A time will come when your $400 baseball bat made with a composite handle and alloy barrel won’t hit like it used to because it’s dead.
It’s true.
Many players ask questions that are related to this.
“How to tell if a baseball bat is dead?”
“Do composite bats lose their pop?”
“How long do composite bats last?”
So, today, we’ll try to answer how to tell if your bat is dead and other questions that come to your mind related to dead baseball bats.
Let’s get started.
What is a Dead Baseball Bat?
When a baseball or softball bat lost its power of hitting a ball and doesn’t have much pop as it used to, then we call it a dead bat. Sometimes, a massive crack splits the composite bat in half, and you have a dead bat. Such bats do not make good contact with the balls.
How to Tell If a Bat is Dead?
Cracks or Dents
Whether your bat is dead or not, first you need to check the material of your bat. Usually composite bats crack and aluminum alloy bats dent.
Dead Composite Bats
The composite bat is said to be dead if there will be a massive crack that split the bat in half. Most of the time you can find hairline fractures, spiral fractures, or stress cracks in these types of bats. Small cracks in these bats can have a huge negative impact or none at all. It varies from case to case.
The composite material is said to be dead about the structure or peak performance if you find a spider web fracture in it.
The greater the trampoline effect, the more fibers are broken down and the bigger the bounce off the bat is. When the web turns into a crack, it eventually fails. If you notice the paint is falling off the barrel that does not mean your bat is dead.
Dead Aluminum or Alloy Bats
You will not see cracks or fractures of any kind in this type of bat due to the construction because usually aluminum bats dent. When alloy bats go dead, you will notice significant dents in parts of the bat where it will start to concave.
You can find these dents by running your hand across the barrel. If you find an indentation and it is not smooth either then that will have a bad impact on the performance and maybe the beginning of the bat is gone dead.
Unusual Sound
This is one of the best ways to tell if your bat is dead or not. There are no two bats that sound alike and all bats sound different from each other. The best person who can tell about your bat’s condition by hearing the sounds of it is you because you heard the sound of your bat from the beginning.
Sometimes, you’ll even notice that a composite bat can change sounds over time as it starts to break in.
We have even heard of the tried and true method of holding your bat by the barrel and tapping the knob on the ground. You can hear a dull thud sound if a bat is dead. If the bat makes a normal, high-pitched ping then you can say that it is not dead. It is never a good idea to hit your knob on the ground so the team at JustBats does not necessarily recommend using this method.
Speaking of sounds, does your bat have a rattle when you shake it? Even if it does, this doesn’t always mean that your bat is dead.
Hands Stinging
You can say baseball is very much a mental sport. Some players declare that their bat is dead in the middle of a bad hitting slump, and feel some painful negative feedback. Or, if a player has his teammates, coaches, and parents chirping in his ear that his bat may be dead, he or she is going to assume that it is dead.
Many people accused bats falsely of being dead and just not being hit in the sweet spot. They need to practice to improve their hitting skills, and then think about whether their bat is really dead or not.
In case of hitting the ball on the handle or off the end cap, most bats will perform as if it was dead but that does not mean that it is.
Now, if you are certain that you’re drilling the sweet spot during each at-bat yet still experience serious sting in the hands, your bat may be on a downward decline towards death.
Performance Decreased
Often composite bats do require a break-in period. It recommends about 150-200 swings off of a tee or by hand toss with a quarter rotation after each swing.
Then, once you have completed those initial 150+ swings, hopefully, the barrel of your composite bat should be broken in.
Don’t automatically assume that the bat is dead if you’re not impressed with the performance of your composite bat. Before jumping to conclusions break it in, use it in batting practice in a cage, and then use it in practice.
After trying this, you may have a legitimate cause for concern, if you have broken in your bat, experienced it at full power, and are now noticing a huge decline in ball flight on contact.
Now, if you know that your bat is fully broken in but the pop is starting to decline, then your bat may be dead or well on its way. Unfortunately, most bats do lose their pop in time with enough use.
