Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
By Bat Digest
Updated July 6, 2023
Our hitters like the loud sound, great feel for a single piece, and what feels like a long sweet spot on the 2021 Marucci CAT 9. The bat looks great and doesn't feel much different (if at all) when compared to the 2020 CAT 8. That isn't a bad thing, but it does feel a bit like the same old CAT with a new look and a differently named alloy.
The 2021 CAT 9 in USSSA is a balanced to light swinging big barrel single-piece aluminum bat. Performance-wise, it does well in the space and performs as well as the DeMarini CF, which has dominated the area for years. In BBCOR, the bat swings heavier than most give it credit. We consider the bat with a slight end-load but a colossal barrel, great sound, and top-notch performance.
As we stated above, the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 comes with an upgraded allow when compared to the CAT 8. They changed some things to make it more durable and a bit thinner. Marucci still uses multivariable wall thickness to extend the length of the sweet spot and bring down swing weight. As well, in the BBCOR bats, they added a groove along the length of the barrel to bring down the swing weight even more.
Marucci has used the same general principles in their CAT line of bats ever since the now illegal Cat 5. That is, they: