2016 RIP-IT Element One Review

The BBCOR One prices out at $249 retail, which is competitive if not high for a single-piece aluminum bat. Most, for this type of technology, price in the $199 range although there are a few in the $249 world too. In terms of performance, we'd suggest the RIP-IT Element One is designed perfectly for those looking for a no-frills bat that can hit the ball well and who believe the trick of good hitting has way more to do with the player than it does the bat.

RIP-IT bats have a serious, committed following. Look no further than their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. However, rather surprising to some, many have never heard of them. RIP-IT dominates in certain parts of the country and in others, we've learned, many only know them for their softball helmets. Despite the public's lack of awareness, for several years now, RIP-IT has pushed the forefront of baseball bat production design. Earlier this year they released the first bat to be pressurized with a gas. Just a few weeks ago they announced the production of the world's first Smart Bat. Last year the RIP-IT Air bats were well received and well-reviewed among players at all levels of baseball. They've also made a name for themselves in terms of making a bat that feels like a bat. They are not particularly interested in making a bat with a barrel larger than last year's version or a swing weight as light as an empty wrapping paper tube. They are committed, and so far the market has proved it needs something like this, to a bat that feels like a traditional bat---with good weight distribution and show-stopping power when hit correctly. Said differently, RIP-IT bats don't generally do a great job of covering up for poor hitting, but instead, they accentuate a good hitter's ability to make legit contact and transfer a remarkable amount of power to the baseball.

There are hoards of single-piece aluminum baseball bats on the market. For example, the vast majority of Walmart-based bats have that same design. In the performance space (with 400+ day warranties), however, there are not very many. The most similarly designed bat in the 2016 season would be, arguably, Louisville Slugger's 516 Omaha. Another single piece worth considering is DeMarini's Insane. From a pure single-piece aluminum standpoint, in the Senior League space, you'll find a lighter swing weight with the One. The 515, on the other hand, will give you a bit more barrel. We'd only find a few instances where the 515 would be the better choice when compared to the Senior League One. In BBCOR, a single-piece alloy with an end-loaded swing weight is a bit rare. The 515 Omaha BBCOR attempts a balanced swing, so isn't a good comparison. DeMarini's Insane BBCOR also lacks the swing weight. You can find a single-piece aluminum end load in the 2016 Easton Z-Core XL. Both bats resemble an aluminum log.