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By Bat Digest | Last Updated June 15, 2022
We spent over 3 hours in our cage comparing the 2017 Louisville Slugger Xeno PLUS Fastpitch softball bat (Ebay, Amazon) to other similar designs in the market. While the 2017 models of performance fastpitch bats are still rolling out we are confident the 2017 Xeno Plus Fastpitch sits among the best in this year’s class.
It was equally preferred among the best fastpitch bats we’ve seen since we began reviewing bats in 2013. We’d recommend the 2017 Xeno Plus to those who want top shelf performance at all pitch speeds, are not too concerned with budget, prefer an over-sized barrel (who doesn’t?) and want (or need) a light swinging (read: balanced) bat.
Slugger claims the 2017 Xeno, and its sister LXT Hyper, fast pitch bat are the #1 fastpitch bats in the market in terms of usage, player preference, collegiate uptake and performance. It’s not hard to make case that any of those are true. In fact, we submit the Xeno is at least tied for the #1 bat in the market in terms of usage, player preference, collegiate uptake and performance.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the 2017 Xeno Plus to any serious player looking for what could be the best stick in all of fast pitch softball. If they are looking for a large barrel, great performance right out of the wrapper, considerable sting dampening (and aren’t too concerned about budget as this is a top shelf bat) then we are sure they could find happiness in aÂwell fitted and right sized 2017 Xeno Plus no matter where they find themselves in the line up.
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The most obvious comparable bat to the 2017 Xeno Plus is its predecessor in the 2016. Those comparisons and differences are discussed above. Outside of the Louisville Slugger brand the CF9 set of fastpitch bats from DeMarini get similar marks in terms of performance, price and expectations. Worth’s 2 Legit is a worthy double-walled two-piece stick with many comparable specs.
The 2017 XENO (pronounced, by the way, Zee-No) has a stiffer transition point than the 2016 version. In theory, a stiffer transition will give hitters better feel through contact (read: more hand sting on mishits) as well as more power when the ball is squared up nicely. We buy the more hand sting on a stiffer bat, but we aren’t quite convinced a stiffer feel actually delivers more power—especially considering most hitters don’t generate the type of bat speed required for maximum performance anyways. Regardless, the 2017 Xeno does indeed have a stiffer transition. The only other differences from 2016 to 2017 is the color up.
If you want to see how the 2016 differed from the 2015 (and there were several changes) see our 2016 XENO Plus Fast-pitch review.
The 2017 Xeno Plus, like the Xeno bats before it, is a performance two-piece composite fast pitch softball bat with a balance point built towards the hands for a lighter feeling swing. The bat is developed with an advanced transition between barrel and handle that keeps a smooth feel on contact yet a stiff enough feel for solid hitting at all levels of pitch speed.
The Xeno’s extra long barrel is double-walled. The outer wall performs at max flex straight out of the wrapper. This means the bat has no warm up period. The inner barrel gives the bat added durability and ensures it stays legal when used by those with a very fast bat speed and/or those who see very fast pitching. The bat, of course, is legal in 1.20 USSSA, ASA, NSA, ISA and ISF fast-pitch leagues.
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.
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