All bats have a limited life and it all depends upon hitting a hard object with another solid object.
Handle Getting Pushed Up into the Barrel
They are two-piece constructions made up of a handle and a barrel that is brought together by a connection piece in most of the composite bats. The connection piece may fail on rare occasions and you will notice the handle starting to creep up into the barrel.
If you find this problem and you’re covered by a warranty by that time, then get it replaced immediately. If you don’t do this then your bat will be completely dead soon.
Do Composite Bats Go Dead?
You can say the composite bat goes dead when there is a massive crack in it that split the bat in half. Usually, people assume the bat is dead when they hear the difference in the sound of the bat. In most cases, they could not hit the sweet spot and blamed the bat’s performance.
In comparison with an aluminum bat, a composite bat is lighter than an aluminum bat and great for swinging. So composite bats do not usually go dead and the life span of this bat depends upon its use it.
Do Composite Bats Lose Their Pop?
Yes, composite bats can lose their pop. If your composite bat is fully broken-in, in but still it’s losing its pop continuously. Then, it’s a clear sign that your composite bat is dead or on its way.
How Long Do Composite Bats Last?
While composite bats include a break-in period, many factors can influence their lifespan, so they may begin to deteriorate between bouts of use. Consider your batting style and the frequency of your use.
A bat can have a life span of anywhere from one to three years. The frequency of use and whether it is allowed to rest throughout the off-season all affect the lifespan.
When Should You Replace Your Old Bat with a New Bat?
It is recommended to go over your bat thoroughly and check for any excessive wear or damage at least once a year and approximately every three months for an oil or natural bat.
If you have metal and/or composite bats then you should replace them approximately every two years assuming normal usage.
If you feel like your current bat is dead and you need to purchase a new one, then you should take all the information about the top-performing bats in the current year. So that, you’ll get the best bat.
Common FAQs about Dead Baseball Bats
What is a dead baseball bat?
A dead baseball bat refers to a bat that has lost its power and no longer has the pop it once had. It may have a massive crack that splits the bat in half or dents that affect its performance and ability to make good contact with the ball.
How to tell if a baseball bat is dead?
The signs that indicate a dead baseball bat include cracks, dents, unusual sounds, hands stinging during use, and a decreased performance, such as declining pop, despite being fully broken in. A dull thud sound when you tap the knob on the ground can also indicate a dead bat, but it is not recommended to use this method.
Do composite bats lose their pop?
Yes, composite bats can lose their pop over time with enough use. They require a break-in period, after which they should be broken in and ready for use. However, if you have broken in your composite bat, used it at full power, and are now noticing a significant decline in ball flight on contact, then your bat may be dead or well on its way.
How long do composite bats last?
The lifespan of composite bats depends on many factors, such as the amount and frequency of use, the level of care and maintenance, and the type of baseball or softball league. Generally, composite bats can last for several seasons or 500-1000 hits. However, they can also lose their pop with enough use, so it is essential to monitor their performance and check for any signs of deadness.
Can a rattle sound inside a bat mean it is dead?
Not necessarily. A rattle sound inside a bat does not always mean that it is dead. It could be caused by a loose piece of the end cap or a broken piece of foam inside the barrel. Therefore, it is essential to inspect your bat carefully and identify the cause of the rattle sound before concluding that it is dead.
Final Words
You can wash your wooden baseball bat with alcohol because alcohol will get rid of any dirt or other build-up that makes its way onto your bat during gameplay. A clean bat fortifies a great grip for hitting and does not clean your metal cleats with your bat.
You should keep the bat in a cool, dry place. Don’t let the bat come in contact with wet surfaces. Keep your baseball bat dent-free and fix the bat if it has any fractures. Keep the bat in an upright position at all times.
Do not share your bat with every teammate. Limit it to individual use, if possible. You must avoid using your bat in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You should keep your bat out of extremely hot or cold temperature areas.
While batting uses regulation baseballs or softballs only. Waterlogged balls should not be hit by the bat and If possible rotate your bat a quarter of a turn after each swing.
