Hitting with the EASTON ROPE | BBCOR Baseball Bat Review
TLDRIn this review, the new $500 two-piece composite BB Corp Rope from Easton is put to the test against the more affordable Easton Hype Composite and the widely used Rawlings Icon 390. The Rope, despite its high price, offers a similar performance to the Hype, lacking the expected superiority. The Icon 390, on the other hand, delivers a notably better hitting experience. The verdict is clear: for optimal performance and value, the Icon 390 stands out as the top choice among the tested bats.
Takeaways
- 🏑 The Easton Rope is a new $500 two-piece composite baseball bat with technology allegedly derived from the previous year's ADV model.
- 🔥 There has been significant demand and hype surrounding the Rope bat, with many seeking its comparison to other popular models.
- ⚾ The 2023 Easton Hype Composite, referred to as the 'Hype Comp', is a more affordable option at $150 and is used for comparison to the Rope.
- 🏆 The Rawlings Icon 390 is a widely used composite bat in college baseball and is used as a benchmark in this comparison.
- 📈 During testing, the Rope bat initially had a 'pingy' sound and feel, but improved after about 200 swings, suggesting a break-in period is necessary despite claims.
- 💥 The Rope bat showcased a softer and more forgiving sweet spot compared to the Hype Comp, enhancing contact performance.
- 🎾 The weight distribution of the Rope bat is very similar to the Hype Comp, with a slight difference in feel but not significantly in performance.
- 🔢 The exit velocity and performance metrics from hits with the Rope bat were competitive but not superior to the Icon 390 or the Hype Comp.
- 🤔 The Rope bat is considered a contact-hitting bat similar to The Meta, requiring more effort to power through the ball compared to the easier-feeling Icon 390.
- 🏌️♂️ For contact hitters, other options like the Atlas and the Vandal are recommended over the Rope, as they offer better performance at a lower price point.
- 💲 The Rope bat's high price of $500 is questioned for its value, especially when compared to the Icon 390 and other more affordable options.
Q & A
What is the new $500 two-piece composite bat from Easton called?
-The new $500 two-piece composite bat from Easton is called the 'Rope'.
What was the previous technology used in Easton's bats that was not well-received?
-The previous technology used in Easton's bats that was not well-received was from the ADV series.
How does the Rope bat compare to the Icon in terms of performance?
-The Rope bat has a softer and more forgiving sweet spot compared to the Icon, but the Icon has a better overall performance and is considered the only composite BB core worth considering.
What is the claim made by Easton about the Rope bat that was found to be untrue during testing?
-Easton claimed that the Rope bat does not require a break-in period, which was found to be untrue as it felt better after about 200 swings.
What is the price difference between the Easton Rope and the Easton Hype Composite bat?
-The Easton Rope is priced at $500, whereas the Easton Hype Composite bat costs around $150.
How does the feel of the Rope bat change after being used for a while?
-After being used for a while, the Rope bat starts to feel a lot better, with a less 'pingy' sound and improved performance.
What type of hitter is the Rope bat suited for?
-The Rope bat is more suited for a contact hitter, similar to The Meta and the Rawlings Icon 390.
What are some alternative bats mentioned in the script that are considered better options?
-The Rawlings Icon 390, the Combat, the Atlas, and the Vandal are mentioned as better alternatives.
What is the main criticism about the Rope bat's price point?
-The main criticism is that the Rope bat, being a two-piece composite BB core, does not justify its $500 price point when there are cheaper options with similar performance.
What is the conclusion about the Rope bat's value for money?
-The conclusion is that the Rope bat does not offer enough advantages over cheaper alternatives like the Hype Composite to justify its higher price.
Outlines
🏑 Baseball Bat Comparison: Easton's Rope vs Hype Comp vs Rawlings Icon 390
This paragraph discusses a comparison of three baseball bats: the new $500 two-piece composite BB Corp Rope from Easton, the 2023 Easton Hype Composite, and the Rawlings Icon 390. The Rope is claimed to feature new technology from the Hype series, but initial impressions suggest it may not be as popular. The Hype Composite is priced at $150 and is compared to see if the $500 Rope offers any significant advantages. The Rawlings Icon 390 is a widely used composite bat in college baseball and is known for its performance. The paragraph details the testing process, including hitting performance, exit velocity, and feel off the barrel. The Rope is noted to have a softer sweet spot but similar weighting to the Hype Comp. The Icon 390 is praised for its hitting performance and ease of use, especially for contact hitters.
🚀 Evaluating the Value of Composite Bats: Rawlings Icon 390 vs Easton Rope
In this paragraph, the focus is on evaluating the value of composite baseball bats, specifically the Rawlings Icon 390 and the Easton Rope. The Icon 390 is highlighted as a top choice for its superior hitting performance and is recommended for players seeking a composite bat. The paragraph also discusses the performance of the Easton Rope, noting that despite its higher price, it does not offer significant advantages over the Icon 390 or other bats like the Hype Comp. The discussion includes detailed comparisons of exit velocities, hitting feel, and the effectiveness of each bat for contact hitting. The conclusion suggests that for the price, the Rope does not offer enough to justify its cost over more affordable options like the Icon 390.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Baseball Bats
💡Easton
💡Two-Piece Composite Bats
💡Performance
💡Value
💡Sweet Spot
💡Barrel
💡Breaking In
💡Weighting
💡Contact Hitter
💡Exit Velocity
Highlights
Introduction of the new $500 two-piece composite BB Corp bat from Easton called 'Rope'.
High demand and expectations for the Rope bat due to its alleged new technology from the previous year's ADV.
Comparison of the Rope bat to the Icon, which is highly ranked and has a strong reputation in the market.
Discussion on Easton's claim that the Rope bat does not require a break-in period, which is initially found to be untrue.
Improvement in the feel and performance of the Rope bat after approximately 200 swings.
Comparison of the sound and feel of the Rope bat to the Hype composite, noting similarities and differences.
Blind test conducted to discern differences in sound between the Rope and Hype bats.
Evaluation of the contact hitting capabilities of the Rope bat, drawing parallels to The Meta.
Price critique of the Rope bat, questioning its value at $500 compared to other more affordable options.
Rawlings Icon 390 bat tested for comparison, showing impressive exit velocities and performance.
Highlight of the Icon bat's superior feel and exit velocities when compared to the Rope bat.
Recommendation that the Icon is the only composite BB core bat to consider, dismissing the Rope's value at its current price point.
Discussion on the performance of the Atlas bat for contact hitters, positioning it as a better alternative to the Rope.
Concluding thoughts on the Rope bat's performance, questioning the need for a two-piece composite bat at a higher price point.