Senior bats

[slapnutz]

You really have know what bat is comfortable for you to start. For example. I love the Miken Freak 12 back in the day. Spec was 27oz/12in Barrel/.5 enload. That being said....senior bats that was close to that spec and that I swing are Suncoast Melee Diamond 2pc 12" barrel 26.5, Suncoast Melee Max 2 Senior Softball Bat 2-pc 12″ 1/2oz End Load, and 2023 Miken JB Ultra 27oz 1/2 oz endload. I have more control with Suncoast but have sick pop with the Ultra. Suncoast tested at 180 after 3-4 years and Ultra tested at 140ish after 1 year. Hope that helps.

 

[swingnmiss]

You really have know what bat is comfortable for you to start. For example. I love the Miken Freak 12 back in the day. Spec was 27oz/12in Barrel/.5 enload. That being said....senior bats that was close to that spec and that I swing are Suncoast Melee Diamond 2pc 12" barrel 26.5, Suncoast Melee Max 2 Senior Softball Bat 2-pc 12″ 1/2oz End Load, and 2023 Miken JB Ultra 27oz 1/2 oz endload. I have more control with Suncoast but have sick pop with the Ultra. Suncoast tested at 180 after 3-4 years and Ultra tested at 140ish after 1 year. Hope that helps.

I love the Ultras, but they snap like chop sticks. The feel, the pop the sound......Love them. But, their durability is ass for me. The reissue Lightning for me went maybe 200 swings. The were a fun 200, but again........Snap. The Suncoast Mele's are my go to gamers. Now, if you're not the type to break bats often, I think the Ultra is the one. You just pay too much for OG Lightnings and I don't think the new ones are up to the old ones.

 

[BruceinGa]

While in Myrtle Beach this week I talked to a Dudley rep that was set up at the Grand complex. He had a few senior Maxload Dooms and said the price was $99. I asked if he had a 28 but he only had 26 and 27.
I asked about the differences between the Senior and utrip models and he said the senior compression new is 200 where the utrip is 300.
I guess it will be my bp bat for quite a while!

 

[dttruax]

While in Myrtle Beach this week I talked to a Dudley rep that was set up at the Grand complex. He had a few senior Maxload Dooms and said the price was $99. I asked if he had a 28 but he only had 26 and 27.
I asked about the differences between the Senior and utrip models and he said the senior compression new is 200 where the utrip is 300.
I guess it will be my bp bat for quite a while!

Headbanger has a bunch of Dooms on sale right now for $99

 

[jhitman]

Sorry to revive this old thread......I might play some senior tournaments in 2025 and was wondering what is the best senior bat on the market now. Hopefully, with some durability as well, but won't hit a lot of BP with it. Opinions please..........

 

[SAaucoin_13]

Sorry to revive this old thread......I might play some senior tournaments in 2025 and was wondering what is the best senior bat on the market now. Hopefully, with some durability as well, but won't hit a lot of BP with it. Opinions please..........

So, in my limited experience with senior bats and from what I've heard from others if you're looking for performance and some durability, Suncoast and Anarchy are very good options. From a performance standpoint, Short Porch and Proton seem to be right there with the best available. The new Dudley's are hot but nothing like the originals and I'm not sure on their durability. The Miken Ultras are still popular and possibly still top dogs. BUT, I've seen balls absolutely crushed with just about all of them.

 

[dunno]

Sorry to revive this old thread......I might play some senior tournaments in 2025 and was wondering what is the best senior bat on the market now. Hopefully, with some durability as well, but won't hit a lot of BP with it. Opinions please..........

Check out sale on Suncoast website Melee max2 green or red. Both come with 60 day warranty. Finally broke in my red 12" barrel after 1000 hits and its ready to game.

 

[RokRaider826]

Sorry to revive this old thread......I might play some senior tournaments in 2025 and was wondering what is the best senior bat on the market now. Hopefully, with some durability as well, but won't hit a lot of BP with it. Opinions please..........

The best SR bat is the bat that fits you. Everyone will have a different favorite bat and swear it is super hot. For me, to hear people talk about how far they hit with SR bat makes me go. Hitting homers with a SR bat is easy. For me I like the feel, how it swings and how heavy the endload feels. I like an endloaded 1 piece such as the Proton Series 2.

