If you’re in the market for a new wood baseball bat, look no further than Rawlings ash bats. Here’s why:
Rawlings Ash Bats Have a Reputation for Durability
Any baseball player will tell you, durability is key in a bat. You want something that will hold up swing after swing without breaking down. Rawlings ash is known industry-wide for its strength and resilience. The dense grain patterns make Rawlings ash bats highly resistant to cracks and fractures. While most wood bats have a lifespan of a season or two, it’s not uncommon for a Rawlings ash bat to last several seasons in the hands of amateur players. The pros trust them too – Rawlings ash is consistently one of the top bat models swung in Major League Baseball. So when it comes to sheer durability, Rawlings ash is hard to top.
Rawlings Ash Provides Great Pop and Power
In addition to durability, Rawlings ash bats deliver great pop and power at the plate. The flex and responsiveness of ash wood allows hitters to really whip the bat through the zone, generating explosive speed and distance. The hits jump off a Rawlings ash bat, giving sluggers the ability to drive balls into the gaps and over the fence. While models like maple may feel stiffer and produce a harder contact, true power hitters love the whip-like momentum of a swung ash bat. That lightning quick swing speed translates to raw power. Just ask the MLB players who consistently drive in runs with Rawlings ash bats in their hands.
Rawlings Uses Top-Quality Wood for Ash Bats
The reason Rawlings ash bats perform so well is because Rawlings sources the highest quality ash wood on the market. They use dense, straight-grained ash cut from the heart of the tree. This provides superior flex, hardness and durability over low-grade ashwood. Rawlings also perfectly kiln-dries their ash wood, reducing the moisture content to around 6%. This seasoning process maximizes the hitting life of the bats. When you choose Rawlings, you know you’re getting ash wood carefully selected for optimal grain and performance. It’s a key reason why their ash bats have been trusted for decades by professional players.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Balanced Swing Weights
A big benefit of Rawlings ash bats is their balanced swing weight, making them easy for all hitters to control. Many bat makers end up producing models with unbalanced, end-loaded swing weights that can tire out hitters’ hands and wrists. But Rawlings carefully distributes the weight across the whole bat for a balanced feel in your hands. This lets you whip the bat through the zone freely while maintaining control and avoiding fatigue. For effortless swings inning after inning, the balanced swing weight of Rawlings ash bats is ideal.
There are plenty more reasons why Rawlings ash bats have been my go-to for years. Their variety of handle and barrel sizes accommodates any hitter’s preferences. Turning models like the popular 271 provide the smoothest possible swing plane. Rawlings ash withstands those menacing 100 mph fastballs better than most woods. And the affordability makes them accessible for players of all levels. So if you want a light swinging, powerful, durable wood bat, step up to the plate with confidence using Rawlings ash.
If you’re looking to maximize pop and power at the plate, Rawlings ash bats deliver. The quick swing speed and flex of ash wood creates explosive bat speed through the hitting zone. Here’s why Rawlings ash provides such great pop and power:
Rawlings Ash Provides Great Pop and Power
One of the biggest benefits of swinging Rawlings ash bats is the lightning quick bat speed it allows. The lighter weight and flexible properties of ash make it easy to whip the bat through the zone with tremendous momentum. That build up of swing speed generates a whip-like effect right before contact, resulting in shots that jump off the bat.
Compare that to a maple bat, which often feels stiffer and more rigid at contact. While maple produces good bat control, the stiffness can slow bat speed a fraction. That fraction makes a big difference when you need to turn on an inside fastball or send a pitch into the gap. The flex of ash lets you achieve max swing speed, even on quicker swings.
In addition, Rawlings meticulously drys and cures their ash wood to create the optimal flex profile loved by power hitters. Some ash can be brittle if it’s too dry or slow swinging when wet. By properly seasoning their ash bats, Rawlings unlocks the perfect flex and responsiveness to produce explosive pop.
Whip-Like Swing Speed Off the Bat
Just ask any MLB slugger who steps in the box with a Rawlings ash bat – the whip-like swing speed translates to shots that jump off the bat at contact. The flex of the barrel lets hitters really extend through the ball before releasing that stored up energy in a split second. You can almost hear the bat whistling as it comes through zone. That last millisecond snap of the barrel produces screamers down the lines or moonshots into the stands.
Great Balance Between Power and Control
While ash bats deliver more flex and momentum than say maple, the swing still feels controllable in your hands. The balance and lighter swing weight prevents the bat from feeling like it’s overpowering your swing. You get the best of both worlds – the whip-like momentum to unlock power along with precise bat control.
