Marucci F5 Reviews & Comparison With Others

Last Updated on May 24, 2022

When talking about a baseball bat, Marucci is a leading contender. Their baseball bats have been loved by many, and honestly saying, I am also one of them. But most probably, some of you have not heard about this one (Not many, I can guess). That’s why I came with Marucci F5 Reviews today. 

Marucci F5 is one of my favorites. All contact hitters, there is no way you will not love this bat. Do you like speed and control? With my playing experience with this bat, I will highly recommend this one. 

Here I will talk about Marucci F5. Its elite design, every pro, and con. And that’s not all. I will also compare this bat with other similar Marucci bats so that it gets easier for you to make the decision.

Marucci F5 Baseball bat reviews

When someone talks about Marucci, the first thing that comes to mind is their CAT series. They are famous for that series. But Marucci did not dishearten those who don’t afford to buy CAT series bat and that’s why they launched this F5. 

 I will discuss those in the latter part of this review article. But now let’s talk about one of the best value aluminum bats from Marucci. 

Let me give you some interesting information about the F5 series. Why did Marucci opt for the name F5? 

Marucci took this name from the ‘tornado.’ I hope all of you know what it is. According to the old scale, a tornado scale of F5 contains a wind in-between speed of 261-318 mph! Thus, with the name “F5,” Marucci sends the message that this bat has the power of a tornado to destroy the pitcher.  

Marucci F5 could be the entry-level bat, and if you compare it with Marucci’s CAT series such as CAT 7, CAT 8, and CAT 9, this bat won’t be able to compete in some levels. But still, it’s a bat that many baseball players like to have at their disposal. 

Summary of Marucci F5

Why did Marucci F5 create a huge buzz in the market? Well, I will talk about many reasons. But the foremost reason is this is a great bat with excellent performance and comes at a very competitive price. 

Marucci F5 comes at a meager cost compared to other high-priced baseball bats. I bet you can not get a better one in the market cheaper than this one. 

Now the technical part. Like most other Marucci bats, Marucci F5 also comes in two options such as Marucci F5 USSSA Bat with drop 10 and Marucci F5 BBCOR Bat with drop 3.  

Any baseball batter first sees the weight and balance of a bat. This bat comes with great weight and balance, which helps you to hit miles. And the grip is also very high quality. If you are a new baseball batter, you can also easily control the bat with grip and balance. 

The USSSA and BBCOR are both made with one-piece alloy allowing you to go with it straight to the ground, just bringing it out of the wrapper. 

This is one of those baseball bats that attracts young baseball players. The price and the performance that Marucci F5 produces very few baseball bats can produce. You can not compare this bat with any four hundred or five hundred dollar baseball bat, but definitely, this is the best in this price range you can find in the market. 

Let’s dive into the deep analysis of the Marucci F5 review. 

The Construction and Design 

Design is the first thing that attracts when anyone goes to purchase a baseball bat. I think you’ll like a couple of key aspects of the design of the Marucci F5. 

The Marucci F5 comes with a multi-variable wall design in the barrel. This multi-variable wall design in the barrel will give you added durability. In addition, this barrel profile makes the life span of the bat longer. As a result, you can use this bat for many seasons. 

Another impact of this barrel is the extended ‘sweet spot.’ Every baseball batter loves to have an extended sweet spot. I am a great fan of an extended sweet spot and always used bats with greater sweet spots. This always helped me to hit the ball like a rocket and achieve solid line drives. 

The ring-free design makes the barrel equal and better. What is the problem with the ring?

Sometimes if the barrel contains rings, that can create dead spots. And you should know, that dead spots can restrict a ball from going distances though the hit is ‘just perfect.’ That is quite frustrating. That’s why I am a big fan of the ring-free barrel. 

The entire Marucci F5 lineup comes in three available color combinations (Blue+Gray+White.)

In terms of design, there are some differences between the three bats but the basic design is the same. 

Performance

While talking about performance, three things are most crucial – balance, control, and speed. Marucci F5 has certified BBCOR and USSSR versions and comes with an excellent grip, considering the price. 

Batters can get added speed because of the one-piece aluminum construction.. As an ex-player, I personally choose this type of one-piece because it will increase your swing speed and crush the ball out of the park. 

Or in other words, with this type of bat, hitting the ball is much easier. For the last few years, top baseball bat manufacturers have been shifting from heavy bats to lighter bats. 

As Marucci F5 is BBCOR certified, you can use this bat to play a lot of leagues all over the country. BBCOR is the safety certification that allows you to use this bat in the leagues.   

If you want to know a little more about the grip, let’s inform you of that. The grip is a micro-perforated soft-touch grip. The best thing about this grip is that it is very much comfortable. It feels like sponges and gives you a nice feel when you grip it.  

