Composites and cages

[dittoz]

Had a big ol' blowup last night with DD who knows all...
(Chip off the old blockhead I guess)

Her team was at a public batting cage where they were hitting softballs in the "fast" cage. I dunno, maybe 55mph? Now aside from the questions and comments based on the above statements, here's my real question and the root of our spirited debate...

We all know and have heard the line about the use of composite bats in the cages with those dimple balls. Especially when it's fairly cool and the dimple balls are likely to be a bit harder. In the real world, how many of you have seen issues (read: damage) with composites that way? DD is swinging a CF3 normally, but I made her swing her Techzilla in there to avoid potential damage to the comp bat...

Anyone seeing real-world issues with premature failures in the cages on comp bats?

[Izzy's Dad]

12 year old DD swings her LS Catalyst in the batting cage once a week set on 58 mph. I have an e-mail from Louisville Slugger that says it's ok to do this, and would be under warranty if the bat fails. Catalyst's are tanks. But, I would think alot is determined how old your DD is. A 17 year old is going to swing alot harder than a 12 year old. JMO.

[wadeintothem]

I've seen composites snap (right in half like a baseball bat) or be rendered unusable on several occasions. I wouldnt know if it were related to cage use. I would almost think normal use can cause it, and cage use would be all the worse.

[3Bsnag]

It is not just about the damage to the bat, but also using up the hits. You could see and hear a difference in the older composites that were "dead". You can also take one of your seasoned bats and roll it on a flat surface. If it was your primary, you can see the wave or stutters.

At the very least, put a Tuff Sleave on it or spend the $50-$75 for a cage bat. In our house, they just move down the line.
new bat = game bat (when broken in)
old game bat = tee work and/or games
old tee work bat = new cage bat.

[GIMNEPIWO]

There is a DeMarini F2 around here somewhere ... we figured out why it was called the F2 ... well ... F'n2 would be more appropriate ... and a Stealth SC900 ... both snapped in half during games but I'm sure cage work shortened their life ...

[dittoz]

New bats... used bats... old bats...
(Sigh...)
Someday I want to be a rich travel ball parent and let my DD have such an arsenal on hand!

She's a small '95 but hits the ball hard, and yes, I'm also concerned at using up the hits on the bat prematurely. At $300 for an F3, I just cannot afford to go out and buy another one. We already had the TZ but because of her size, it's just too heavy to swing in spite of the claimed 31/21 "Swing Weight".

As to a Tuff Sleeve, I hear a lot of debate as to whether they really do anything or not...

Best option would be to find a $75 cage composite that swings like her F3!

[3Bsnag]

New bats... used bats... old bats...
(Sigh...)
Someday I want to be a rich travel ball parent and let my DD have such an arsenal on hand!

LOL, very true, but not rich by any means. DD is only child from parents that play. My weak points are bats and cleats, dads are good gloves, so she is very well stocked.

I agree on the Tuff Sleeve, I'm suspect. I keep it in the car just in case we forget the cage bat. I cringed last week every time I heard that pop off the new Virus at the cage, with it on.

[pafan]

What about using composites or Anderson RTs on soccer balls (hitting the soccer balls off of Tees)? Will that hurt the bats?

[ECSB]

Don't do it. True story from last year. DD's bat failed, we think from hitting dimple balls in H.S. Use a cheap or old bat. Also note that the bat failed internally, and we watched our kid's stats go down and the balls go nowhere and we didn't know what was wrong. Finally figured it out two weeks into T.B. season. Ouch.

[GIMNEPIWO]

What about using composites or Anderson RTs on soccer balls (hitting the soccer balls off of Tees)? Will that hurt the bats?

Sorry ... quick Soccer ball story ... one DD played soccer and was in the yard and kicked her ball accidentally down a huge hill near our house and into our pond... ... there was a storm coming and I told her she better go retrieve it ... she was 13 & she refused ... I shot the ball with my .303 savage ... and I don't think hitting what was left of that ball with any bat would have hurt the bat