Louisville Slugger TPX EXO

[tnetherton]

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a Louisville Slugger TPX EXO (-5).........anyone have any experience with this bat or relevant comments?

Thanks

[JeepTJ12]

I've hit with it. It's like every other TPX. I never liked TPX because they never seemed to be responsive. The metal always felt like you were hitting rocks off it. It's a very stiff bat. The Demarini CF3 is the best bat out there IMO.

[MrSurprise]

I use the -3 when batting... I like it alot. I think I like it alot because its a one piece bat, all these new 2 piece bats have the weight distributed in different places and I don't like that. This TPX doesn't quite have the pop as alot of the newer bats but the pop stays consistent wayyyy longer, I have had this one for over a year and a half and it hits just like when I got it. The most popular bat on our team is the Plasma, they love the pop it has but it only lasts like 2 games and then its gone.

[TG Coach]

The EXO is one of the highly used high school and college bats. Whether someone likes it or not depends on their preference. It has nice balance like a wood bat (243 model). The Easton Stealth models and the Demarini Voodoo are also among the popular high school and college bats. The Nike bats aren't as well widely used. But they are good bats. The Nike Torque is very similar to the EXO.

Since you asked about -5 bats, I'm curious about your age and size. I'm guessing you're middle school age. You should probably be using a -3 bat. You're going to have to in 9th grade/high school.

[Hartattack52]

exo

I use my friends 2008 -5 Exo, and i love it. I already the ordered the 2009. I have a 32 23.5 also. The Exo has a stiff handle, so it doesn't flex upon contact. You can really feel when you get a solid hit. With the stiff handle you can still drive an inside pitch off the handle into the outfield.

Hope this helps.

[jimmies21]

With the stiff handle you can still drive an inside pitch off the handle into the outfield.

One of many reasons to get rid of aluminum bats.

[johnnyc]

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a Louisville Slugger TPX EXO (-5).........anyone have any experience with this bat or relevant comments?

Thanks

My son used a -5 LS Dynasty last year that just went dead 2 weeks ago. We returned the bat under warranty and it was replaced last week with a brand new 31/26 TPX EXO. It is still in shrink wrap. His league this year requires that we use -3 and therefore we cant use the bat.

I was just going to list it on ebay, but I will give you a very good price if you are really interested. If so, private message me with your parent's email address and we can work out the details.

John's dad

[tnetherton]

Thanks everyone....we pulled the trigger as he loved the bat. As for his age, it's 13.....we're trying to close the gap and gradually get to the -3 required for high school.........going with "baby steps.

Thanks everyone.

[TG Coach]

Thanks everyone....we pulled the trigger as he loved the bat. As for his age, it's 13.....we're trying to close the gap and gradually get to the -3 required for high school.........going with "baby steps.

Thanks everyone.

I found it best to go straight to -3 at 13U. T For the most part, the pitching slows down for a year since the pitchers are backed up 10-14 feet. From 13U to 14U the pitching distance is the same but the pitchers get faster.

[ST LEO BASBALL]

yada yada

"yea, I started my son on a -3 bat in T-Ball. The coach pitch dad's are old and can't throw real well. I want my son to be ready for JV baseball right away." LOL.

It would be great, if any actual questions asked about which Senior League baseball bats are reliable and have been used... be answered with something other than use a drop 3 or get a wood bat dummie! Many, many 13-14 yr old leagues don't require a drop 3 and if the parents of these boys inquire about a Senior League baseball bats it would be nice if the responders answer their questions with specific answers.............

[johnnyc]

You raise a valid point - "answer the darn question", but I think there is value in the "use a -3" advice too.

I am a dad, not a coach, and I played LL ball and pitched as a kid in the early 70s. My son is now 13. I throw and have thrown batting practice to my son from April to November for the past 3 years. We spend quality time together, and I get to pitch (which I like) and he hits (which he likes).

The bat requirements start to change at 13, and it seemed like it's all over the map when I looked into this online. I believe Ripken allows -8, most CYO and PAL leagues allow -5, and some school and LL programs only allow -3.

I was lucky to have my son play Fall baseball last year, where I first noticed these changes coming up. He was still 12, and we got a preview of the 90 foot bases and new 2 5/8 bat barrel. He picked up a teammate's 33/30, and I was like "wait a second - that is not your swing - there has to be a better option here".

I bought him a 31/26 LS Dynasty and he did terrific in the Fall. He used that bat for a 10 week hitting clinic over the Winter. We hit every other day in April so far this year, and the bat developed a crack. He borrowed his cousin's 33/30 bat, and he still wasn't ready for it.

I bought him 2 bats a week ago: a 32/27 LS Dynasty and a 32/29 Dynasty - saved some money by getting the older models. He is using the 32/27 in CYO, which just started, and is doing great. But, I have him hitting 15-20 tee balls with the 32/29 to warm up before we do batting practice now. That gives us 6 weeks to have him adjust to the -3 (the summer LL travel team that starts in June requires -3).

I think the people who say "use a -3 or use wood" are just warning everyone what's coming and to be ready for it.

John's Dad