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Based on our years of data, we rate the best drop 5 bats in USSSA and USA here for 2022 and earlier.
We have hit with every drop 5 baseball bat on the market since 2014 through 2022. In the USSSA bat space, we recommend the 2022 DeMarini CF Zen, although models back to 2017 will do. The price increases as the older versions of the CF become more rare. If all the prices were the same, we love the 2017. However, it isn’t worth the premium the market is asking for that bat. Be happy with a 2020/21/22. (Note: The 2017 version of the CF is not legal in all leagues. Check our illegal bat list here).
Our favorite USA Bat is DeMarini’s The Goods One. This is a single-piece alloy bat with a reasonable price point and enough weight in the barrel to not ring the hands too bad on mishits. But if you can barrel one up, watch out.
After hitting with the vast majority of 2022 Drop 5 bats over several days with several different hitters we updated this list.
Also, 13 Year Old players in USSSA tournaments are required to swing nothing lighter than a drop 8 bat in 2020. That should make the amount of drop 8 and 5 bats increase. Here is the rule change verbatim: “Effective January 1st 2020, all 13U events and all teams in 13u events must use a maximum drop 8 (-8) bat with the official USSSA1.15 BPF Mark permanently stamped. All 14u events and all teams in the 14u event must use a maximum drop 5 (-5) bat with the officialUSSSA 1.15 BPF Mark Permanently stamped. “
Certification: USA
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 5
Swing Weight: Heavy
Serial Number: WTDXUO522
Original Price: $200
Release Month: October 2021
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 30, 31, 32
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 5
Swing Weight: Mid+
Serial Number: WTLUBS718B5
Original Price: $300
Release Month: October 2017
If you want to go old school, the Slugger’s drop 5 USA Louisville Slugger Select 718 is a legit bat. It swings really heavy, but if you can wield it then you can swing it. Sometimes you can find it on eBay for a steal and if that is the case don’t hesitate. Great bat, big barrel, heavy swing and rocket maker.
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 5
Swing Weight: Mid+
Serial Number: WTDXCB522
Original Price: $350
Release Month: October 2021
Why We Love the 2022 The Goods One Piece
Certification: USA
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33
Drop: 5
Serial Number: WTDXUO522
Release Month: October 2021
Why We Love the 2018 Select 718
If you want to go old school, the Slugger’s drop 5 USA Louisville Slugger Select 718 is a legit bat. It swings really heavy, but if you can wield it then you can swing it. Sometimes you can find it on eBay for a steal and if that is the case don’t hesitate. Great bat, big barrel, heavy swing and rocket maker.
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32
Drop: 5
Serial Number: WTLUBS718B5
Release Month: October 2017
Why We Love the 2022 Zen
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33
Drop: 5
Serial Number: WTDXCB522
Release Month: October 2021
There are many end-loaded drop 5 bats that swing with a greater MOI (swing weight) than many BBCOR bats. Meaning, an endloaded drop 5 bat with a BPF 1.15 stamp can be a bigger hitter than any number BBCOR bat. As such, those who hit with an endloaded drop 5 are bomb-making hitters that pack a serious punch.
The balanced drop 5 is a conundrum. Indeed, one chooses a drop 5 to get more power because your swing speed has maxed out and the greater weight gives you more power. But, one would use a balanced bat to help increase bat speed and make better contact with the ball. So, a balanced drop 5 creates some logical inconsistencies.
We conclude that those looking for a drop 5 in a balanced model can either
An aluminum barreled drop 5 would fit a player who wants hot out of the wrapper performance and more feel through contact. As such, there are a decent number of drop 5 baseball bats that have an aluminum barrel. Most of these bats are end loaded. Some, however, are single-piece aluminum bats. Others are hybrids that have a composite handle and an aluminum barrel.
Most drop 5 bats only come in nothing shorter than a 30-inch. This makes sense as those who look for a drop 5 are usually bigger and looking to wield a heavier bat.
In terms of choosing the right sized drop 5 bat the most useful data set we have is that on our Bat Size Chart.
We found there are virtually no reports of folks using drop 5 bats before age 11. At age 11 the most common is a 31/26 and only 5% of hitter use that. At 12 hitters use a 31/26 more times than they use a 32/27 and roughly 15% of 12 year olds use a drop 5. 13 year old non BBCOR players third most popular bat is a 32/27.
At the time of this writing we have hit with the vast majority of 2020 drop 5 bats. We don’t think much will change between now and when the season starts. But, if we do happen to run across a new drop 5 bat we will update the results here if it can beat anything out. Otherwise, consider the above the data the most up to date information we have on drop 5 bats.
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