Posted by: John (wildgeneral@yahoo.com) on Thu Mar 31 08:51:59 2005

Are there real discernable differences between the wood bats on the market today beyond the type of wood (white ash, maple, bamboo)?

Also, what about composite-coated bats? Do they provide similar distance as their 'uncoated' counterparts? I know that they are more durable, but what about pop?

Louisville Slugger has had the market for the better part of the 20th century, but there are a number of other companies who have recently gotten MLB endorsements (Carolina Clubs, SamBats, Tuff Bats/Xbat, etc)--how do these companies stack up against Louisville Slugger's line of wood bats?

Our league just went to wood this year and I want to buy the best quality wood bat available--thanks for any insight.