BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) bats are a relatively new type of baseball bat that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The bats are designed to reduce the distance a batted ball travels when hit, with the goal of making the game safer and more competitive. But does BBCOR actually reduce the distance a ball travels when hit, or does it simply make it harder to hit the ball far?
What is BBCOR?
BBCOR is a certification mark that is used to indicate that a baseball bat has been approved for use in high school and college play. The certification is designed to reduce the trampoline effect that occurs when a ball is struck by an aluminum bat, which can cause the ball to travel farther than it would with a wooden bat. The BBCOR certification requires that the bat have a certain amount of “give” in the barrel, which reduces the amount of energy transferred from the bat to the ball when it is hit.
Benefits of BBCOR
The main benefit of BBCOR bats is that they reduce the amount of distance a batted ball can travel. This is beneficial in two ways: first, it helps to reduce the risk of injury to players, as balls that travel further can cause more significant injuries when they hit someone. Second, it helps to ensure that the game is played fairly, as it reduces the advantage that some players may have over others due to their ability to hit the ball further.
BBCOR bats also help to reduce the number of home runs that are hit. This is beneficial for a variety of reasons, as it helps to make the game more competitive and strategic, rather than simply a contest of who can hit the ball the farthest.
Does BBCOR Actually Reduce Distance?
The short answer is yes, BBCOR does reduce the distance a ball travels when hit. Studies have shown that BBCOR bats reduce the distance a ball travels by roughly 10-12%, depending on the type of bat used. This means that a ball hit with a BBCOR bat will travel 10-12% less than it would with a non-BBCOR bat.
However, it is important to note that BBCOR bats do not completely eliminate the distance advantage that some players may have. Instead, they just reduce it. This means that some players may still be able to hit the ball further than others, although the difference will be much smaller than it would be without BBCOR.
Drawbacks of BBCOR
The main drawback of BBCOR bats is that they can reduce the power and performance of some players. This is because BBCOR bats are designed to reduce the trampoline effect that occurs when a ball is hit, which can reduce the amount of power that a player is able to generate when hitting the ball. This can be especially problematic for players who rely on their power to hit the ball far, as the reduced power can make it more difficult for them to hit the ball as far as they are used to.
Another issue with BBCOR bats is that they can be more expensive than non-BBCOR bats. This can be a problem for players who are on a budget, as the increased cost of a BBCOR bat may make it difficult for them to purchase one.
Conclusion
BBCOR bats are designed to reduce the distance a ball travels when hit, with the goal of making the game safer and more competitive. Studies have shown that BBCOR bats do reduce the distance a ball travels by roughly 10-12%, depending on the type of bat used. However, the bats can also reduce the power and performance of some players, and they can be more expensive than non-BBCOR bats.