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August 31, 2020 | by Bat Digest Review Team | @BatDigest
We hit the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect in both BBCOR and USSSA drop 10. In short, we love it. We think it’s a fantastic bat with a reasonable end load in both lines. The connection is less stiff when compared to other hybrid bats, but we preferred that. Our hitters especially liked the USSSA Drop 10 and believe it will be one of the best in that space for 2020.
Our hitters liked the less stiff connection on the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect. Most two-piece hybrid bats with an end load try and make the connection as rigid as possible. The hitters who want a smoother feel, as you’d find in a two-piece composite, really liked the CAT 9 Connects feel. As… Jump to the full review.
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Our hitters liked the less stiff connection on the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect. Most two-piece hybrid bats with an end load try and make the connection as rigid as possible. The hitters who want a smoother feel, as you’d find in a two-piece composite, really liked the CAT 9 Connects feel. As well, we went head to head on several other bats, and the hitters liked their exit speeds.
In BBCOR, the CAT 9 Connect is an end-loaded bat. Those looking for a lot of weight will like it. Those who are not, won’t. In USSSA, the CAT 9 Connect swings just a bit heavier than the CAT 9–but both should be considered between balanced, or middle of the road swing weight bats.
Those who like a hybrid bat (that is, an aluminum barrel and composite handle) as well as an end load should put the CAT 9 Connect on their shortlist. It sets itself apart with a less stiff connection—when compared to bats like the Fuze Hybrid, The Goods, or Victus Nox, you can expect more give in the handle. In terms of performance, the hybrid 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect hits the ball as hard as any of them.
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The USSSA CAT 9 Connect is a fan favorite. Our hitters loved the smooth, CF-like feel on hits and mishits. The big barrel sounded loud and was ready to go out of the wrapper. Throw in a durable bat and this guy will give the USSSA CF a run for its money in 2021.
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The 2019 Marucci CAT 8 Connect was also an end-loaded two-piece hybrid bat built with the big hitter in mind. For 2021, a drop 10 and 8 to complement the Drop 5 Connect from 2019 are great additions.
The BBCOR version has an upgraded barrel that uses horizontal grooves to help lower the swing weight, improve durability, and expand the sweet spot. In practice, it all means about the same as the CAT 8. But that isn’t a bad thing. And it is good to see Marucci not get complacent and continue to make the bat better–even if it is only marginally.
After a month of use with the BBCOR and USSSA versions of the CAT 8 we put together this 2019 CAT 8 Review. (Looking for the 2020 USA Marucci CAT review?)
Our feedback on the 2017 Marucci CAT 7 connect is derived from 3 hours of use among several different hitters
The CAT 9 Connect has serious competition in The Goods and the NOX. As well, Easton makes a Hybrid Fuze, and Slugger makes the Select PWR. All compete well with each other and have very similar exit speeds.
See the The Goods Review On the shortlist of most anticipated bats for 2021 stand The Goods. This bat had considerable success despite COVID-19 in 2020. It reached a hype level few have achieved. Although the bat was good to a great performer, it still isn’t for everyone. In BBCOR, save the paint job, it is the same bat as the 2020 version (plus an updated end cap). DeMarini adds a USSSA drop 5 and 10 to the mix as well. The BBCOR is $50 more ($399), the USSSA is $20 ($279).
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See the Nox Review The 2021 Victus Nox is a hybrid BBCOR Bat. It complements the Victus Vandal—which is a single-piece aluminum bat built with a light swing. Of all the data we gathered on the NOX, we found the swing weight lighter than we expected. For the 33-inch we were sent, the swing weight was 9150, which is about 50 points under the average 33-inch BBCOR. Bats like The Goods swing in the 9300 to 9400 range. The Nox should be considered an average or balanced swinging hybrid
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See the Fuze 360 Review 2020 Easton Fuze Review: We like the Easton Fuze as an entry level single piece aluminum USA bat and a new Hybrid BBCOR version (there is also a DSG exclusive hybrid USA version we review here). In the USA space the Fuze still trails the Solo drop 11, we think. But it isn’t far off—and the unique Power Boost knob might be just enough to convince several to try it out. The Fuze (like the Solo, Velo and Vandal) uses an extended composite end cap to help drive down the swing weight and increase the barrel size. Our smaller hitters who need bat speed liked it the most.
Price CheckThe 2021 Marucci CAT 9 uses variable wall thickness to extend the length of the usable barrel and lower the swing weight. As well, in the BBCOR version, there are grooves along the length of the barrel that bring down the swing weight.
Unlike the CAT 9, the CAT 9 Connect dampens sting by removing vibrations in the connection piece. The CAT does it in the knob.
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What is the swing weight of the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect BBCOR 32in?
We haven’t measured the 32 just yet. You can generally expect the next inch down to be 10% lighter than the one above it. So, at 9400 MOI for the 33, we’d guess about 8600 for the 32.