Bat Digest
AI Bat Picker | Blog | YouTube | Facebook

See All Results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
fastpitch-bat-review
best-softball-bat
best-baseball-bat
baseball-bat-review

Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.


Home > All Reviews

2017 Mizuno Generations Review | New End Caps

By Bat Digest

Updated November 17, 2022

2017 Mizuno Generations Review | New End Caps Featured Image
On the whole, we find the 2017 Generations a worthy upgrade from the 2016. Its lighter swing and more solid sound should play well with the bat's target player. These benefits are all made possible by a newly weighted and constructed end cap. We dive into those details below.
Price Check
2017 Generations Video

2017 Generations Models

Our 2017 Mizuno Generations bat review comes on the heels of 3 hours of cage work with the bat. We used several different types of hitters at many different levels of the sport. We took those hitters' direct feedback and combined it with our extensive knowledge base and experience with every major performance bat in the market over the last three and half years. Then, we reviewed our 2015 and 2016 Mizuno Generations write-ups. As well, we exchanged emails with Mizuno's team to clarify some of the 2017 Generations' upgrades. That data came together in the following 2017 Mizuno Generations review.

General Recommendations

Our experience has found that single-piece alloy bats with a light swing are most appropriate for young players who have yet to generate bat speed or see pitch speed, that can ring hands considerably. If that is not you, then it's likely you'll find more success with a different bat. As such, we'd hesitate on the 2017 Mizuno Generations if we were:

  • An advanced player that preferred the smoothness of two-piece bats
  • Looking for an oversized barrel with a large sweet spot
  • Not as concerned with budget
  • A stronger player who preferred more weight in the end cap
Like previous years' models, the 2017 Mizuno Generations is a single-piece alloy bat with a balanced swing. As such, there is a certain niche in the market where this bat fits nicely. The elite-level player won't find much happiness in this bat. But, we would recommend the bat to players who:
  • Are okay with a ring in the hands-on mishits or don't generate the bat speed to see real hand sting
  • Need or prefer a lighter swinging bat
  • Are comfortable with the smaller barrels found on single-piece alloy bats
  • Are you on a budget, looking for a decent value purchase
  • Want a bat better than a big box store alloy, but aren't ready for the financial commitment, or work in period, of a top-shelf composite bat.

Reviews By Model

Construction

The end cap may be the most overlooked element in bat purchasing. We'd guess many players and parents haven't paid much attention to the end of the barrel anywhere near the knob, grip, transition, and barrel size. But, it's worth knowing, that the end cap plays a significant role in successful hitting. With those thoughts in mind, the 2017 Generations is noticeably different than the 2016 version for one simple reason: the end cap is completely redesigned. The cap is lighter and less dense which gives the bat a lighter swing weight (MOI) and a darker sound when hit. Mizuno will claim it also produces better results towards the end cap but we have no way to confirm that. We do accept the theory. Either way, a new end cap attributes to a more serious improvement over the 2016 version. With the exception of the end cap, which we discuss below, the 2017 Generations is largely the same when compared to the 2016 Generations. It is still a one piece alloy bat with a tapered inner barrel wall to expand the sweet spot. As well, the handle uses a unique helix type design to help dampen stings on mishits. Compared to other single piece alloy bats, the barrel size is above average. However, single piece alloy barrel size will never compete with the oversized barrels of two peice hybrid and composite bats.

2017
Mizuno
Generations
1