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Discussion: Bat Selection Question

Posted Discussion
Dec. 17, 2015
JamesLG
420 posts
Bat Selection Question

Hi All:

I want to add a new bat to the bag this year and have it narrowed down to a Dudley 12" and a 2016 Miken U2 end load. I am 5'9" 180lb and play 60 Major. I don't hit many HR's anymore but still hit the ball hard most of the time.

What would you recommend?

Thank You:

James
Dec. 17, 2015
Wayne 37
Men's 65
773 posts
I would say the Dudley 12". It does seem to have a smaller sweet spot, though. I have hit the ball hard with the Dudley, and they are plenty durable.

I don't know anything about the 3 oz. end load bats.
Dec. 18, 2015
BruceinGa
Men's 70
3233 posts
I would agree with the Dudley 12". The sleeve in the 12" is the same length as those in the 13" so I don't know if I would agree with Wayne about the smaller sweet spot.
Dec. 18, 2015
Tri18
352 posts
James,
I would be happy to speak to you and determine which bat may fit you best.

Alan Tanner
Team 1 Sports
561-718-7504
Dec. 18, 2015
Gorilla Boy
Men's 50
271 posts
Who did not know this. Best thing to do is go to a store and look for yourself. Put the bat in your hands and then determine. Everybody sells all of the bats.

Joker
Dec. 18, 2015
LoopDaddy
12 posts
Thanks for keeping it real, GB. Fit and feel are everything.
Dec. 18, 2015
Whitey58
28 posts
The new Miken Ultra 2 Black are as good or better than the Dudleys. You have to have the PATIENCE of hitting around 400 hits before it starts breaking in. I have hit the Dudley and like it but my new big cat is just opened up and the ball is flying off the bat and I feel it is only going to get better.
Dec. 18, 2015
JamesLG
420 posts

Thanks All:

I have had both in my hands and the Dudley feels like a bat I could generate more bat speed with. I have a real hand and wrist type swing if that makes any difference.

James
Dec. 18, 2015
softball4b
Men's 70
1248 posts
IMO it depends on the ball you hit the majority of the time. Hard Surface bats - Combat with soft ball Trump Stote 44/375 best results, Soft Surface Bats - Dudley - not so good with Stote in hot weather. Either with Baden.

I would have two different type bats, same swing weight for that reason.

Mike Adair
Dec. 18, 2015
crusher
Men's 75
524 posts
JamesLG - I used a Dudley in Dalton. I struck some balls that even the ump said "That is gone", however NONE went out.

In Las Vegas I used a Miken Big Cat. First time to use an endloaded as they did not feel right to me. Now it is the Big Cat for me. Ball went out of park like rockets. Now, it could be the balls and air density in Vegas.

James
Dec. 18, 2015
JamesLG
420 posts

I am probably going to go with a max load Miken. The big sweet spot is hard to pass up.

Hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy/Healthy New ear.

James
Dec. 19, 2015
Allan55
102 posts
JamesLG,

I agree with several responses that deal with feel and swing weight. I have swung the Mikens and Dudleys. The Miken does have a larger sweet spot, but how many swings do you want to get out of a bat? I used a Miken and a Dudley last year. The Miken lasted me close to 200 swings. The Dudleys (two of them) lasted me approximately 400 and 800 swings respectively. Buy the Dudley...or spend more money on Mikens. Mikens just don't seem to last.
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