Whether turning on inside pitches or going oppo, Rawlings ash gives you the pop to drive the gaps while keeping your swing in sync. For me, the explosive power from Rawlings ash is a game changer at the dish.
After trying dozens of bat models over my career, I keep coming back to Rawlings ash for one reason – pure pop. If you’re looking to take your power hitting to the next level, unleash the whip-like speed of a Rawlings ash bat your next time up.
A big reason why Rawlings ash bats perform so well is because Rawlings sources only the best ash wood for their bats. They carefully select wood with ideal grain patterns to maximize the durability, flex and power that hitters expect from a Rawlings ash bat.
Rawlings Uses Top-Quality Wood for Ash Bats
Rawlings starts with ash wood harvested from the dense, straight-grained heartwood of ash trees. This inner wood is less prone to cracking and flaking compared to lower-grade ash harvested nearer the bark. The dense grain patterns make for a more rigid, hardy bat.
In addition, Rawlings meticulously air-dries their ash wood in specialized kilns. By slowly reducing the moisture content to around 6%, they properly cure the wood for superior performance. Too much moisture makes the bats sluggish and prone to breaking, while over-drying causes brittleness. Rawlings’ expert woodworkers have perfected the curing process over decades of bat making.
Careful Selection of the Best Ash Wood
Rawlings maintains close relationships with professional loggers and mills to hand select the best ash timber. Their scouts examine each tree and log for optimal grain straightness, density and growth ring patterns. Only the highest-grade ash makes the cut for Rawlings bats.
This attention to detail allows Rawlings to choose wood with the perfect flex and hardness attributes for baseball bats. The visual grain qualities also provide clues to the wood’s durability. By starting with excellent raw materials, Rawlings ensures unmatched performance and longevity in their final bats.
Custom Drying and Curing
After harvest, Rawlings takes over the wood curing process themselves. They use advanced kilns to slowly reduce the internal moisture content of the ash logs and boards through air-drying. This drying and seasoning process can take over 6 months until the wood stabilizes at the ideal moisture percentage for bat making.
It’s a delicately balanced process. Too much moisture leaves bats heavy and prone to breakage, while over-drying causes brittleness and reduced bat life. After decades perfecting their curing techniques, Rawlings has it down to a science for unmatched bat performance.
So when you choose a Rawlings ash bat, you can trust that only the highest quality ash wood was selected and cured to deliver the power, flex and durability that hitters demand. It’s why generations of players have come to rely on the consistency and excellence of Rawlings ash bats over the long haul.
One of the great benefits of swinging a Rawlings ash bat is the balanced swing weight. Unlike some bats that feel end-loaded and cumbersome, Rawlings carefully distributes the weight for effortless control.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Balanced Swing Weights
Many bat makers end up producing wood bats with unbalanced swing weights, due to inconsistencies in the drying process or poor construction. This can leave more weight in the barrel compared to the handle, causing the bat to feel heavy and unwieldy in your hands.
But Rawlings masters the curing, turning, and finishing stages to produce ash bats with perfectly balanced swing weights. The weight is evenly spread from knob to end cap, so the bat feels light and quick in your hands.
Light Swing Through the Zone
With a Rawlings ash bat, you can really whip it through the hitting zone thanks to that balanced feel. The swing stays loose and controlled in your hands, rather than having too much weight out front. Your wrists and forearms stay fresh even during long games or batting practices. That’s crucial for maintaining both power and bat control when fatigued.
Easier to Adjust Mid-Swing
The balanced weight also lets you subtly adjust your swing plane mid-motion. Say you started swinging expecting an outside pitch but it tails back over the inner half. With the light feel of a Rawlings ash bat, it’s easy to bring the barrel in and still make solid contact. An end-loaded bat makes quick adjustments much more difficult.
In addition, the balance keeps your swing mechanics in a smooth groove instead of overpowering you. Your normal hand path, rotation and follow-through stay synchronized. So for optimizing your existing hitting motions, trust the balanced swing weight of a Rawlings ash bat.
For me, the balanced feel of Rawlings ash removes any distraction from the equation. I can just focus on the pitcher, reaction time and swinging aggressively. My hands and wrists stay fresh even when hitting for power. If you want effortless control from knob to label, balance out your swing with a Rawlings ash bat.
One great thing about Rawlings ash bats is the wide range of handle and barrel sizes available. No matter your hitting style or preference, Rawlings offers an ash bat model with the ideal specs for you.
