BBCORs (or adult baseball bats) are used in High School, Collegiate and also some Middle School leagues – their barrel should not exceed 2 5/8 inches and the maximum allowed drop is -3.
The best BBCOR baseball bat should offer great playing capabilities and an affordable price – we recommend you the following models:
Best for the money: Quality baseball bat for a good price – it swings well and offers excellent balance, great pop and a nice grip.
Silky smooth swing: High quality alloy bat that offers an extra-smooth swing with no sting or vibration, perfect balance and great pop.
Top quality composite: High quality composite bat – great balance, plenty of pop, comfortable grip and no vibration.
* price is only approximate, it depends on size and seller
Comparison
| Model | Material | Price | UK CA | Our rating  |
Drop  |
Available sizes |
Barrel | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easton S500 BBCOR |
7050 aircraft alloy | —* |   |
 |
-3 | 31″-34″ | 2 5/8″ | 1 year |
 Easton S3Z BBCOR |
Hyperlite Matrix alloy | —* | |
|
-3 | 31″-34″ | 2 5/8″ | 1 year |
 Marucci Cat 6 BBCOR |
aluminum alloy | —* | |
 |
-3 | 31″-34″ | 2 5/8″ | 1 year |
 Easton Mako Comp BBCOR |
TCTATM Thermo Composite | —* | |
|
-3 | 31″-34″ | 2 5/8″ | 1 year |
* price is only approximate, it depends on size and seller
Choosing the right BBCOR bat size
| Weight / Height | 4’1″- 4’4″ | 4’5″- 4’8″ | 4’9″- 5′ | 5’1″- 5’4″ | 5’5″- 5’8″ | 5’9″- 6′ | 6’1″- over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 – 80 lbs | 31″ | ||||||
| 81 – 90 lbs | 31″ | ||||||
| 91 – 100 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 31″ | ||||
| 101 – 110 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 32″ | ||||
| 111 – 120 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 32″ | ||||
| 121 – 130 lbs | 31″ | 32″ | 32″ | 33″ | |||
| 131 – 140 lbs | 31″ | 32″ | 32″ | 33″ | 33″ | ||
| 141 – 150 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 32″ | 33″ | 33″ | 33″ | |
| 151 – 160 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 31″ | 32″ | 33″ | 33″ | 34″ |
| 161 – 170 lbs | 31″ | 31″ | 32″ | 32″ | 33″ | 33″ | 34″ |
| 171 – 180 lbs | 31″ | 32″ | 32″ | 33″ | 34″ | 34″ | |
| Over 180 lbs | 33″ | 33″ | 34″ | 34″ |
What is a BBCOR baseball bat?
As we have mentioned in the beginning, BBCOR bats are used in High School and College leagues – and you can recognize such a bat by a BBCOR .50 certification mark on the barrel.
To be able to receive that stamp, an adult baseball bat has to meet 2 conditions – the barrel must not exceed 2 5/8″ and drop can be -3 at the most.
What is the reason behind the BBCOR certification?
In 2009 it became obvious the former standard BESR (ball exit speed ration) is becoming obsolete – due to the improved trampoline effect of composite bats and increased ball speed, the safety of pitchers was questioned.
So a new standard has been introduced: BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution and measures the trampoline effect of the bat. It has been determined that if the 0.50 coefficient is exceeded, a pitcher loses the ability to protect himself – and that’s where the .50 certification mark comes from.
Easton S500 BBCOR Review
The Easton S500 BBCOR is a quality baseball bat for a good price. It swings well and offers excellent balance, great pop and a nice grip.
* depends on size and seller
Pros:
- Great pop
- Well balanced, nice grip
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- none significant
Specifications:
- Material: 7050 Aircraft alloy
- Sizes: 31″-34″
- Drop: -3
- Barrel: 2 5/8″
- Warranty: 1 year
The S500 from Easton is our most recommended BBCOR baseball bat for the money – it’s one of the cheaper bats out there, but offers quality and playing capabilities similar to much more expensive models.
Users love its balance and report it swings well – it’s easy to get around on any ball. It offers a decent sized sweet spot and great pop, the ball really jumps off the bat.
Another plus of this bat is the grip – it has great feel, there are very little vibrations and no issues with stinging. And the color design is also cool, that vibrant neon color contrast nicely with the dark handle.
Conclusion: Our top choice for the money – great bat for a very good price
Or find on Amazon or
Easton S3Z BBCOR Review
The Easton S3Z BBCOR is a popular alloy baseball bat. Nicely balanced, with good swing speed and plenty of pop – and it isn’t overly expensive.
* depends on size and seller
Pros:
- Great pop
- Nicely balanced
- Good price
Cons:
- none significant
Specifications:
- Material: Hyperlite Matrix alloy
- Sizes: 31″-34″
- Drop: -3
- Barrel: 2 5/8″
- Warranty: 1 year
From its predecessor (the S3) the S3Z got some extra barrel length and users agree it’s definitely an improvement.
The bat feels nicely balanced, a tiny bit towards the barrel, just to feel it through the zone. It’s also easy to swing and provides a good speed.
For an alloy bat it offers excellent pop, users also like the grip – only when you hit the ball off the handle, it stings pretty hard.
Conclusion: Another great bat for a decent price
Or find on Amazon or
Easton Mako Comp BBCOR Review
The Easton Mako Comp BBCOR is a top quality composite bat. A 2-piece model with great balance, plenty of pop, comfortable grip and no vibration.
* depends on size and seller
Pros:
- Excellent bat, great pop
- Nicely balanced
Cons:
- none
Specifications:
- Material: TCTATM Thermo Composite
- Sizes: 31″-34″
- Drop: -3
- Barrel: 2 5/8″
- Warranty: 1 year
As you can hear in the video, while the Mako Comp from Easton is a high quality bat, it’s seems to be a bit overrated – so it would be ideal if you can get it at a discount.
The 2-piece design helps to maximize energy transfer and eliminate vibration – users report it’s an excellent bat with great pop.
The weight distribution is also top class and makes the transition from youth bats to the BBCOR -3 drop very easy. Plus it offers a nice design and the Cushioned Hyperskin grip with great, soft feel.
Conclusion: High quality 2-piece composite
Or find on Amazon or
Marucci Cat 6 BBCOR Review
The Marucci Cat 6 BBCOR is a top quality one-piece alloy bat. It offers an extra-smooth swing with no sting or vibration, great pop and perfect balance – we highly recommend it.
* depends on size and seller
Pros:
- Extra-smooth feel
- Great pop and balance
- Quality grip
Cons:
- none
Specifications:
- Material: aluminum alloy
- Sizes: 31″-34″
- Drop: -3
- Barrel: 2 5/8″
- Warranty: 1 year
The Marucci CAT 6 is our most recommended BBCOR bat – it’s a one-piece alloy model but the smoothness of the swing is actually very similar to composite bats.
The patented anti-vibration knob (a small rubber piece that absorbs the shock) eliminates the sting and vibration, plus the grip helps in this regard as well. Users even describe is as “fantastic” or “best grip they’ve ever seen”.
The CAT 6 is perfectly balanced and users report great performance, the weight, feel and pop are just amazing. It offers a good-sized sweet spot and the swing is fast enough – there’s no problem catching up to the faster high school pitches.
Conclusion: Top quality one-piece alloy bat with silky smooth swing and great pop
Or find on Amazon or