2024 DeMarini ZOA Review

Updated September 30, 2023

The 2024 DeMarini ZOA is first released in a USSSA drop 5, 8, and 10 and hopes to compete against bats like Marucci's CAT X Composite and Easton's Hype. DeMarini appears to have all but given up on the CF, the legend of USSSA, and that's a bit of a head-scratcher by us. All their new tech and emphasis on high-end is focused on the ZOA. The 2022 and 2023 Glitch versions of the bats were well received, but nothing like the CF of the late 2010s and were weak enough to be overtaken by bats like the 2023 Marucci Composite and, for 2023 at least so far, the 2023 Easton Hype.

Price Check

2024 ZOA Video

*Note: The current bat is still under review. Our ratings will change as more information is gathered and more players get it in their hands. Expect updates.

2024 ZOA Models

The 2024 ZOA is built for the serious USSSA player that wants a huge barrel, light swing and great feel on every hit. The bat can most certainly hit the ball hard and if you want some serious plate coverage and top end performance on all parts of the bat then the 2024 DeMarini ZOA should be on your short list.

General Recommendations

Generally, we think the ZOA is a good bat for the USSSA player in drop 10 and 8. Those who can swing a drop 5 will likely prefer a stiffer bat or a two piece composite like Easton's Hype Fire. That said, if you're willing to spend top dollar for a competitive baseball bat then the ZOA will make its way to a lot of tournaments in the bags of kids who think they have the best bat out there.

Reviews By Model

Previous Bats

The significant change from the 2023 Glitch version is the connection piece. Demarini claims the handle is stiffer yet maximizes comfort, bat speed, and "energy transfer on contact." To be sure, the idea that a stiffer bat somehow transfers more energy to the ball is marketing spin and total hogwash. Demarini still making that claim in 2023 is sincerely embarrassing. Bat and ball contact time is nearly instantaneous, and there is no energy transfer because bats are stiffer. In any case, the new connection piece will change the way the bat feels to the hitter, and they'll get more feedback, which can be a good thing.

Construction

The 2024 DeMarini ZOA is a multi-piece bat built with a high-end endcap, connection piece, and a continuous fiber composite barrel. Reading the bat, construction metrics on most retail sites are just filled with marketing jargon that means virtually nothing. The bat is a composite handle, a composite barrel combined with some tech, wrapped with a high-end grip and capped off with a thought-out end cap.