The Marucci CAT5 Squared BBCOR bat: a name whispered with reverence in baseball circles. Banned in 2012 for exceeding performance standards, this legendary bat remains a highly sought-after collectible and a testament to its exceptional design. This review delves into the CAT5 Squared's enduring legacy, comparing its performance against modern Marucci BBCOR bats to determine if its reputation is deserved. Was the ban justified, or did the CAT5 Squared simply represent a pinnacle of bat technology that its contemporaries struggled to match?We pit the infamous CAT5 Squared against the CADX one-piece, the budget-friendly CAT6, and the popular CATX Connect. Using a pitching machine for consistent testing, we measured exit velocities to objectively compare the bats' performance. This rigorous analysis reveals whether the CAT5 Squared's legendary status is rooted in fact or folklore, and ultimately, whether it still holds its own against today's top-performing BBCOR bats.
Pros And Cons
- High exit velocities
- Feels similar to newer Marucci bats (Cat6)
- Good quality for its time
- Was banned from BBCOR due to exceeding performance standards
Read more: Top 5 Best BBCOR Baseball Bats in 2024
The Legendary Banned Bat: Marucci CAT5 Squared
The Marucci CAT5 Squared, a bat allegedly banned in 2012, holds a legendary status among baseball players. Its high performance, exceeding the .50 BBCOR test, led to its ban, making it a highly sought-after piece of baseball history. This review will compare it against modern Marucci BBCOR bats.
Visual inspection shows a design strikingly similar to later Marucci models like the CAT8 or CAT9. The 33-inch version was the culprit, its performance surpassing the allowable limits by a small margin. It's a testament to its exceptional hitting capabilities.
Modern Marucci Bats for Comparison
To properly assess the CAT5 Squared, we'll compare it against three modern Marucci bats: the CADX one-piece, the budget-friendly CAT6, and the popular CATX Connect. Each bat offers different features and price points. The goal is to determine if the banned bat still holds its own against current technology.
Performance Testing: Exit Velocity and Feel
Using a pitching machine to maintain consistency, we tested each bat, recording exit velocities. The CADX one-piece provided a solid baseline, consistently hitting around 100 mph. The CAT6 delivered similar results, showing its competitive performance despite being a more budget-conscious option. The CATX Connect, known for its performance in college baseball, also impressed with high exit velocities.
The CAT5 Squared: A Historical Hitter
Finally, it was time to put the legendary CAT5 Squared to the test. Initial swings showed it to be surprisingly similar to the CAT6 in terms of feel and barrel shape. The exit velocities were consistently high, comparable to the modern bats. It delivered a powerful and satisfying swing.
While not drastically outperforming the newer bats, the CAT5 Squared held its own with impressive exit velocities in the 100+ mph range. The overall experience suggests this bat was, indeed, remarkably well-engineered for its time.
Conclusion: A Legend Worth Revisiting?
The Marucci CAT5 Squared, despite being banned, remains a high-performing bat. Its performance easily matched modern top-tier models in terms of exit velocity, though the feel might be slightly different. While the ban might have been justified for its time, by today's standards, it wouldn't necessarily stand out as an outlier.
The comparison clearly shows that high-performance BBCOR bats haven't changed drastically. Modern alternatives offer similar performance and often refined features, but the CAT5 Squared proves that even a 'banned' bat can still hold its own against the best. It's a testament to quality and design.