Hitting with BABE RUTH & HONUS WAGNER's 40-ounce Wood Bats
TLDRIn this video, the host explores the performance of historical baseball bats, including replicas of Babe Ruth's and Honus Wagner's bats. By comparing these vintage bats made of ash and hickory to modern maple bats, the host discovers that heavier bats from the past, though challenging to swing, generate impressive exit velocities. The experiment highlights the evolution of baseball equipment and the impact of changes in pitching speeds on bat technology.
Takeaways
- ๐ The video compares various historical and modern baseball bats, including replicas of Babe Ruth's and Honus Wagner's bats.
- ๐ The modern bat used for comparison is a maple wood 332 30.5 oz bat, which is not a common size for minor league players.
- ๐ณ Different types of wood were used in the past (Ash and Hickory) compared to today (Maple and Birch), with maple being the most popular.
- ๐ฅ The older bats were heavier, which was suitable for the slower pitching and softer balls of the past.
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ The video demonstrates that swinging heavier bats can generate more power, but it requires significant effort and adjustment.
- ๐ The performance of the bats was found to be similar, with the heavier bats providing more juice when successfully swung.
- ๐ The Babe Ruth bat, made of Hickory, was noted for its end-loaded feel and impressive exit velocity.
- ๐ฅ The Honus Wagner bat, also made of Hickory, was difficult to swing due to its weight and required a different technique.
- ๐ The 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson bat, an Ash bat, was challenging to handle due to its weight and size.
- ๐ฒ Hickory wood was preferred over Ash for its ability to thrive when heavy and provide a hotter bat with more mass.
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ The video concludes that while heavier bats can generate more power, they are not practical for modern baseball due to the faster pitching speeds.
Q & A
What types of historical baseball bats were discussed in the transcript?
-The transcript discusses Babe Ruth's bat, Honus Wagner's bat, Mickey Mantle's bat, and Shoeless Joe's bat.
What is the weight of the Honus Wagner bat mentioned in the transcript?
-The Honus Wagner bat is 45 ounces.
What was the common size of the bat used by the speaker for reference?
-The reference bat size used by the speaker is a maple wood 332 30.5 o wood bat.
What are the materials used for baseball bats in different eras as mentioned in the transcript?
-In the past, bats were made from Ash and Hickory, while modern bats are mostly made from Maple and Birch.
How does the speaker describe the difference in swinging heavier bats compared to lighter ones?
-The speaker describes heavier bats as more difficult to swing due to their weight, but they can generate more heat and power when connected with the ball.
What was the estimated pitching speed in the era when heavier bats were common?
-The estimated pitching speed in the era when heavier bats were common was around 75 to 85 mph, with the fastest pitchers like Walter Johnson possibly throwing around 90 mph.
What is the speaker's opinion on the performance of the heavier bats compared to modern bats?
-The speaker finds the performance of the heavier bats to be similar to modern bats in terms of generating power, but notes that the heavier bats were more suitable for the slower pitching and softer balls of their time.
Which type of wood did the speaker prefer for heavier bats and why?
-The speaker preferred Hickory for heavier bats because it thrives when heavy and is denser, leading to more heat and power upon impact with the ball.
What is the main takeaway from the discussion about heavy bats in the transcript?
-The main takeaway is that heavier bats can generate more power but are harder to swing, especially in the context of modern baseball where pitching speeds are much faster.
What was the exit velocity achieved when using Babe Ruth's bat in the transcript?
-The exit velocity achieved when using Babe Ruth's bat was 105 mph.
What is the significance of the 'Mass equals gas' phrase mentioned in the transcript?
-The phrase 'Mass equals gas' refers to the idea that heavier bats can generate more power or 'gas' when they make solid contact with the ball, which was advantageous in the era of slower pitches and softer balls.
Outlines
๐ Historical Bat Comparison and Testing
This paragraph discusses the comparison of modern baseball bats with historical replicas, including those used by famous players like Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner. The speaker evaluates the size, weight, and material of the bats, such as maple, ash, and hickory, and shares their experiences swinging these bats. The focus is on how the bats from different eras compare in performance and the challenges of using heavier bats from the past.
๐ Bat Performance Analysis
In this section, the speaker analyzes the performance of the historical bats, comparing them to modern ones. The discussion includes the impact of the bats' weight and material on their hitting capabilities, as well as the differences in swinging techniques required for the older, heavier bats. The speaker also reflects on the advantages of using heavier bats during the era of slower pitches and softer balls.
๐ Insights on Heavy Bats and Their Effectiveness
The speaker concludes the video by summarizing the main takeaways from testing the heavy historical bats. They highlight the challenges of swinging such heavy bats and the reasons why they were effective in their original era, attributing their hitting power to the slower pitches and the nature of the balls used at the time. The speaker also shares their personal preferences regarding the type of wood that performs best when heavy, emphasizing the superior performance of Hickory in heavier weights.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กBabe Ruth's bat
๐กHonus Wagner's bat
๐กMickey Mantle's bat
๐กJoe Jackson's bat
๐กMaple wood bats
๐กBat performance
๐กHickory bats
๐กAsh bats
๐กExit velocity
๐กChoke up
๐กDead ball era
Highlights
The video features the testing of exact replicas of historical baseball bats used by famous players such as Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner.
The modern bat used for comparison is made of maple wood, with a size of 332 30.5 oz.
Historically, ash and hickory were the primary materials for baseball bats, as opposed to the current popularity of maple and birch.
The Babe Ruth replica bat is made of hickory and weighs a significant 45 ounces.
Despite the heavier weight, the hickory bat used by Babe Ruth was found to generate impressive exit velocities upon impact.
The Honus Wagner bat, also made of hickory, has a unique 345 45 size and required a different swinging technique due to its weight.
The experiment shows that heavier bats can generate more power, which was advantageous in the era of slower pitches and softer balls.
Modern players do not use bats over 40 ounces due to the faster pitch speeds and the need for precision in hitting.
Hickory is preferred over ash for heavier bats as it provides a denser and hotter swing.
The video demonstrates the evolution of baseball bat technology and the impact of changes in pitch speeds on equipment.
The importance of the bat's weight and material in relation to the era's pitching characteristics is highlighted.
The testing of historical bat replicas provides insights into the performance differences between past and present baseball equipment.
The video showcases the challenges of swinging heavier bats and the adjustments required in technique.
The experiment compares the performance of bats from different eras, shedding light on the evolution of the game.
The video concludes that while heavier bats can generate power, they are not suitable for the modern game due to the increased pitch speeds.