2018 Rawlings Quatro Review

We spent considerable time with the 2018 Rawlings Quatro in both real game work as well as cage time.

Aside from the slight changes in color, the only difference in the 2018 Quatro when compared to the 2017 version is the swing weight. And although the swing weight change is not dramatic (they did not, for example, go all the way from an end load to a balanced) it is enough of a lighter swing weight in 2018 to make a noticeable difference. In other words, if you didn't like the feel of the 2017 version then the 2018 option might still be your ticket. The swing weight change was created by a redevelopment of the end cap and the extended inner sleeve. As more bulk and weight was removed from those elements swing weight dropped sufficiently. This principle is simple enough: more weight taken from the end of a bat lowers the amount of strength to spin it around by the knob. This insight relies on the the basic principles of Mass Moment of Inertia or MOI.

The 2018 Rawlings Quatro is made of four distinct pieces. It is, technically, a four piece bat and Rawlings likes to point this out. The name of the bat, Quatro, signifies the four pieces.

1. The Handle is made of a composite structure.
2. The barrel is also composite.
3. There is a collar that sits around the connection between the handle and the barrel. This helps dampens sting to the hands during mishits on the barrel.
4. Inside the end portion of the barrel sits an extended end cap. That endcap is the most unique feature of the Quatro.

The additional inner barrel at the end of the Quatro serves the purpose of allowing the outer barrel of the Quatro the flexibility to perform well at slow pitch speeds. As well, the outer barrels pliability gives the bat a shortened work in period. Of course the idea of an inner barrel advantage are all in theory. No one has the data to prove that an inner barrel around the end portion of a barrel in a baseball bat is superior to ones without an inner barrel. Many fastpitch softball bats use an inner ring and a many of them swear by the idea. But the Rawlings Quatro stands alone, even within their own brand, as the only baseball bat with a composite inner barrel on the outer half of the barrel.