09/17/2026
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Equipment 101: Composite Bats
It’s important to know the “why” behind the gear you use and the “how” to keep it at its best performance!
Composite bats are now a staple of the arsenal. They look cool, they sound cool, and their big sweet spot allows a bigger contact point for better (or further) hits. As we all know, they can also be the most expensive! It’s important to know how to break them in and keep them in service as long as possible.
Unlike aluminum bats, composite bats are made of carbon fibers, graphite, fiberglass and resin. This means, they DO need a break in period.
To break in a brand new composite bat, use them for about 150-200 swings while rotating the bat about 1/4 inch each swing. This ensures the carbon fibers and resin within the bat are equally flexed to help avoid dead spots and create an equal “trampoline effect” for the ball upon contact.
NEVER use weighted or dimple balls, as they’ll damage the bat. AVOID using the composite bat in temperatures below 60°F because the carbon fibers within will be too brittle to handle the impact. This can lead to cracks or fractures.
Over time, the bat will start to break down as the composite fibers degrade, meaning the bat has reached its limit. This can show as internal micro-fracturing, external cracking, and rattling sounds.
The more you know!
-Coach Malia
