2020 Louisivlle Slugger RXT Fastpitch Bat Review

Comparable Bats

In terms of two piece composite bats with a balanced swing weight the 2020 fastpitch list is endless. DeMarini’s CF, Rawlings Quatro Pro, Mizuno’s PWR Carbon and Slugger’s LXT and XENO are all legitimate comparisons.

Bats like the Easton Ghost Double Barrel swing a lot heavier than the RXT but still have the two piece composite design.

If we were forced to choose a comparable bat we’d tend towards DeMarini’s CF. The RXT, like the CF, uses a ring free design on a balanced swing weight. But, do note, the CF connection piece will feel much more forgiving than the RXT.

Previous Models

There was no 2019 RXT. There was, however, a short lived PXT. That 2019 PXT was not very well received. The barrel size and stiffer feel were good but the heavy swing weight was an issue for most.

Although some might consider the PXT as the previous version of the RXT we don’t. Granted, it was a ring free barrel with an otherwise similar name. But, in terms of how it feels in the cage and initial player feedback we think it more reasonable to think of the RXT as a break from the LXT with a stiffer connection than the next generation of the PXT.

Construction

Like all fastpitch companies, DeMarini uses some marketing jargon to describe the construction of their bat. We take you through each one of those bullet points you can find on the ‘specs’ of most product pages for the 2020 RXT. The marketing terms are in bold below.

• HVR-1 Technology in the barrel construction of the RXT is in reference to the inner workings of the barrel. Like the LXT, the 2020 RXT has a foam insert inside. It does not travel the length of the barrel like the LXTs but, instead, sits towards the connection piece. This hovering piece (HVR = hover) gives the bat a balanced feel while maintaining a barrel that performs along its length.
• Springload Connection System is the new connective process found inside the RXT. It is a change from the VCX connection system you’ll find in the LXT. The SCS system is built for a little more stiffness like the IST connection you’ll find in the Xeno. Our hitters found the RXT to be in between the stiffness of the Xeno and the LXT.
• Balanced Swing Weight is not a Slugger marketing term, per say. But, it is where the RXT sits. The average swing weight of all the 2020 performance fastpitch bats we tested was 5800. The RXT’s swing weight (aka MOI) was 5650. So, basically, within 2% of the middle of the road swing weight.
• COPA Performance End Cap is the end cap used for the RXT. There does not appear to be anything particular special in the end cap over other end caps other than the fact it’s built specifically for the RXT’s barrel and HVR-1 design. End caps matter a lot when it comes to barrel compression allowance and swing weight. We trust Slugger got the right on on there and they are welcome to call it whatever they want.
• LS Pro Comfort Grip is Slugger’s take on premium grip. You may have noticed, unlike in years past, that Slugger is not using Lizard Skin on their grips for 2020. Rawlings appears to have won that bidding war. In any event, Slugger’s grips are good and our players liked them.