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CAT9 vs CATX, covering the main differences
Changes applied to all 3 types of the CATX:
The Barrel
The barrel tends to be one of the most important focuses in baseball. The CATX barrel has gone through some major changes since last year's model from its shape down to the weight balancing. The CATX BBCOR boasts a completely re-shaped barrel profile that offers a larger sweet spot and more forgiving barrel. This barrel redesign also provides a slightly better balance, on average a half inch lower balance point. For those that aren’t familiar, the balance point of a bat (ONLY applied to BBCOR) is where the bat maintains a balanced weight from handle to endcap. If you took any bat and held it horizontally on one finger, where the bat maintains a balance relative to your finger is its balancing point.
For the CATX Senior League bats (USSSA), the Barrel has a larger overall diameter bringing the size closer to the maximum allowable limit for USSSA League play. On average, the increased size is an added 2.5mm in diameter larger, in comparison to the CAT9, allowing for a more flexible barrel which in turn generates higher overall performance.
The Handle and knob
Both the BBCOR and the Senior League (USSSA) CATX feature Marucci’s all new Liquid-Gel Dampening Knob. This new knob is designed with a precise amount of liquid-gel situated into the knob of the bat which is meant to absorb vibrations as well as sting faster and more efficiently than all previous AV2 knobs used on previous models. Simply put, a redesigned knob to further reduce sting and vibrations faster and more efficiently.
The CATX also features a new, custom-sized handle taper for every weight drop (Excluding JBB). This newly designed handle taper provides a more comfortable, ergonomic fit allowing better overall bat control.
Differences between the 3 lineups
Let's talk Alloy (USSSA and BBCOR)
Below is a list of changes and additions from CAT9 alloy to the new CATX Alloy.
- Back to original color way White/Red (NCAA Compliant)
- Same M logo as the Wood Bat models
- More Balanced, the balance point has shifted almost an inch closer to the hands.
- Will come in sizes:
- 10 JBB (25-28)
- 10,-8 and -5
- Increased Barrel diameter, as close to 2 3/4' as possible on the usssa sizes
- New AntiVibration Knob (contains 8 grams of liquid gel)
- Less negative feedback on mis-hits for the little guys.
- Slightly thinner handle.
- New molded Taper on handle on all sizes (more pressure on the grip and makes the bat "feel" lighter)
- Will add a 29/26 and a 32.5/29.5 to the BBCOR sizes
- Will add a 33/28 -5
Time to Connect - 2 Piece Hybrid (USSSA and BBCOR)
Below is a list of changes and additions from CAT9 connect to the new CATX connect.
- Back to original color way White/Red (NCAA Compliant)
- Same M logo as the Wood Bat models
- More Balanced, balance point has shifted between 1/4" to 1/2" closer to the hands depending on size
- Will come in sizes:
- -10 JBB (25-28)
- -10, -8 and -5
- New molded Taper on handle on all sizes (more pressure on the grip and makes the bat "feel" lighter)
- Same OLS (outer locking system) Connection, Stiffest connection on the market but very good at dampening vibration before it gets to the hands.
- New S40 stiffer handle (approx 8-10% stiffer than previous handle designs)
- Will add a 29/26 and a 32.5/29.5 to the BBCOR sizes
- Will add a 33/28 -5
All about the Composite - 2 Piece Composite (USSSA and BBCOR)
Below is a list of changes and additions from CAT9 Composite to the new CATX Composite.
- Grey/Red Colorway, Same M logo as the Wood Bat models
- More Balanced, moved the connection a tad closer to the hands
- Will come in sizes:
- 10 JBB (25-28)
- 10,-8 and -5
- New molded Taper on handle on all sizes (more pressure on the grip and makes the bat "feel" lighter)
- Same OLS (outer locking system) -Connection, Stiffest connection on the market but very good at dampening vibration before it gets to the hands.
- New S40 stiffer handle (approx 8-10% stiffer than previous handle designs)
- Will add a 29/26 and a 32.5/29.5 to the BBCOR sizes
- Will add a 33/28 -5
With all the hype buzzing around the new CATX as well as the anticipation for how it will perform, what are your thoughts? Us for one are excited to carry these top of the line baseball bats and have high anticipation for them to be some of the best performing bats on this year's market. Be sure to get yours here at Headbanger sports as we will be carrying all sizes and all 3 of the lineups!
