2012 Rawlings BBCOR Baseball Bats – Velo, Machine

We have just seen and swung the new 2012 Rawlings Velo and Rawlings Machine BBCOR bats.

The 5150 stays in the 2012 lineup and remains unchanged from 2011. Rawlings is introducing the 5150 Velo, selling for $249.95 it is based on the 5150 Alloy, but comes with an upgraded end cap that takes away vibration and makes the bat feel more solid.

The Rawlings Machine BBCOR uses the 5150 alloy barrel but has a composite handle, making this $300 BBCOR the comfortable to swing, but also the most end loaded.

The good thing about the 2012 Rawlings BBCOR bats is they are all a little different, and you can tell the minute you hit them.

Here’s a quick break down of the 2012 Rawlings BBCOR bats:

Rawlings 5150 BBCOR – Model BBCA – $199

• Same bat as 2011. No changes.
• One piece all aluminum
• Loud ping
• Very balanced
• A little bit of vibration, not much, but the most of all three of the bats
• Has a hollow, almost golf club feeling when the ball is struck

 

Rawlings 5150 Velo BBCOR – Model BB51V – $249

• New for 2012
• One piece all aluminum
• Nice ping sound, but not as loud as original 5150
• Very balanced
• Little to no vibration due to the new end cap
• Feels more solid when the ball is hit

 

Rawlings Machine BBCOR – BBMC – $299

• New for 2012
• Composite handle with 5150 aluminum alloy barrel
• Least ping sound of all, but sounds good
• End loaded
• No vibration
• Feels great when hitting the ball

 

We enjoyed all three bats, but if I was going to buy one, it would be the Velo 5150. All the bats have the same “pop” and the Velo being balanced with pretty much no vibration makes it hard to beat.