Rawlings Ash Bat Models Offer Variety of Handle and Barrel Sizes
Rawlings produces their ash bat models in a range of handle diameters and barrel sizes. On the handle front, choose from thinner handles like the R110 to thicker styles like the R161. Handle taper profiles also vary from more dramatic tapers to straighter barrels.
For barrel size, Rawlings ash bats come in well-balanced mid-sized barrels along with more powerful large barrels. The barrel shapes also provide options, from a traditional cylindrically-shaped barrel to a flared barrel end. Rawlings gives you choices for the sweet spot as well.
Find Your Ideal Handle and Taper
No two hitters share the exact same grip and swing path preferences. So Rawlings offers ash bats with thinner, medium or thick handle diameters to suit your particular hand size and comfort. The taper profiles range from a fast, whippy feel with a long taper, or a smoother transition with a shorter taper into the barrel.
Match Your Power Needs with the Barrel
On the barrel end, pick a size that matches your power needs and swing speed. For balanced control, a standard mid-sized barrel works well. Or size up to a large barrel to maximize your power potential. Rawlings ash bat models make it easy to size the barrel length, diameter and shape to your hitting style.
Instead of settling for a one-size-fits-all bat, you can dial in the handle and barrel specs with Rawlings’ wide range of ash models. Whether you value control, speed or power, Rawlings gives you options to configure your ideal ash bat.
One of the most popular ash bat models from Rawlings is the 271 turning model. This high-demand profile offers an ideal combo of balance, control and power.
Rawlings Ash Bats Come in Different Turning Models Like 271
The turning model refers to the specific bat profile created during the shaping process. It controls specs like the handle thickness, the barrel taper, and the overall weight distribution.
The 271 turning model is a favorite among contact hitters for its excellent balance. The barrel gradually tapers into a thin handle, distributing the weight evenly from end to end. This creates a smooth, controlled swing.
Balanced Feel of the 271 Turning Model
Compared to a jerky or end-loaded swing with other models, the 271 promotes a level, smooth plane through the hitting zone. The barrel doesn’t feel too heavy or unwieldy before contact, allowing excellent bat control.
In addition, the 271 swing weight and feel stays consistent season after season. That familiarity breeds confidence for players who’ve swung 271 models for years.
Great For All Contact Hitters
The 271 excels for contact hitters looking for superb balance. The model suits a short, compact swing rather than an uppercut loft-style swing. Rawlings turns their ash bats in a variety of models, but for many, the 271 remains the gold standard.
If you value smooth transitions, a hand-roll feel, and balanced weight distribution from knob to end cap, try out a 271-turned Rawlings ash bat.
One of the best endorsements of Rawlings ash bats is their popularity among Major League players. The pros who make a living with their bats consistently trust and approve Rawlings ash.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Approval of MLB Players
Walk through any MLB dugout and you’ll see Rawlings ash bats scattered around. Top hitters like Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Josh Donaldson, and Mookie Betts all swing Rawlings ash models as their gamers.
After testing out countless bats from various companies, these pros choose the performance, consistency and durability of Rawlings ash time and again. The bat maker’s reputation in the big leagues speaks for itself.
Trusted Bat of Veterans
In addition to today’s stars, MLB veterans have long endorsed Rawlings ash bats stretching back generations. Legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, and Tony Gwynn all swung Rawlings ash bats for the majority of their careers.
When your product stays a favorite of pros across eras, despite constant new bat technologies and models, you know it’s a winner. The continued approval by MLB players shows Rawlings ash passes the test season after season.
Ideal Balance of Control and Power
Talk to the pros and they’ll tell you Rawlings ash provides the ideal bat profile. The flex and responsiveness generates lightning-quick swing speed and power, along with excellent barrel control through the hitting zone. It’s the perfect balance of attributes that MLB players demand.
If Rawlings ash consistently meets the standards of the best hitters in the world, you can trust it will come through for your swing too.
With pitchers consistently ramping up velocities into the upper 90s, your bat really takes a beating nowadays. That’s why Rawlings ash is an ideal choice – it holds up incredibly well against those lightning fast pitches.
Rawlings Ash Withstands High Pitch Velocities Well
Watch a game today and you’ll see pitchers routinely hitting 98, 99, even 100+ mph on the radar gun. All that speed places massive strain on the bat at contact. Lower quality woods tend to crack or fracture more easily against those blistering pitches.
But the dense grain structure and hardness of Rawlings ash makes it highly resistant to those heavy velocity impacts. The shock absorbing properties help dissipate the energy so your bat stays intact.
