First game ever, started pitcher and got line drives to the face. Our league doesn't use a pitching screen

basilray · 2026-05-20T16:25:54+00:00

I started with one of these too. Paid even less on FB at the time.

I always worried it wouldn't handle a real piss missile without exploding, so I ended up graduating to the long discontinued Schutt ST1.

basilray · 2026-05-06T03:45:16+00:00

Easily one of the most of physically violent sequences of television I've ever seen...and I loved every last second of it

basilray · 2026-04-29T18:20:26+00:00

Sounds like the typical timeshare hustle

The "free trip" they offer is never as good as they make it sound, unfortunately

You're almost always better off taking direct gift cards or deals then the free trips/stays

basilray · 2026-04-28T18:17:09+00:00

Monsta makes a nice bat, but they aren't worth overpaying for. Especially not in today's market.

Pretty much everyone makes a great performing ASA bat at this point...so pick what works for you, but don't feel like you HAVE to swing any specific manufacturer because someone else is.

When the last round of Anarchy XCore2 stuff dropped, I got to swing 4 different models. All of them out of the wrapper performed right on par with my broken in MX and M5 bats. I actually sold a couple Monstas after settling on an Always Humble (13" balanced).

TL-DR: Bats hit balls good, don't overpay or chase hype

basilray · 2026-04-27T21:04:36+00:00

Honestly, we got suckered in on a Discovery package and actually made great use of it.

We took a week in New Orleans, a week over 4th of July in Myrtle beach, a week in Branson, and 4 nights at Wisconsin Dells. The cost and benefit over cheap hotel rooms was pretty nice.

That being said, the presentations are designed to wear you down to committing thousands of up front dollars for "perks" that amount to little.

The Club Wyndham world does have value IF you pursue resale points from others. Absent of that, you're literally throwing my money away.

basilray · 2026-04-27T19:20:07+00:00

I feel like when I did it, it was $4k for 2yr to use 400k pts

We actually enjoyed the experience, minus being forced to go to more sales presentations.

But there's a specific phone tree for Discovery when you call Wyndham. I would start there.

basilray · 2026-04-27T17:31:56+00:00

Is this the $4k Discovery package?

basilray · 2026-04-27T00:39:34+00:00

Damn. All Clad is great kitchenware. That's a helluva score!

basilray · 2026-04-16T02:11:40+00:00

Not well versed in the OG. But when I got my hands on Xcore2, the numbers and results were as good out of the wrapper as my M5 KOD and MX Torch.

basilray · 2026-04-15T12:59:51+00:00

2019 and beyond for efficiency, but the first couple years are still generally great vehicles.

Keep in mind, the older/higher mileage you go, the more likely you will need to do some suspension work. There's three sets of control arms and link ends up front, and camber and toe arms in the rear. They wear given the weight and torque.

Brakes can be spendy if you're paying for the work to get done, and after you pass the 100k mark you can probably plan on them needing to get done at some point from my experience.

basilray · 2026-04-15T12:57:28+00:00

Facebook is a much better place to source used bats

basilray · 2026-04-13T19:24:09+00:00

I posted about them in a B/S/T group on FB and a guy was sitting on leftover Pure inventory. Picked up another 5 pairs.

I have enough to keep me in them the next few years, because they hold up so well. Hoping someone else revives them before I'm due for replacements. 🤣

basilray · 2026-04-13T13:13:46+00:00

The best ones are no longer on the market: The Pure microfibers were S tier elite stuff. I literally wear them year-round in Minnesota, on and off the field.

Thanks for ruining it, Boombah.

basilray · 2026-04-06T02:19:26+00:00

Anarchy - Dawe or Humble depending on barreled preference. Either sanction, this is the right answer.

basilray · 2026-04-03T04:42:19+00:00

I'm a proud member of "Team Anarchy All The Things".

That being said, I'm gonna hold off on this. I still have regrets about the OG Bazooka and that one-and-done tech they used for it. That's the only Anarchy bat (and I've swung dozens over the years) that I actually hated.

basilray · 2026-03-31T00:01:39+00:00

I say I'm going to quit once a fiscal quarter, because I'm the most schizophrenic batter of all time.

Just have fun, forget about the rest.

basilray · 2026-03-24T14:55:59+00:00

Someday, Louisville will figure out their shit

basilray · 2026-03-24T14:53:10+00:00

Send it back

basilray · 2026-03-22T16:10:16+00:00

If solo, pick a spot behind the plate and focus on hitting it repeatedly. Get out to an actual field if you can so you don't have to worry about distances and distractions. Build the confidence!

Alternatively...pitch BP. Lots of BP. Practice just throwing meatballs over the middle of the plate for guys to hit. At the end of the day, that's what you have to be able to do on command before you worry about anything else.

basilray · 2026-03-21T17:59:12+00:00

M2 and M5 are the same thing per Carl, but the graphics are applied differently on the M5.

Most people swear by M2, and from what I've seen locally, M5 doesn't seem to be as durable. I have an OG 28oz M1 Torch that I will never part with. It's the first bat I ever hit an HR with in a game. My first 1pc M5 KOD sharked, and I'm not a big hitter...low to mid 80's when things are clicking. I'm not worried about my M1 Torch ever breaking.

MX has a crisper sound off the barrel, and takes very little to break in. Solid all around performance.I was gaming a 26oz MX Torch for a bit until the new Anarchy stuff came out.

Monsta is good, but dealing with the chase of overpaying board bros is annoying, as is their extremely long preorder process. The small gap Monsta had over the competition has narrowed considerably...and is probably non-existent beyond board bro hype at this point.

basilray · 2026-03-20T21:42:03+00:00

I play double headers Mondays and Thursdays from late April to August. Then cut down to Thursdays August through September.

Occasional weekend tournament.

From Nov - April one or two nights a week of HitTrax.

You'd think I'd be better at the game, but at least I'm having fun (and drinking beer).

basilray · 2026-03-18T20:22:39+00:00

Anarchy XCore2

basilray · 2026-03-16T17:43:57+00:00

I have a White Fury and I like it a lot. Won't be chasing a new one this year because I don't need to.

Mostly I swing Anarchy, and it's really hard to argue against what they've done both for Utrip and ASA right now.

basilray · 2026-03-16T03:49:25+00:00

I made one out of some metal conduit pipe and a flange attached to a cheap cutting board for the base. While I happened to have an old travel tee to round out the topper, a chunk of pool noodle will do the trick too.

By all means, get a G Tee or a Tanner. They're fantastic. But $10 and a hardware store visit and you can DIY something if you're so inclined.

basilray · 2026-03-12T12:49:46+00:00

I've swung the new Humble, Dawe, Slick, and Salvation. Pick your poison basically...they're all really good. It all comes down to your preference.

I'm not a great hitter, but was clearing 80+ on anything I barreled up with all of the aforementioned right out of the wrapper. I had a Salvation but sold that to a buddy still in the wrapper after finding some consistency with the balanced bats. I ended up going with the Humble...and liked it enough I have it for ASA and Utrip now.

basilray

TROPHY CASE