2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect Review - Bat Digest (2024)

FAQs

Does the CAT 9 Connect need to be broken in? ›

The Marucci CAT9 Connect -10 USSSA Baseball Bat: MSBCC910 will not need a break-in process, as the barrel is alloy.

Maurcci's CAT 9 Connect was specifically developed for middle of the order players who want to become gap and power hitters. This bat was purposely fabricated to have an end loaded feel and weight distribution and was tailored for hitters who want to transform their game in the direction of power and performance.

Since it comes in a -10, -8, and -5 it is easy to find just the right weight for every youth ballplayer. Durability - I easily have over 2,000 swings on this bat and it is holding up incredibly well. This is especially impressing since composite USSSA bats are not known for their durability.

After 300 hits, your bat will be prepped and ready for game use. Remember, composite bat lifespans are directly related to how many impacts it receives. We recommend that you save your bat for game use only, once broken-in.

Composite Bat Break-In Tips

To properly break in your composite bat, we recommend taking 150-200 swings playing soft toss or off a tee using real baseballs. Start off by swinging at about 50% of your typical swing. Slowly work your way up to full strength over the first 100 swings.

We do like bats like the CF and CAT 9 Composite in a drop 5 better. But, if a player wants an alloy barrel in a hybrid drop 5 USSSA, we think they can't beat the drop 5 Marucci CAT 9 Connect.

Crafted for ultimate power and an end-loaded feel, the two-piece CAT9 Connect combines a carbon composite handle with the strengthened, thermally treated AZR alloy barrel with our one-of-a-kind Outer Locking System to create the stiffest connection available.

What is the difference in performance between the Cat 8 and Cat 9? We hit both of the Marucci BBCOR bats side by side and we could tell the Cat 9 felt more refined for sure. The Cat 8 BBCOR, while excellent, had a little bit of felt vibration in the hands – not much, but we could tell it was there.

The CAT9 is the most advanced one-piece aluminum bat on the market. It is a precision balanced, one-piece alloy design with a medium M.O.I. For athletes who favor a mid-balanced metal bat, the CAT9 is the right choice. Both power-hitters and contact-hitters will enjoy the feel and performance of the CAT9.

All of this new technology is wrapped together in a two-piece, hybrid design that is painted in a sleek, black colorway!

What is the difference between a composite bat and a connect? ›

On a scale, the composite weighs a full ounce heavier (both are 30/22). Every single review I read says the connect is an end-loaded bat vs the "very" balanced composite, yet he swings the connect better and says it's easier to swing.

"If you're a player that's maybe starting in fall ball, hitting through the winter, going into spring ball and potentially any travel teams in the summer, you're probably going to get maybe one year out of your composite bat. It really varies by how many swings that you're getting in that bat,” says Brugnone.

Hitting composite bats at speeds faster than they are designed to withstand can cause premature cracking and damage the bat before reaching its full performance potential. 1. Hit 50 balls off a tee using about 50% power. Make sure to rotate the bat ¼” between each hit.

Composite bats do require a 6-step break-in period for optimal performance. If proper care of the bat isn't taken during the break-in period and over the life of the bat, it may result in premature breakage or lowered performance. Marucci's CAT Composite line includes -5, -8, -10 and Junior Big Barrel models.

Designed with a thermally treated AZR alloy for a more responsive and forgiving feel, the balanced one-piece CAT9 features a massive sweet spot that is ready to damage right out of the wrapper. No break in necessary.

The break-in process, when done correctly, will also help the overall durability of composite bats. Breaking in a new composite bat is a process that can take between 150 and 400 swings. You want to start with batting tee work using a standard baseball or softball. You don't want to go max-effort on these swings.

Composite bats are made with high performance materials and breaking in a bat is crucial to loosen the resin inside of the barrel to activate its main performance qualities.

Crafted for ultimate power and end-loaded feel, the two-piece CAT9 Connect -3 BBCOR certified bat combines a carbon composite handle with the strengthened, thermally treated AZR alloy barrel.