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By Bat Digest | Last Updated June 15, 2022
We’ve hit with the Rocketech 2.0 fastpitch from Anderson a dozen times. Several different hitters used the bat. We’ve also read the reviews of several hitters that use the Rocketech regularly. As well we’ve discussed the manufacturing process of the 2.0 Rocketech with the creators at Anderson Bat Company. Additionally, we’ve spent hours observing top performance fastpitch bats and can make what we think are fair comparisons to the Rocketech 2.0. These data points were compiled into the following 2016 Anderson Rocketech fastpitch bat review.
We would recommend the Rocketech 2.0 Andreson Fastpitch bat to hitters who fit any or all of the following. The hitter may:
In our long-winded ‘best fastpitch softball bat article,’ we claim the Anderson Rocketech 2.0 bat like the best bat on the market for cold-weather players. We stand by that claim 8 months later.
We’ve searched far and wide and can’t quite come up with any bat like the Rocketech 2.0. A single-piece aluminum stick with a considerable barrel and an endload is a bit like a unicorn in t
The Anderson Rocketech 2.0 fastpitch bat is unlike most other performance bats in the market. The bat is made as a single-piece aluminum stick, while most other top-shelf performance bats are two-piece composites. The single-piece aluminum is built with a heavy-hitting player in mind who often prefers an endload and power. The bat’s length in inches to weight in ounces is different by 9 (making the bat a “Drop 9″).
[su_note note_color=”#dfe5ea” radius=”4″]Notes on Single Piece Bats:
Theoretically, a single-piece aluminum bat transfers maximum energy to the ball. Unlike two-piece bats, which absorb energy through a flex in the connection. This max energy transfer, claimed by single-piece bats, comes at a cost: hand ring on mishits. Manufacturers attempt to compensate for hand rings on single-piece bats by adding weight.
In practice, the theory of single-piece bats is generally confirmed. Players who tend to prefer single-piece bats (either composite or aluminum) have monster swings and are comfortable with a bit of hand ring. Additionally, in baseball and softball, single-piece bats are used by players with higher slugging percentages.
Also, we should note that single-piece aluminum bats are preferred for cold weather. Composite bats, you may have learned the hard way, often crack in the chill. Manufacturers generally claim sub-60 degree weather as off-limits. Remember, it’s the bat’s temperature, not the air. Some have also learned this by taking a cold composite bat into a warm hitting facility to see the bat still crack.
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.