It has been a matter of debate for a long time that 2 piece bat vs 1 piece bat – which one is the better one. Even MLB players are often divided among themselves on this matter.
Although you may think one is certainly better than the other, it is not quite true for all the cases. Different situations ask for different types of bats.
As a coach for 7 years, I have seen many batters doing good with each of them. I will try to explain to you when you should use which bat and why. After the comparison, you will totally understand which one you should use.
So, without further delay, let’s know the two types of baseball bats and compare them to understand their Pros and Cons for you.
Why should you know this?
Let me tell you a story about a kid named Nelson whom I trained for a season while I was pretty new as a coach. He was a good batter, often a hard hitter.
One day, he was given lumber that belonged to his friend. It was new and the owner wanted Nelson to find out if it was good. But the hitting was not quite as good as he did with normal bats.
So, I tried to show him a few tricks with a new bat. Honestly, I never found myself distinguishing between a 2 piece bat vs 1 piece bat. Always felt both were the same as I played mostly as a keeper.
But Nelson’s case made me enthusiastic about a new perspective.
While the tricks failed, and Nelson was making good shots but not hard ones, I examined the bat. As far as I can remember, it was a Marucci 2 piece wooden bat but specially made for kids. Limited edition. That’s why Nelson’s friend was so eager for him to try.
But Nelson could not dig it with this bat.
I gave him a usual practice bat. It was one piece. And surprisingly, he just made a home run with the first hit.
1 Piece Bats
To explain what a One-Piece-Bat is, I want you to imagine a single piece of wood first. If you make a bat only with that single piece of wood, without any kind of joining, then it will be called a 1 piece bat.
Similarly, when it comes to metal, a 1 piece bat does not have any joints or welding. Rather, it is made with one running piece of metal.
What is the Advantage of a 1 piece bat?
One piece bats are specially made for hard hitters. They help those who have good speed and hit the ball hard. The wood or metal structure is fixed and works like a spinal cord from hand to the ball. When you hit the ball with it, the ball gets all the forces concentrated on the single spot of impact. As a result, the hit becomes hard and solid.
2 Piece Bats
Two piece bats are made by joining two parts of wood or metal. It can also be a hybrid.
A two piece bat has two parts – the handle or the grip and the barrel.It is sophistically joined with a joiner or any other means.
The handle can be longer than your usual 1 piece bats. The barrel can be shorter. 2 piece bats are really helpful for beginners or softball practitioners.
What is the Advantage of a 2 piece bat?
The main advantage of a 2 piece bat is directly associated with speed and velocity i.e. the laws of physics. While you get a force swing with a 1 piece bat, 2 piece bat absorbs most of the hit. As the barrel is joined with the handle through another means, the after-impact of hitting the ball is mostly absorbed by the neck and demolishes before it can reach the handle. As a result, the force is divided.
On the other hand, during impact, it does not work like a straight spinal cord, rather works as a flexible rope bat and helps with speed, not force. Because some of the force is already absorbed by the joint.
Marucci CAT series is a famous 2 piece series bat. Read our reviews
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1 piece vs 2 piece baseball bat comparison:
Power and Speed
When it comes to power, a one piece bat gives the opportunity to use your full force on the impact point with the ball. As a result, the force is reflected and you can throw the ball much further. This is ultimately the most important advantage of a 1 piece baseball bat.
While it comes to 2 piece baseball bats, if you have good speed, then you can use lower force to hit the ball further. Although it does not help you with direct force, you can have advantage if you have good speed.
Accuracy
As the force is directly used in the one piece bat, the accuracy is not the first option for this one. If accuracy is important, then a 2 piece bat can help it as it can customize the path of the ball by absorbing the force till a point.
The Sting
One piece bat is associated with the force. So using a one piece bat can reverse the force to you and the sting is as it is. No more, no less.
But when it comes to a two piece bat, the sting is not as much as the one piece bat. One piece bat reverses the full force while two piece bat absorbs the most within the barrel. So you do not need to face the same sting with this one.
Mishits
Mishits leave a stinging sensation when you are using a one piece bat. But if you are using a two piece bat then you don’t have to think about it.
Marucci F5 is a famous one-piece bat. From my point of view this one of the best bats at an affordable price.
Which one do the MLB players use?
MLB players are mostly associated with the idea of force, impact, and accuracy as their professional level is already within that reach. For this reason, most of the MLB players use one-piece bats while they use the two-piece bats for practice sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better, 2 piece bat or 1 piece bat?
2 piece or 1 piece bats are taken into consideration while you have certain differences between your force, speed, and accuracy. If you are good with your accuracy, then you can go for 1 piece bats. But if you do not like the stingy sensations during mishits, you can certainly go for the 2 piece bats.
2. How does a 2 piece bat work?
A 2 piece bat is made of two major parts – the handle and the barrel. Depending on the material, aluminum alloy barrel, and composite handle, it can also be called a hybrid bat. These two parts joining together by any means create a 2 piece bat. It absorbs the reverse impact and reduces the stinging sensation while batting.
3. What are 2 piece bats?
2 piece bats are two parts’ bats, consisting of a handle and a barrel. These two parts are joined together anyway to make a 2 piece bat.
4. Is one-piece bats good?
One piece bats made out of one single piece of material helps to use your full force on an impact point of a ball with the bat and gives it a good shot to throw further amplifying the force
5. What is the main advantage of a 2 piece bat?
The main advantage of a 2 piece bat is to absorb the impact and reduce the stinging sensation while playing. So, if you are into accuracy and do not like the sting then you can go for a 2 piece bat.
Conclusion
Both 1 piece bat and 2 piece bat have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. If you want to feel like a PRO MLB Player while it comes to baseball, then you should certainly go for the 1 piece bat with one piece of lumber or metal.
If you are practicing, good with speed and have a good accuracy then you should go for the 2 piece bat. Moreover, it will also take care of your reverse force of mishits, which often happens at baseball.
In the story I have told you earlier, the case of Nelson was that he was a hard hitter with a 1 piece bat. That’s why, he was facing problems with a 2 piece bat.
Whichever bat you take, practice regularly to reach the optimum level of the game.
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.