This review pits three popular baseball bats against each other: the 2021 Rawlings VELO ACP, its predecessor the 2016 Rawlings VELO, and the Voodoo One. We delve into a head-to-head comparison, examining not only the visual differences in design between the two Rawlings models—a sleek updated look for the 2021 version versus the less composite 2016 model—but more importantly, their performance on the field. This in-depth analysis is informed by the firsthand experiences of former Utah Utes baseball players, Cody Davis and Cody Scajarri, who provide invaluable insights into the feel and effectiveness of each bat.Their testing reveals a clear hierarchy in performance. While the 2021 VELO ACP boasts an upgrade over its 2016 counterpart, both fall short of the Voodoo One in several key areas. This review explores the reasons behind this ranking, focusing on factors such as swing weight, sweet spot size, and overall hitting experience. Discover which bat reigned supreme and why it's the top choice for players seeking a powerful and forgiving swing.
Pros And Cons
- Light-swinging, one-piece alloy
- Taking over college baseball
- Feels good, jumps off the bat
- Larger barrel than the Velo bats
- Ball bounces off the barrel
- More forgiving barrel and better sweet spot than Velo bats
- Ball seemed to go further
- Looks clean with blue and gold graphics
- Felt better than the 2016 model to some users
- Easier to swing than the 2016 model
- Small, rigid sweet spot
- Ball felt heavy coming off the barrel; required powering through contact
- Not much sweet spot
- Very popular bat in its time
- Felt like users had to fight through contact
- Too balanced and rigid on the hands
- Small sweet spot
- Felt worse than the 2021 model to some users
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Comparing the 2021 Rawlings VELO ACP and the 2016 Rawlings VELO
The 2021 Rawlings VELO ACP boasts a sleek, updated design with blue and gold accents, quite different from its predecessor. The 2016 VELO features less composite material on the end cap, a notable visual distinction. This review aims to compare their performance, not just aesthetics.
The 2016 VELO, once incredibly popular, was found to be less impressive in recent tests. Many experienced difficulty connecting with the ball, requiring excessive effort to make solid contact. The bat's balanced feel was considered almost too much, resulting in a lack of a distinct sweet spot.
Player Feedback and Performance
Former Utah Utes baseball players Cody Davis and Cody Scajarri joined the review, offering valuable insights from their experience with both bats. Their input provided a practical perspective on the feel and performance of each model.
Both players initially tested the 2021 VELO ACP, noting a rigid feel and a smaller sweet spot. While acknowledging the bat's power, they felt that the 2016 VELO offered a similar experience, highlighting the lack of significant improvements.
The hitters described the feel of the ball coming off the barrel as heavy, demanding extra effort for solid hits. This feedback pointed towards a potential issue with the bats' balance and the size of their sweet spots.
Introducing the Voodoo One Bat
Next, the review incorporated the Voodoo One bat, known for its lightweight construction and one-piece alloy design. This bat is a popular choice in college baseball, creating an interesting contrast to the Rawlings models.
The Voodoo One's performance stood in stark contrast to the Rawlings VELO bats. The testers found it significantly more comfortable and easier to swing. They appreciated the larger sweet spot and the livelier feel of the ball off the barrel.
The Voodoo One clearly outperformed both Rawlings VELO bats in terms of feel and overall hitting experience. The players consistently hit the ball farther and with more confidence using the Voodoo One.
Final Rankings and Conclusion
After thorough testing and consideration, the players ranked the bats as follows: Voodoo One (first place), 2021 Rawlings VELO ACP (second place), and 2016 Rawlings VELO (third place). This ranking reflects the significant difference in performance and feel.
The Voodoo One's superior performance largely stems from its lighter swing weight, larger sweet spot, and the overall livelier feel of the ball off the bat. While the 2021 VELO ACP provided more power compared to the 2016 model, it still lacked the ease and comfort of the Voodoo One.
Ultimately, the Voodoo One proved to be the clear winner, offering a vastly superior hitting experience. For players seeking power and forgiveness, the Voodoo One is the superior choice. While the 2021 Rawlings VELO ACP shows improvement over its older version, it still falls short in comparison to the Voodoo One.