Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
By Bat Digest | Last Updated August 3, 2022
After 500 hits by 4 different fastpitch players, we think the 2022 Louisville Slugger LXT is a fantastic fastpitch bat. In fact, for 2022, we named it the overall best fastpitch bat 2022. We love its robust sizing, excellent semi-flexible feel, huge barrel, top-end exit speeds, and fantastic player feedback.
Our hitters loved the feel and sizing options of the 2022 Louisville Slugger LXT. As parents, we liked the durability and history of success—especially when compared to the Easton Ghost Advanced—which also hits the ball hard but has a lousy history of durability.
Since the 2022 LXT has drops from 8 through 11, it is a fit for anyone. Any player serious about fastpitch wants the best in the business, and a bat they can count on should be happy with the LXT. It is the most popular fastpitch bat on the market for a reason. And although not much has changed over the years for the LXT, that isn’t bad.
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
Every bat wants to be like the LXT. DeMarini’s CF, Mizuno’s PWR CRBN, and Marucci’s Echo Connect area are all trying to take away market share. The Easton Ghost Advanced has more of an end-load than the LXT (which is why some think it has better exit speeds). But, in the end, the top-end fastpitch market has all coalesced around the idea of a lighter swinging, big barrel fastpitch bat with a semi-flexible handle and a great feel. The 2021 LXT is the epitome of a good fastpitch bat.
Compared to the 2021 LXT, the 2021 has an updated composite, a new end cap, and a different grip. That said, the bat is the same function it has had for the last several years. Expect a light swing, big barrel, and fantastic feel with top-end performance. If you can find considerable savings by buying the 2021 version (instead of the 2022), then we’d be all for it. We like the 2022 plenty, but the 2021has met the 1.20 BPF standard for several years.
The 2021 Louisville Slugger LXT is a two-piece composite bat built with a big barrel, light swing, and several drop options. For 2020, they use a speed composite design that uses Slugger tech to make a big barrel and light swing. They also changed the end cap to help dial the swing weight with the barrel’s changes. They also don’t use a Lizard Skin grip for 2021, but Sluggers’ new Comfort Grip has a standard grip that feels fine.
The overall rating uses seven different weighted metrics to determine our overall score. Half of total rating comes from the player and our exit speed tests (Player Rating: 25%, Performance: 25%).The other categories are Relevance (20%), Demand (10%), Durability (10%), Resell Score (5%), and Tech Specs (5%).
*: When a bat is denoted by a star (*) it is a preliminary rating. Expect it to be updated as we learn more about the bat and gather more data.
(PlaRa) Player Rating: We measure player rating from user reviews. Those users include our own hitters that we test at the lab as well as reviews we find online.
(ExVe) Performance: Performance measures the exit speeds and distances we capture in our hitting lab with HitTrax using these bats.
(Relv) Relevance: We measure the number of sizes and the MOI of the bat. Bats with a wider range of options get a better score.
(Dmnd) Demand: Demand is measured by consumer sentiment and the buzz around the bat.
(Drb) Durability: A bat’s durability is measured by user reviews as well as feedback from manufacturers.
(ReSl) Resell Score: Based on the price the bats go for used. Higher prices mean greater user demand which means, generally, a better bat. A resell value closer to its original price means a higher score.
(Tech) Tech Specs: We rate the bat on its technological advancements from previous years and compared to the industry at large. This is our chance to reward companies who are trying to innovate.
MOI
MOI or Mass Moment of Inertia is a measurement of bat swing weight. This quantifies how difficult it is to swing a bat. The industry often refers to this as things like End Load or Balanced but those words have been overused to the point of meaninglessness. We measure the actual swing weights of each bat we test using the industry-standard pendulum period, balance point, and scale weight. You can read more about that here.
Price
The price is the original MSRP price of the bat.
Type
The types of bats are single-piece alloy (SPA), two-piece composite (TPC), single-piece composite (SPC), hybrid (Hyb.), and wood (Wood). Hybrid bats are made of composite handles and alloy barrles.
Date
The estimated date the bat began distribution.
Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest participate in affiliate marketing programs including but not limited to Amazon and eBay. We most likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site.
© 2023. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company.