Reduces Vibrations and Stinging
In addition to durability, Rawlings ash bats do an excellent job reducing unpleasant vibrations when facing high heaters. You know the stinging sensation when you make less than perfect contact on a hard fastball. Rawlings ash provides a more forgiving response, limiting vibrations through the handle into your hands.
Trusted by Power Hitters
That durability and vibration dampening is why many MLB sluggers consistently step in the box with Rawlings ash bats. Players like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge who eat up fastballs for breakfast know their Rawlings ash models can handle the velocity demands and heavy contact.
Whether turning on inside pitches or attacking high heat, you want a bat built to withstand today’s fastballs. Trust your swing to Rawlings ash.
One overlooked benefit of swinging a Rawlings ash bat is the potential to boost your batting average. The right bat specifications can really help you make more consistent contact.
Rawlings Ash Bats Can Improve Batting Average
Sure, your own hitting mechanics and skills have the biggest impact on batting average. But don’t underestimate how the right bat can raise your consistency at the plate. The perfect bat specs tailored to your swing can definitely help you make more solid contact.
That’s an area where Rawlings ash bats shine. With all the handle, barrel, and turning model options, you can dial in an ash bat calibrated for your swing path for more predictable contact.
Find Your Ideal Bat Profile
No two swings are identical, so Rawlings offers huge customization with their ash bats. Maybe you need a thicker handle diameter or a certain turning model like a 271. Or perhaps a larger barrel boosts your contact percentage.
With Rawlings, you can experiment with profiles until you find your personal bat “sweet spot”. That fine tuning can definitely translate into more barrels struck and bases covered.
Great Barrel Control
In addition to customization, Rawlings ash provides excellent barrel control through the hitting zone. That keeps the bat steady as you make contact, cutting down on mishits. Even on off-center hits, the ball jumps off a Rawlings ash bat.
Controlling the barrel and making continuous smooth contact is what raises batting averages. So equip yourself with a Rawlings ash bat tailored and tuned to your swing.
One thing I love about Rawlings ash bats is the large and forgiving sweet spot. Even when you don’t make perfect contact, the ball still jumps off the barrel.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Large Sweet Spots
Nothing feels better than catching one flush on the sweet spot. But in game situations, you can’t always barrel it up perfectly. Off-center hits are common. Here’s where Rawlings ash excels – the sweet spot and hitting zone feel very forgiving.
Due to the responsive flex and pop of the barrel, even non-flush hits seem to explode off the bat. Hits away from the end of the barrel still carry well. The whole barrel profile feels like one big sweet spot.
Extended Sweet Spot Along the Barrel
Some bat materials and designs really limit the effective hitting zone to a small section near the label. But with Rawlings ash, the barrel flexes in a way that widens that sweet-feeling impact zone.
Even on the hands or away from the end of the barrel, the Rawlings ash bat trampolines the ball and stings less. That makes a big difference on balls chopped or slapped into play.
Reduced Vibration on Off-Center Hits
In addition to performance, Rawlings ash reduces unpleasant sting and vibration on mis-hits. That improved feedback keeps the bat in the zone longer and prevents flinching on close pitches. The more forgiving feel breeds confidence when swinging the bat.
For me, taking advantage of that huge sweet spot improves production when I’m not catching it flush. Rawlings ash gives you room for error while punishing the ball.
One underrated benefit of a Rawlings ash bat is the shock absorbing properties. Rawlings ash helps reduce sting and vibration, especially on mishits.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Good Shock Absorption
Even when you make flush contact, a baseball bat can deliver a fair amount of sting and vibration into your hands. Now imagine catching one off the end of the barrel or on the handle – that stinging sensation gets dialed up to 11.
But the inherent properties of Rawlings ash provide excellent shock absorption to reduce that unpleasant feeling. The wood flexes and compresses in a way that dampens vibration off non-ideal contact points.
Minimizes Painful Sting and Numbness
That vibration dampening ensures less energy and sting transmitted back into your hands, wrists and arms. You know that awful numb sensation you get when jamming your hands on a pitch. Rawlings ash helps minimize that.
Reduced sting means you can grip the bat with confidence and keep your hands loose and quick through the hitting zone, rather than tightening up apprehensively.
Maintains Consistent Swing Throughout Games
The shock absorption also helps maintain your normal swing tempo and mechanics during long games when your hands get sore. Even late in games when swinging with tired, aching hands, a Rawlings ash bat won’t punish you as badly on mishits.
Trust me, your hands will thank you after a doubleheader when swinging a forgiving Rawlings ash bat all day long.