Sizing

If there are any drawbacks of Marucci F5, that is the size. The F5 bat is available in Drop 10 and Drop 3 with 2 ¾ for both Junior Big Barrel and Big Barrel Leagues. 

So, you can guess this bat is only for those who need a baseball bat with drop 3 and drop 10. If you need to drop 7, 8, or something like these numbers, this bat is not for you. 

So, guys, before making any purchase try to make sure that the size fits your need. If the size fits, then this is an excellent choice for sure. 

Bat Grip

Grey is the color of the entire Marucci F5 bat lineup. I have already told a lot about the grip and its benefits. Though some players reported that the grip started to tear after a few months, the number was not alarming. That could happen to any bat. 

You can take an expert opinion from me. There is always an option to change and add your own grip. 

Break-In Period

This is a significant factor with this bat. Marucci F5 has no break-in period. If you are into baseball, you must know the break-in period can be a huge pain. But not with Marucci F5. 

This bat has no break-in period. This means you just can unwrap this bat and go to the field to hit some home runs! 

The entire Marucci F5 does not require any break-in process. 

I also have a dedicated article on bat rolling and shaving which is connected to the break-in period. You can also know which one is legal. 

What about the Price? 

If you are following this review article so far, the price is one of the big reasons why players are attracted to this bat. Marucci is a  big brand, and when they deliver a bat with this price, that is a huge deal for any baseball player, young or pro. 

But don’t you think Marucci has released a bat with entry-level price with low quality. The performance of this bat is extremely good and, to some extent, is similar to some of the highly paid bats in the market. 

Sure, you will find some drawbacks when you compare to expansive Marucci counterparts, but in some cases, this bat shows as good performance as its expansive counterparts. 

If you are a young baseball player or a guardian, finding a good piece for your son or daughter, this is an excellent piece.

Pros and Cons of the best value bat From Marucci

Pros

• Extremely Affordable
• Perfect for new baseball players
• BBCOR and USSSR certified 
• Comes in ready to use format. No break-in period is needed. 
• Ringless and multi-wall ring provides durability and eliminates dead spots. 
• Comfortable grip. 
• Excellent performance, considering the price. 

Cons

• Sizes are limited. Only two sizes are available 
• Some complaints about the grip durability.  
• The vibration is not good enough.

Marucci F5 USSSA Senior League Baseball Bat

Comparison between Other Marucci models

Marucci F5 vs. CAT 7

The Marucci CAT 7 comes with two-piece hybrid construction. The handle is carbon composite with an AZX4 alloy barrel.  

On the other hand, the F5 BBCOR is built with a one-piece Marucci standard alloy. As a result, CAT 7 has a superior alloy with additional response time. 

Both CAT 7 and F5 Drop 10 comes with a similar construction for the senior league. So, if you consider construction, technically, there is no difference between these two versions of Marucci bats.

But Marucci CAT 7 has their patent AV2 knob. I hope you know about this technology invented by Marucci. The AV2 Knob reduces the vibration while heating the ball, allowing batters a better chance to hit a perfect shot. 

Sadly, the Marucci F5 does not have any AV2 knob. Therefore, the vibration is higher compared to CAT 7. 

In a nutshell, CAT 7 will give you lesser vibration and superior balance than the F5. But you have to consider the price also. 

So, what is my opinion here? 

If the price is not an issue for you, you should go for CAT 7. But if you are a beginner and looking for an affordable solution, then I must recommend Marucci F5. CAT 7 is twice the price of F5. But in terms of performance, the difference is not that big.  

If you do not know the difference between two pieces and a one-piece bat we have covered that in this article on 2 Piece Bat Vs 1 Piece. 

Marucci F5 vs. Marucci CAT 8

Marucci used their standard alloy for the F5. That alloy has a nice stiff feel. But the CAT 8 series has a completely different type of alloy, and Marucci used AZ105 alloy, which was a product of 3 years of research and development. 

This alloy was completely new, which is a much stronger and upgraded version of the aluminum alloy they used in their previous versions. The upgraded alloy is superior to the Marucci F5 line. The AZ105 alloy is much stronger, and the performance is much higher. 

Construction-wise, the F5 has a one-piece, but the CAT 8 has a two-piece composite model. The two-piece composite model of CAT 8 also features Marucci’s patented SDX EXT connection. 

Do you have any idea about the SDX EXT connection? This is another extraordinary invention by the famous brand Marucci. This technology is responsible for creating a stiffer handle. As a result of that stiffer handle, the batter can transfer more energy to the ball while hitting. 

