The Z-1000 might just be Louisville Slugger‘s return to one of softballs top manufactures.
Conditions
The weather was a blistering 102 with little to no wind. Using a mix of balls (Thunder Advance, Thunder Heat, Worth Toxic) I really got to feel how that bat hit with every ball.
Hitters
I, myself am a D ball player with average power. A few other players also hit the bat including three power hitters who are C ballers, and several E players with only line drive hitting capability. We hit for two hours before a game putting 200-300 hits on the bat. The bat was then used on two different fields during games. I will be giving my point of view as I saw two very different groups of guys hit the bat.
Appearance
The ASA Z-1000 has a very clean look to it. Louisville has always had a traditional look to their bats, except maybe the “clown Catalysts”. The clean lines and simple colors appeal to a wide verity of players. While I prefer more daring graphics, the traditional baseball look of this bats will draw a lot of people in.
Sound
Sound is not usually something I address in my bat reviews, but this has to be talked about with this bat. The Z-1000 has a very loud and different sound to it. Somewhere between a “Click” and a “Crack” is where you would find this sound. It is very different and very loud. I’ve played 3 games with the bat now and in every game someone has picked up the bat and looked it over, obviously assuming it has been altered in one way or another.
Feel
Personally I prefer a bat with an amount of flex in it, (ie. Mutants and RD28s) though TPS has traditionally kept their bats stiff, the Z-1000 doesn’t feel stiff in your hands. It is smooth through the zone and has a nice weight distribution. The vibration reduction piece that is in place with the two piece connector really does its job. There is no vibration to the hands and the bat feels solid on impact.
Performance
Let’s just say I was getting cash offers after the games. Overall the bat was good out of the wrapper, but there are two varying opinions on the bat. One was from several rec ball players who didn’t have much power. They loved the bat and thought it gave them an edge over the competition. While some of the bigger hitters didn’t fall in love with the bat, they were hitting well with it. The main complaint they had was on the sound of the bat. They thought it was loud and “just didn’t sound right”.
Overall
I thought this was a nice bat. It has a good feel through the zone and nice pop off the bat. Though it didn’t really fit my swing and what I like in a bat, there were 9 other guys on the field who would give it 5’s across the board.
Rating
4 out of 5
You might like this bat if: You have a base hitters swing and don’t mind a little noise.
This might not be the bat for you if: You have a power swing and can compress a barrel to its full potential.
Have anything to add? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.
The Z-1000 might just be Louisville return to one of softballs top manufactures.
Conditions
The weather was a blistering 102 with little to no wind. Using a mix of balls (Thunder Advance, Thunder Heat, Worth Toxics) I really got to feel how that bat hit with every ball.
Hitters
I, myself am a D ball player with average power. A few other players also hit the bat including three power hitters who are C ballers, and several E players with only line drive hitting capability. We hit for two hours before a game putting 200-300 hits on the bat. The bat was then used on two different fields during games. I will be giving my point of view as I saw two very different groups of guys hit the bat.
Appearance
The ASA Z-1000 has a very clean look to it. Louisville has always had a traditional look to their bats, save the “clown Catalysts”. The clean lines and simple colors appeal to a wide verity of players. Well I prefer more daring graphics, the traditional baseball look of this bats will draw a lot of people in.
Sound
Sound is not usually something I address in my bat reviews, but this has to be talked about with this bat. The Z-1000 has a very loud and different sound to it. Somewhere between a “Click” and a “Crack” is where you would find this sound. It is very different and very loud. I’ve played 3 games with the bat now and in every game someone has picked up the bat and looked it over, obviously assuming it has been altered in one way or another.
Feel
Personally I prefer a bat with an amount of flex in it, (ie. Mutants and RD28s) though TPS has traditionally kept their bats stiff, the Z-1000 doesn’t feel stiff in your hands. It is smooth through the zone and has a nice weight distribution. The vibration reduction piece that is in place with the two piece connector really does its job. There is no vibration to the hands and the bat feels solid on impact.
Performance
Let’s just say I was getting cash offers after the games. Overall the bat was good out of the wrapper, but there are two varying opinions on the bat. One was from several rec ball players who didn’t have much power. They loved the bat and thought it gave them an edge over the competition. While some of the bigger hitters didn’t fall in love with the bat, they were hitting well with it. The main complaint they had was on the sound of the bat. They thought it was loud and “just didn’t sound right”.
Overall
4 out of 5
I thought this was a nice bat. It has a good feel through the zone and nice pop off the bat. Though it didn’t really fit my swing and what I like in a bat, there were 9 other guys who would give it 5’s across the board.
You might like this bat if: You have a base hitters swing and don’t mind a little noise.
This might not be the bat for you if: You have a power swing and can compress a barrel to its full potential.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by HRS Informer, Nick Eason. Nick Eason said: RT @hrsinformer Product Review: Louisville Slugger Z-1000 Slowpitch Softball Bat | HRS! Informer http://bit.ly/cHaRVd [...]
In the bag, I have the Worth Ressy, and a trusty Mizuno Fury with about 2000 hits on it that is smioking the ball. Picked up a 27oz 2010 Z1000 Bal Utrip last summer on a trade, my 1st LS bat ever. Like the grip of the bat has a slight end-load too it, but most of all it is now my GAMER. The Ressey and Fury are now my backup bats. It has about 500-600 hits on it and the sound is unique because folks have never heard that paticular sound of the Z1000. I;m 6′ 200lbs avg D player, but I am hitting consistent 300-330 range with the .Dudleys .44 cores
When this one ever breaks-hopefully it will not, I will try the endloaded utrip version next. The 2010 models are going for about $179-199 now-definite a recommended bat for the players who want to smoke some infield lasers and go for your typical 320′ fence
Z…I have the EL version for Utrip and you can pound the ball for sure with it. Out of the wrapper I put one about 350ft and was convinced. I’ve never had a bat with out of the wrapper pop like that one. Watch out for the 454′s coming out, I’ll have a review up once I get some more hits on it.
-Nick
This bat is a MUST HAVE! i fell in love with this bat while watching one of my team mates swing with it. I asked to put a few swings on it and found that with my swing this bat worked to my advantage. Through the “try out” session I was smoking the ball into the gaps and hitting the base of every fence. I am a player that is best known for my speed and my Def, this bat makes more well rounded. After about 3 games renting the bat my friend offered me the bat at a very great price so i jumped all over it. This particular bat fit me better than it fit him and I have had a ton of success with it. Keep in mind that this bat may not fit everyone’s taste. now almost 6 months later I am still smoking the gaps and surprising many players on the field, so to my defenders continue to play up on me (;
I recommend this bat to all average hitters with average power, for those with a heavy swing i recommend the EASTON SALVO!
The Salvo…..come on man you can do better than that. Actually look out for the Worth 454 I’ll be review that soon.
-Nick
The Worth “Filthy” is a SOLID bat but I have had success with the Easton Salvo. Everyone has their weapon of choice…..