As a baseball coach, I am a big fan of Marucci bats and their amazing technology inserted in the bat. Some of their upgraded bats are Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9. I have tried both of them. But in this blog, I want to talk about only the Marucci Cat 8 Review.
Marucci Cat 8 Review: What is Important So Far
First, I would like to say that I am not a tech guy. Science lovers love all the technology inserted in a bat. But my first thought is, how good does the bat hit?
The second one is, how far does the ball go?
If you love the game, you need to play it, and a good bat is just another friendly accessory. Nothing more, nothing less.
So, the most important thing is how the bat performs. If it performs well, then I don’t have to complain, or I do not need to overthink it.
If I am satisfied with its performance, then I look into what they have used for making it.
Now, I am going to tell you what are new things about this precious bat. Because in the first phase, it left me quite satisfied.
For your information, I have also tried Marucci CAT7 and loved it.
Let’s now talk about the performance of Marucci CAT 8 first.
Marucci Cat 8 Review: Performance
I have tried to hit around 50 to 60 throws from my team’s players. Different players have different speeds and forces. It helped me to understand the bat perfectly.
The bat has a controlled performance. It lets you hit the ball hard, and the ball goes very far.
With my force, I have sent the balls at the corners of the field. It feels like it has got the best sweet spot ever.
Rather than in a circle, it moves in a pivot manner, so the throwing was quite good.
But the controlled part was something different. The force did not hit me directly. It’s like the bat absorbed it.
I have had the same feelings with some compound bats but with the alloy bats, it is really tough.
And for the mishits, there was almost no sting.
At that moment, I did understand that the bat had quite a good drop. It was the USSSA version of the bat I had played with. The drop was 4. And it perfectly fits the guidelines.
But after all the time during the practice, my hands did not go sore.
Then I got interested and learned about the bat.
Related: Marucci CAT 7 Vs CAT 8 BBCOR
The Design
I have already told you about the Marucci Cat 7 bat. It was very strong and had 7 different thicknesses in the barrel.
The Marucci Cat 8 had 8 different thicknesses inside. To hit harder as well as to distribute the vibration completely to the handle.
The construction is made with ring-free aluminum, which lets the bat take the vibration off while the ball does hit off-center.
And the lightweight design is indeed mesmerizing for players from all ages and walks of life. Marucci Cat 8 is one piece of work!
The Material
When I have looked for the material, I have found that it is indeed a completely new alloy.
Marucci is known for using high-grade aluminum alloys in their bats.
Many other bat companies also do it.
However, most of the alloys are military-grade or aeronautical alloys. Something new is indeed exciting.
Marucci invented this alloy only to meet the needs of a new bat that can be a fit bat for any player.
The alloy is named AZ105.
The Anti-Vibration Knob
While the design with ring-free thinner walls leads to a barrel that is good enough to distribute the vibration, there is another Ace inside.
Usually, while the barrel hits the ball, the vibration is distributed to the knob, ie the handle. If the bat is not designed perfectly, it causes your hand to go sore quickly.
But Marucci put an anti-vibration knob that actually handles the rest of the vibration that is left behind.
This is their key to success. Small things like this always matter when you are playing a game.
If you are a good batter, then you DO NOT want to get a sore hand while playing, trust me I know.
The Grip
When it comes to the grip, Marucci had a good name for all their bats.
The Cat 7 had a good grip, as I have mentioned in its review. But the Marucci Cat 8 grip is better.
It is a perforated grip, and the grip is extra-soft.
But I do have some comments about it.
Many of the players do not like this kind of grip. They like the stronger ones.
If you do not like soft grips, that’s not my issue. But you should try the original grip of Marucci Cat 8 first.
If you use it, even if you like hard grips, I am sure you will like it certainly. I can assure you about that. You can also use an additional grip tape, they really help.
Tested by Professionals Before Coming in the Market
I can assure you that it is important for any good bat to find its master. But testing it beforehand mostly goes to the persons working in the company.
But Marucci literarily tested their Cat 8 with the help of professional baseball players who are playing on the field regularly.
I was an AAA league player myself. I know the value of the opinions of running players.
If they have correctly used their feedback to make this bat, then they indeed did a great job.
I liked the bat better when I came to know this!
Different Versions for Different Leagues
The Marucci 8 review is not just for MLB or professional players.
If you are playing in another league, then you can also try the bat.
It comes with different versions for different games. Like Drop 3 for BBCOR and Drop 5 and 10 for USSSA.
As a result, according to your need, you can pick up any of the versions of the bat.
After I had tried it, I suggested it to my team players all the time.
Before using Marucci bats, I did not like aluminum alloy bats that much. But Marucci changed my views about them.
The bat will serve you for a long time, that’s for sure.
Warranty
While it is my own statement that the bat will last for a very long time, you can get assurance from the company itself.
They provide a whole year’s warranty with Marucci Cat 8.
Pros
- Aluminum alloy bat, constructed from one piece of metal for the best performance
- Best sweet spot till the time I practiced with Marucci Cat 8
- Better vibration handle than Marucci Cat 7 aluminum alloy bat
- Ring-free construction to provide better vibration distribution throughout the bat
- Almost no sting was felt while the mishit happened on the field
- The knob absorbs the excessive energy directed towards the handle
Cons
- I have not found any particular setbacks while playing with the bat. But after so many balls, my hand went sore. I do not think the bat was responsible for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Marucci CAT8 or 9 better?
If you are thinking about buying the Marucci Cat 8 or the Marucci Cat 9, then just know this, the Cat 9 can take more vibration and give a smoother gaming experience. But I like the CAT 8 better when it comes to BBCOR.
2. Is Marucci Cat 7 or CAT8 better?
Marucci CAT 7 was indeed one of a kind. With 7 7-part thickness in the bat and made with special alloys, it gives you low vibration and a more sweet spot to hit. But certainly, the CAT 8, with 8 part-thickness in the body and a great alloy, is more fun! It reduces the vibration much more and gives you the hitting experience you need more.
3. What is the Marucci CAT8 made of?
Marucci CAT8 is made with an alloy that is made by Marucci. It is called AZ105 alloy. The aluminum alloy is great for building a bat and gives it a ring-free one-piece structure. Best for anti-vibration and sweet spots.
Final Thoughts
Certainly, Marucci CAT8 is better than CAT 7. I loved playing with the bat. Then I bought two more BBCOR bats for two of my players.
They loved it very much, and I always see them practicing with them. Indeed, their performance was much improved because of the confidence the bat added to them.
Read More
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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.