So, performance-wise the CAT 8 can provide extra energy transfer to the ball. And the vibration is less like the CAT 7. If you are a professional player playing in the big leagues, these two are very crucial advantages you must want to have in your bat. 

Now let’s talk about the barrel diameter. The CAT has a larger barrel diameter. Let me give you the exact math here. The CAT 8 has 2.75 inches in diameter, whereas the F5 has 2.625 inches. This .125 extra barrel length creates a larger strike zone and big sweet spot. And both come without compromising the performance and balance. 

Lastly, the price is CAT 8 is much higher than the F5. So, price-wise it is an unfair comparison. But still, the F5 has great performance if you consider the price difference. 

Which one should you buy? Well, If you are a professional player playing in large leagues, there is no way you should buy F5 instead of CAT 8. But if the scenario is reversed, it’s better to go with F5. After all, price is a decisive factor if you are not earning a good amount from the sport. 

We have a detailed guide on Marucci CAT 7 Vs Marucci CAT 8. You can also read that if you want to know more about them. 

Marucci F5 vs. Marucci CAT 9

It could be an unfair comparison considering these two models’ price and technology differences. 

But still, I want to make the comparison so that you can get an idea of how greatly Marucci designed their F5 model so that I can make a comparison it with one of their best baseball bats. 

So far, CAT 9 is the latest model of Marucci’s baseball bat product line. 

Starting with the construction, Marucci F5 is a one-piece, and CAT 9 is a two-piece composite bat. 

In terms of alloy, the CAT 9 is built with AZR alloy, which has a microstructure that brings more responsiveness to the energy from the bat. If we consider the strength of the alloy, both are the same, but the AZR alloy has a better feel. 

Marucci incorporated the outer-locking system on their CAT 9 series. Talking about vibration, the CAT 9 has the most superior vibration to its predecessor. So, F5 has no chance to compare in terms of vibration. 

This revolutionary technology offers an even stiffer connection than CAT 8. This new system of Marucci virtually eliminates all negative vibrations to the batters’ hands. 

So, what is my opinion? Well, the CAT 9 is for top-level professionals. So, there is no comparison between these two models. But my suggestion is if you are not a top-level professional, there is no point in purchasing such a highly expansive bat.

Want to know the comparison between Marucci CAT 8 Composite and Demarini CF ZEN? We have a comparison of Cat 8 Vs Cf Zen 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1.Is Marucci F5 bat banned? 

I was asked these questions quite a few times. I don’t know where this rumor came from, but so many young baseball players have asked me this question. 

NO, Marucci F5 bat is not banned. In fact, some models of Marucci CAT 5 BBCOR bats were banned. But not all models of CAT 5 were banned. Only the 33 and 34 inches models of the Marucci CAT 5 series were banned. 

That two models from Marucci were hotter than the recommended by the governing body. Any player could hit a home run with those two models. Therefore, the governing body made those models illegal. 

But Marucci F5 had no issue of any kind, and no model of Marucci F5 has been declared illegal by any league authority. You can learn about Illegal Baseball Bats – Models and Methods from this article.

2. What year was the Marucci F5 released?

Marucci released their revolutionary F5 series on August 1, 2017. That was indeed a revolutionary attempt by Marucci. Because the brand was popular for its high-quality CAT series, they introduced an entry-level bat at a very competitive price. 

As a result of launching the F5 series, Marucci made their bat available for young players who don’t afford to buy their high-priced bats. Thanks to the Marucci bat development team, they did launch a bat at a very affordable price. 

3. Is Marucci F5 End loaded? 

Marucci incorporated most of the features of their CAT 7 series in F5. Both the bats had alloy barrels. Composite handle and end loaded. The only difference that both the bat had was the alloy. Marucci F5 came with standard alloy, and the CAT 7 was built with superior AZ4X alloy.

Final Verdict 

The inspiration for the name F5 came from the tornado scale. And indeed, it is an awesome bat from one of the best baseball bat companies in the world. 

Marucci F5 is an awesome choice that comes with great performance and at a very affordable price. In the Drop 10 and BBCOR certified range, this is probably one of the best. The only drawback is it’s not available in other drops. 

But If the drop matches your requirement, it will definitely serve your purpose. 

If you are a young player and looking for a good bat that is approved for leagues, don’t hesitate and buy this one without any hesitation. Personally, I suggest my students use this bat, and honestly speaking, nobody has ever complained. 

All young players and their parents are looking for a decent bat; stop your research here and order one online right now. This is my honest opinion in the Honest baseball dot com. 

I hope you enjoyed my Marucci F5 reviews and were convinced to get one for you. Get Marucci F5 and hit some home runs. I wish you all the very best for next season.

Jason Butler

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.