum as the buyer’s arm is outstretched on the side. Second, measure the distance between the sternum of the buyer up to the outstretched finger in inches. This measurement is the optimal length of a bat recommend relative to the buyer’s size. Furthermore, we recommend that the buyer does not go over an inch on their optimal size.

Bat Drop

To simplify things, the bat drop is the weight of the bat in ounces subtracted to its length in inches. Furthermore, the bat drop gives the buyer a general idea of how heavy or light a bat is. In addition, the higher the bat drop is, the lighter the bat.

We recommend a bat drop of  -9 or higher to players aged 13 and below, -5 or -3 for players aged 13-18, and a -3 for players aged 18 and above.

League Standards

Baseball players know the different types of league certifications required for a bat to qualify in official games such as the USABat Stamp, BBCOR Stamp, and USSSA. Buyers must check the requirements of the league they play in before buying a two-piece bat. Furthermore, the requirement of different leagues are searchable through the internet; however, if you are still unsure, you can ask your coach or a league authority whether the bat you are planning to buy are allowed by your league.

Types of Two-Piece Bats

Types of Two-Piece Bats

Now that we have defined the things to look for when buying two-piece bats, it’s time to talk about the different types of two-piece bats. Most baseball manufacturers feature three types of two-piece bats namely aluminum alloy, composite, and hybrid bats. Let’s take a look at the various types of two-piece bats and the pros and cons they provide to your playing.

Aluminum Alloy Bats

If you are under a tight budget but still want the performance of two-piece bats, then an aluminum alloy bat is perfect for you. Deriving from its name, aluminum alloy bats feature aluminum as their main material. Aside from it being cheaper than other types of bats, an aluminum alloy bat also provides unmatched durability compared to other types of bats.

PROS:

  • Relatively cheaper compared to other bat types.
  • Provides unmatched durability.
  • Comes out of the factory ready-to-use.
  • Has the capacity to be mixed with other metals to increase overall performance.

CONS:

  • Alloy bats are stiff and less flexible compared to other types of bats.
  • Relatively heavier compared to composite bats.
  • Mostly all-alloy bats offer a small sweet spot.

Composite Bats

If you are an experienced batter, you have likely tried using a composite bat at least once in your career, and as most players say, composite baseball bats win in terms of weight compared to alloy bats. Furthermore, the lightweight feel of a composite bat comes from its layered fiber construction that helps distribute its balance its weight throughout the bat. In addition, manufacturers can make a composite bat end-loaded or balanced due to the nature of its construction, allowing it to cater to various swinging styles.

PROS:

  • Composite bats are relatively lighter compared to other bat types.
  • A bat with a composite material effectively dampens excess vibrations to the hand.
  • Utilizes the trampoline effect in every swing due to its thin and flexible nature.
  • Most composite bats feature a larger sweet spot.

CONS:

  • Not suitable for cold environments below 15°C.
  • Requires a break-in period before using.
  • Relatively expensive compared to an alloy bat.

Hybrid Bats

If you like the benefits and advantages both composite and alloy bats provide, then hybrid bats are for you. Most of the time, the construction of a hybrid bat features an alloy barrel— usually aluminum, and a composite handle. Furthermore, this type of hybrid construction enables its user to have a bat with a robust barrel and lightweight swing. As a result, hybrid bat users are left with a powerful bat with a lightweight feel.

PROS:

  • Due to its alloy barrel, a hybrid bat is ready to use out of the box.
  • Provides a lightweight feel compared to an all-alloy construction bat.
  • The alloy barrel of a hybrid bat is more durable compared to composite barrels.
  • Relatively cheaper compared to an all-composite bat.

CONS:

  • Inferior pop compared to a composite bat due to its alloy barrel.
  • Cannot handle temperatures lower than 15°C.
  • Smaller sweet spot due to its alloy barrel.

Conclusion:

Conclusion

All in all, the choice between one-piece and two-piece bats still boils down to a buyer’s preference. Furthermore, it is imperative to note that this article is just half of the equation on the debate about one-piece vs. two-piece bats. Now we have expounded on two-piece bats in this article, we hope that the information we imparted helps you on your quest to find the best baseball bats for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Two-Piece Bats

Q: What is better 2 piece or 1 piece bats?

A: The choice between one-piece and two-piece construction boils down to a buyer’s preference. However, we recommend strong hitters use one-piece bats due to their stiff and heavier feel. On the other hand, hitters looking for a fast and flexible bat should settle with a two-piece bat.

Q: What is the purpose of a 2 piece bat?

A: A two-piece bat provides its user with a flexible bat that utilizes a “whip effect” to help increase a bat’s speed and power.

Q: What is a two-piece composite bat?

A: A two-piece composite bat features a composite barrel and handle. Furthermore, manufacturers combine these two parts with a bonding agent to create a two-piece composite bat.

Q: How long will a composite bat last?

A: A composite bat is not as durable as its alloy counterpart. The lifespan of a composite bat can last a year or two depending on the frequency of its use. In addition, avoid using a composite bat below 15°C to prolong its lifespan.

Q: Do composite bats lose their pop?

A: All bats lose their pop under a certain period including composite bats.

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