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By Bat Digest
Updated November 17, 2022
The 2015 Air Elite BBCOR bat is a hybrid (composite handle, aluminum barrel) bat with a balanced swing weight. This is the second year that RIP-IT has produced a two-piece bat and it is a slight upgrade to the very successful and well-received 2014 Air Elite. The bat swings similarly to Sluggers 715/Raid models--which is balanced. It is not as light as some composite and handle-loaded bats like the CF7 or S1 but not nearly as heavy as the XL1 or Voodoo FT. Of interest, it has, at least by our measurements, a heavier swing weight than its full aluminum little brother (the 2015 Air).
We would recommend this bat to hitters who: Prefer a balanced swing; Prefer hybrid bats; are unsure of what to do and are willing to take advantage of the no risk return policy; Are hitters in the 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 holes; are not on a budget. We would NOT recommend this bat to hitters who: Prefer a composite barrel; Prefer a very light swing or an endloaded swing; are in the 4 or 5 holes; are on a budget.
The 2014 had a very gradual neck. Our experience was this gave a lot of hitters more success on contact made outside the sweet spot. Some report the ball exit speed on this bat is more consistent throughout the barrel than other oversized barrels that dribble to the pitcher outside the sweet spot. We don't have the technicalities to measure that stuff for the 2015 models (maybe one day!) but as far as we could guess from our time in the cage there is probably some truth to that.
I'm not quite sure I'll ever become accustomed to $400 baseball bats. But it seems like new top-shelf pricing now starts there. I'd suggest, considering its likeness to the 2014 version, maybe taking a stab at a new 2014 version (with valid receipts to still take advantage of the warranty and love it or return it policy) while the supplies last. Otherwise, the best place we've been able to pick up this bat new (and ones like it) is here. And hey, if you don't like it, just send it back and spend your $400 elsewhere.