 

[BruceinGa]

Just back from 3 tournaments, 9 days in Florida.
In our last tournament in Ft Myers I decided to swing my Suncoast Reload. Fences at Lee county complex were 300' so I felt comfident. I've posted here that my white Hitman 44 has more pop than my Reload but thought the Reload was enough with a slight breeze blowing out. I think I hit 3 in a couple of rain shortened games.
Because of wet fields we were moved to North Collier in Naples. Fences there are 325. I hit four balls near the warning track. I dont think I could have hit them any further. My next, and last game I decided to try my Hitman 44. I mis-hit 2 to the warning track and then hit a grand slam.
So, from now on, my reload is for 300' fences and my Hitman 44 for 300'+

 

[BruceinGa]

So, in my limited experience with senior bats and from what I've heard from others if you're looking for performance and some durability, Suncoast and Anarchy are very good options. From a performance standpoint, Short Porch and Proton seem to be right there with the best available. The new Dudley's are hot but nothing like the originals and I'm not sure on their durability. The Miken Ultras are still popular and possibly still top dogs. BUT, I've seen balls absolutely crushed with just about all of them.

New guy here, ehh?!

 

[swingnmiss]

The best SR bat is the bat that fits you. Everyone will have a different favorite bat and swear it is super hot. For me, to hear people talk about how far they hit with SR bat makes me go. Hitting homers with a SR bat is easy. For me I like the feel, how it swings and how heavy the endload feels. I like an endloaded 1 piece such as the Proton Series 2.

I love this kind of stuff...... Totally incorrect. That bat that fits your swing, does not make it the best bat. If someone swings a Walmart Easton Hammer and gets base hits....That doesn't make it the best bat, or the best bat for them. If, they get a Suncoast Mele or Ultra, for example and swung it until they got used to it and figured it out, they'd get better results and then the whole, "It's easy to hit home runs with a senior bat........" and shrug like you're awesome is also funny. Not everyone does.....Because not everyone can. We should be helping people to figure it out not, "I'm awesome, you're not................. *shrug*............ "

 

[BruceinGa]

That bat that fits your swing, does not make it the best bat.

I agree. Just because it feels good in your hands does not make it the best bat for you. Now, finding what makes it the best bat for you could be a very long procedure.

 

[BruceinGa]

Hitting homers with a SR bat is easy.

It may be easy for you and some 50 or 60 year olds but not for all.
While in Florida this past 10 days I played in three tournaments. In all of those games there were only three guys that hit home runs, two were on my team.
As we grow old its not that common to see home runs.

 

[swingnmiss]

I agree. Just because it feels good in your hands does not make it the best bat for you. Now, finding what makes it the best bat for you could be a very long procedure.

Right!!! This is why whenever I get together with my friends and teammates to hit, we put everything out and say, "Swing what you want......." Because you take 10, 15 cuts with a bat and pick another one up and go, "This is ****......", or "Woah.....I like this......." There's been a lot times I've been happy with my bat and swung someone else's and then ran out and bought one.

 

[RokRaider826]

I love this kind of stuff...... Totally incorrect. That bat that fits your swing, does not make it the best bat. If someone swings a Walmart Easton Hammer and gets base hits....That doesn't make it the best bat, or the best bat for them. If, they get a Suncoast Mele or Ultra, for example and swung it until they got used to it and figured it out, they'd get better results and then the whole, "It's easy to hit home runs with a senior bat........" and shrug like you're awesome is also funny. Not everyone does.....Because not everyone can. We should be helping people to figure it out not, "I'm awesome, you're not................. *shrug*............ "

That is your opinion and you are totally within your right to your opinion. The bat that fits YOUR swing is the best for YOU. I have swung the Suncoast and the Ultra, great bats but I like the Proton Series 2 better. So for ME, that bat fits my swing and is a better bat for me. No where did I say for him not to try several different bats until he finds the bat he likes. Also of course someone is going to hit better with a composite bat compared to a crappy metal bat from Walmart. That goes without saying but there some people who hit better with their old school metal bats. Far as my comment about it is easy to hit home runs with a SR bat. That comes from always seeing people when they rave about a bat the 1st thing they mention is distance. Like you said not everyone hits home runs so hearing someone mention the distance THEY hit a ball with said bat does those who don’t hit homers any good. For the record I am not a home run hitter either but I do find that I have hit more homers with SR bats than I did with my old Utrip or ASA bats. Not sure how you took a shrug coming off as me saying I’m awesome and you’re not. But ok if that is how you took it.

