Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
By Bat Digest | Last Updated June 15, 2022
We have seen, hit, and discussed with those who have hit with the 2015 Easton FS1 fastpitch bat at least 500 times. As well, we have read several reviews on the 2015 FS1 and exchanged emails with the manufacturer and vendors to discuss their take on the bat. All those data points have gone into our 2015 Easton FS1 Fastpitch Review.
The bat most like the 2015 Easton FS1 is the 2014 Easton FS1. Aside from the color up, not much has changed between the two, in part, we’d guess, due to the focus Easton is now putting on the MAKO lines of fastpitch bats. This Easton FS1 for 2015 will be the last in the FS1 series which started in 2012.
Outside the Easton brand, similar two piece composite bats in the light swinging big barrel space are the CF series from DeMarini and the XENO and LXT lines from Louisville Slugger.
The IMX composite can be found in the FS3 for 2016. This may be considered the new FS1 but it only comes in a drop 12, not the drop 11 and drop 10 like the 2015 FS1.
On the whole, the FS1 from 2015 is a highly recommendable fastpitch bat. Especially for those hitters who like a light swinging balanced stick the 2015 FS1 is right at home. In terms of player feedback and barrel size, the 2015 FS1 defines top shelf performance. As well, those who prefer their mishit vibrations absorbed into the bat’s connective piece, instead of their hands, will prefer the 2015 FS1. The barrel size is remarkable. We’d recommend the 2015 FS1 to serious players looking for lots of barrel and a light swing. Do note however, in marketing hype terms, the bat is ‘old’.
The 2015 model is the first year the FS1 from Easton comes in a drop 11. Previous years, it was released only in a drop 10 while the FX1 was in a drop 9. The drop 11 is obviously a lighter version than the drop 10, which will be the more common version.
Those looking for a heavier drop (like a 9 or 8) and want to stay in the realm of Easton will need to look for the MAKO Fastpitch. Outside of those parameters and you should check our best fastpitch bat article.
Like last year’s FS1, the 2015 FS1 is a two piece composite made from a design Easton refers to as IMX. They used this composite structure in all the Power Brigade lines in both baseball and softball leading up to this final iteration. The composite lends for an extra long barrel and a remarkably light swing.
The FS1 is also a light swinging bat. The balance point of the bat is as close to the hands as is allowable giving it a low MOI (or swing weight). The drop 11 is obviously lighter swinging per barrel size than the drop 10.
The bat continues to use the CXN connective piece which Easton has used for several years in both the baseball and fastpitch softball space.
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.