2016 DeMarini CF8 Review

Comparable Bats

By way of comparison to other brands, it’s hard to say the CF8 has more than one real rival in the market. Obviously, Easton’s MAKO would be the biggest by way of market share and a big barrel on a light swinging two-piece composite. The 916 from Slugger would be a distant third in the race of market share but, by way of design, it may be the most comparable. Adidas’ new RBZ EQT X3, although only in BBCOR, has a similar light swinging two-piece design yet it lacks any real pedigree and wide-field testing. None of these bats (or other two-piece composite bats), save arguably the MAKO, have nearly the prowess, product breadth, and potential of success as DeMarini’s CF8.

Previous Models

Compared to the 2015 DeMarini CF7, the 2016 DeMarini CF8 comes with some noteworthy upgrades:

• A noticeably longer barrel and wider barrel on the Youth and Senior League Versions.
• The BBCOR and Drop 5 have a thinner and tackier grip and a shorter knob flare (from knob to handle).
• The Drop 8, 10s, and 11s have a slightly thicker and cushier grip. They also do not have a knob flare.
• There is a new end cap design on each bat.
• Each iteration (like the 2016 DeMarini Voodoo Raw) of the bat comes in its own color scheme customized to the age group of the bat. If you don’t like it, you can always make your own custom DeMarini CF8!
• All CF8s this year have an upgraded, stiffer handle called the D-Fusion 2.0.

Construction

In general, the first thing noted was the balance of the bat. Its barrel size in the Senior League versions is bigger than the 2015 CF7. So big, in fact, it gives the visual impression that it should weigh more than it feels like it does. Especially with the drop 10 Senior Barrel, the balance point is so close to the hands it nearly creates an optical illusion with how easily it swings. Subsequently, for most younger players, this light swinging and the big barreled bat is a perfect fit. Bat speed and bat control are significant aspects to getting the ball in play and, ultimately, on base. The CF8 succeeds in enhancing both.

The bat also has fantastic pop—something we’ve come to expect from the CF series of bats DeMarini has made so very famous. Put more flatly, as one Dad in the stands pointed out while the below 11 year old jacked a 250 foot shot into a River, “that is the Electric Avenue if I’ve ever seen it.” Where people come up with this stuff I have no idea.