 

[hitless45]

This topic is so subjective and comes up way to often. Everyone who chime in will give THEIR opinion based on THEIR experiences with certain bats, some do proceed to say the correct thing, that a bat that works/fits well for me doesn't mean it will be the same for you/someone else

 

[jhitman]

My main thought on asking the question was an opinion on what are the best senior bats on the market. In our senior leagues they don't allow us to use senior bats unless we are 75. I wanted to get one just for tournament play. I prefer an endloaded 1 piece bat with a bigger barrel if possible. I should have specified that when I asked the question. I am still able at 67 to hit 44 cor balls over the fence with a regular USSSA bat.....not as much as when I was younger though. My question should have been what are the best senior bats that fit what I'm looking for. I agree with those who spoke on feel. I don't really care what the bat feels like as I can get used to any bat over time as long as it's endloaded and has a bigger barrel if possible. I know most guys here that have senior bats have the smaller 12" barrels. I prefer 13" and was eyeing the Mario Foster senior bat.

Also, I agree with BruceinGA. In my senior league this Spring/Summer I was the only person to hit a HR over the fence (300' fences). I had to do it using a regular USSSA bat. There are many guys that just turned 75/76 that were able to use senior bats. Most had Melee's or Ultra's and they still did not hit HR's. Like Bruce said, not everyone can hit HR's whether using a senior bat or not. It sucks to get old........

 

[hitless45]

The Mario foster is a great choice from the reviews I've seen/read. I believe prior to the 2023 model the reviews were not so good, but last years and this years version had great reviews.

 

[jhitman]

The Mario foster is a great choice from the reviews I've seen/read. I believe prior to the 2023 model the reviews were not so good, but last years and this years version had great reviews.

I had heard the same thing. Also, a lot of the groups that demo bats gave it rave reviews. I believe it's a 13" barrel too. One question on senior bats.....do any of them come with a warranty??? Most guys here that have them told me no warranty on their senior bats, but I wasn't sure if that's the case across the board.

 

[hitless45]

I had heard the same thing. Also, a lot of the groups that demo bats gave it rave reviews. I believe it's a 13" barrel too. One question on senior bats.....do any of them come with a warranty??? Most guys here that have them told me no warranty on their senior bats, but I wasn't sure if that's the case across the board.

Yes I believe the foster is 13". As far as warranty I believe I've read somewhere that the Louisville senior carry a warranty. Not 100% sure on that, it may have been earlier on when they first started making them. I would think that considering their starting price point they would have a warranty. The MSRP on them or at least the ones I've looked at are $260+ so idk. I'll have to chx that out next time I look at them

 

[hitless45]

Slugger slow pitch site says they carry a one year warranty within the description of the bats

 

[jhitman]

Slugger slow pitch site says they carry a one year warranty within the description of the bats

Thanks Hitless45. The senior bat is not a rush for me right now as it's the off-season here. I am still trying to get the Combat CR-1 Bradley Jones USSSA bat. They seem to be out of stock right now, but heard they may have some in Dec. I have tried to contact Combat CS twice and have yet to receive a response from them. I hope the bat is better than their Customer Service.

 

[hitless45]

Thanks Hitless45. The senior bat is not a rush for me right now as it's the off-season here. I am still trying to get the Combat CR-1 Bradley Jones USSSA bat. They seem to be out of stock right now, but heard they may have some in Dec. I have tried to contact Combat CS twice and have yet to receive a response from them. I hope the bat is better than their Customer Service.

Well there's one way to find out. I hope you get what you want. As for me, I haven't played in 3+ years and am old enough to play seniors ball. I certainly will not buy any of this new non senior stuff unless they get to blowout prices. Idk why I'm even considering buying anything at all anymore but may try to grab a senior bat or two Incase I decided to give senior ball a try.

 

[jhitman]

Well there's one way to find out. I hope you get what you want. As for me, I haven't played in 3+ years and am old enough to play seniors ball. I certainly will not buy any of this new non senior stuff unless they get to blowout prices. Idk why I'm even considering buying anything at all anymore but may try to grab a senior bat or two Incase I decided to give senior ball a try.

I would love to just buy senior bats, but unfortunately our senior leagues don't let you swing them unless you are 75. I am 67 so I can only use USSSA or USA bats. We use a pitching net in our 60+ league and a 44 cor softball. I'm not sure why they just don't allow everyone to use a senior bat. The players using them that are about 75/76 aren't hitting HR's with them. Also, we play on 300' fenced fields.