An appealing detail about Rawlings bats is that they are crafted and produced right here in the United States. Rawlings uses local resources for an authentic wood bat swinging experience.
Rawlings Ash Bats are Made in the United States
Rawlings operates their wood bat manufacturing exclusively out of their facilities in Missouri and Pennsylvania. From sourcing the ash timber to completing the finished bats, they keep the process on U.S. soil.
In an industry dominated by cheap foreign-made bats, Rawlings takes pride in being an American-made product. Their bats pass through American hands from start to finish.
Locally Sourced Ash Timber
A benefit of U.S. manufacturing is Rawlings maintains close control over ash timber sourcing. They procure raw ash logs from managed forests around the Midwest and Northeast regions.
This ensures the wood meets their high standards and isn’t shipped internationally before getting batched out to factories abroad. The ash truly is a local homegrown product.
Skilled Craftsmanship
In addition, the woodworkers shaping the bats all have decades of bat making expertise. Rawlings’ American batsmiths have been perfecting their craft for generations, which translates into a quality finished product.
So when picking up a Rawlings ash bat, you can feel good knowing it was crafted locally by experienced professionals, not mass-produced anonymously overseas.
Considering the excellent quality and performance, Rawlings ash bats are very reasonably and affordably priced. You get great value without breaking the bank.
Rawlings Ash Bats are Affordably Priced
High-end bat makers can charge premium prices upwards of $150 or more for pro-level wood bats. But Rawlings delivers pro-caliber ash bats at affordable price points for all players.
Most Rawlings ash bat models retail between $50-80, with frequent sales bringing them under $50. Very budget-friendly for a long-lasting wood bat.
Great Quality at Low Cost
Keep in mind the Rawlings name and reputation carries a lot of clout and cache in the baseball world. You’re getting a bat maker known for outfitting countless MLB stars at everyday reasonable prices.
The affordable pricing makes Rawlings a great value for youth, high school, and recreational league players on a budget.
Investment That Lasts
Due to the dense ash wood and durable construction, a Rawlings bat will easily outlast cheaper or discounted wood bats that crack and break prematurely.
While more expensive upfront, a Rawlings ash bat will save you money in the long run since one bat can last multiple seasons with proper care. An investment in quality and performance.
A hallmark of Rawlings bats is the outstanding craftsmanship and attention to detail in every bat. You can feel the quality and care put into a Rawlings ash bat.
Rawlings Ash Bats Have Excellent Craftsmanship
From the moment you pick up a Rawlings ash bat in the rack, the craftsmanship is evident. The turning models display beautiful attention to detail and symmetry. The finishes feel smooth to the touch both on the barrel and handle.
Chalk it up to generations of bat making expertise and pride in their work. Rawlings’ woodworkers are true craftsmen honing their trade.
Heirloom-Quality Bats
In today’s world of mass production and corner cutting, it’s refreshing to see a product meticulously crafted by human hands. Each Rawlings bat passes through the palms of experienced bat makers.
That personal touch and patience shines through in the care you observe in the turning models, labeling, engraving, and finishing. True heirloom-quality work.
Precision Craftsmanship
In addition to visual appeal, the precision craftsmanship translates into performance. The balance, swing weight, flex profile, and durability all stem from painstaking care during shaping and finishing.
You feel more connected to a classic handmade tool like a Rawlings bat, as opposed to something churned out hastily by a machine. And you can trust it to perform season after season thanks to that craftsmanship.
When evaluating your wood bat options, Rawlings ash bats stand out for offering tremendous performance and value.
Rawlings Ash Bats Offer Great Value for Performance
It’s easy to get lured in by cheap wood bats that seem like a good deal. But most sub-$50 bats are made from lower quality materials that won’t last. You end up buying new bats every season.
Rawlings ash represents an ideal balance – pro-level performance at affordable prices for any budget. The durability also ensures the bats keep performing season after season.
Quality AND Affordability
Some bat makers sacrifice performance to hit certain price points. Others jack up prices for “premium” gear that recreational players don’t need. But Rawlings delivers the best of both worlds.
Investing a little more upfront means you get a bat engineered to swing true and last years. Plus it performs as well as models costing twice as much.
Value That Keeps on Giving
Because of the longevity and consistency of Rawlings ash bats, you’re gaining long-term value. Once you dial in your ideal turning model and specs, that bat can keep delivering for seasons to come.
Rather than gambling on cheap bats, go with a trusted Rawlings ash bat designed for the long haul. Excellent bang for your buck.