Marucci bats for softball are not as famous as their baseball bat counterparts, but that perception may change with the arrival of the 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect.
Marucci hasn’t released a new softball bat for some time now, so it’s understandable if some fans may have thought that they’ve neglected the niche in favor of baseball.
But as it turns out, it’s not really true.
Instead, Marucci has made good use of the last 2 years trying to come up with a new and improved design for their latest fastpitch softball bat.
They’ve put in new technology for fans and of course they’ve maintained their exceptional sense of craftsmanship.
The drop 10 has a lot of fans as well but some people prefer the Easton Ghost -10.
The drop is the only difference (even the color designs are the same) so it makes sense to write a single 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect fastpitch softball bat for all the variants.
Marucci Cat fx Connect -11
Marucci Cat bfx Connect -10Marucci Cat fx Connect -9
Features of the 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect
These come with a rather subtle color design with white, gray, and blue colors.
It’s not dramatic or anything, so it doesn’t seem as expensive as it actually is.
But while it may not be expensive-looking, your money does give you certain features that you may approve of.
Though the different models have varying drop ratios, they all have the same 2 1/4-inch diameter for the barrel.
All of these models are also approved for play in ASA, USSSA, & ISA.
These models also have a balanced swing weight to provide better control for batters.
It doesn’t feel like you’re wielding a hammer when it’s you’re turn to hit.
The design uses a 2-piece construct, and it uses composite material for the barrel.
The 2 pieces are connected with “ring free” barrel technology that makes sure you don’t get any sort of dead spots in the barrel. If you make contact, the ball will travel.
This comes with the innovative Shock Dissipating Connection (SDX) technology. What this feature does it to eliminate the stinging vibrations completely.
This gives you supreme confidence when you hit, and when you make contact you get that solid feeling that every batter appreciates.
This Marucci 2018 CAT FX Connect comes with the maximum allowed barrel length, so you also get the maximum size for your sweet spot.
This is the area of the barrel which offers the most pop when you make contact, and it’s also the area that doesn’t result in stinging vibrations travelling through the length of the bat.
Another feature that keeps the sting away is the “sting free” comfort knob.
It is quite ergonomic, which boosts your ability to control the bat as you take a swing. It also makes it more comfortable to hold and swing in your hands.
Over the knob, the custom grip comes with micro-perforations to offer a better hold, and it also has a “soft touch” feature so it feels nice when you hold the handle.
This also comes with extra tack so you’re more secure swinging without feeling too anxious that you’ll lose your grip.
These bats have all been made with meticulous care.
They’re not produced from some sort of assembly line. Instead, they’ve each been carefully crafted each single bat by hand, with the exacting standards and expert eyes that the Marucci craftsmen are noted for.
2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect Fastpitch Softball Bat Construction
Marucci 2018 CAT FX Connect Sweet Spot and Comfort Knob
Marucci Softball: CATFX Fastpitch Bat Line
Pros of the 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect Fastpitch Bat
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to just buy this 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect fastpitch bat model for softball.
They’re legal and certified to use for ASA, USSSA, & ISA, so you won’t have to worry whether or not you’re complying with league rules.
It offers a large sweet spot so you have a better chance of really walloping the softball into the field. That large sweet spot also reduces the chances of stinging vibrations when the contact is off the sweet spot.
The pop is certainly premium in quality, so that when you make contact you can really make the softball fly.
You won’t have dead spots to worry about and every time you make contact it offers this solid feeling that feels really good.
You won’t really have to worry about stinging vibrations, as even times of contact off the sweet spot aren’t troublesome. The stinging vibrations are all basically eliminated with the various technologies that this bat has.
It is very comfortable to wield in your hands, as the grip makes you utterly confident and comfortable as well.
It’s like the handle has been made to specifically fit your grip and the size of your hands.
The balanced weight is certainly great for contact hitters, as this offers a greater level of control over the bat. Swing the bat and it will go where you want it to.
The bat is also extremely durable, so that there’s no concern that it won’t last the season.
Cons of the 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect
No bat is perfect for everyone, and that includes this one. So let’s admit that there are some potential drawbacks here.
The first drawback is if you’re a power hitter. You may wish for an end-loaded bat instead, but that’s not the design of this bat.
It’s more like a drumstick rather than a hammer when it comes to the weight distribution, so you don’t have much force to work with.
As you’ve probably realized by now, this bat is more about control rather than uninhibited power. It offers a lot of pop, but only in terms of contact hitting.
The other main drawback is the price. It can be quite expensive on average, though some of the shorter bats may be much more affordable.
But that’s because you’re getting handcrafted bats made with exacting expertise, by a brand long known for the quality of their equipment.
You really do get what you pay for. It’s just at these prices it’s not a bat for a casual player who likes to play just every now and then.
This is for a more dedicated player, and this 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect counts as a significant investment.
Conclusion on the 2018 Marucci CAT FX Connect Bats
Players say they absolutely love the pop and they are raving about the color scheme design as well.
Some are even saying it’s by far the best fastpitch bat in 2018.
I’ve read of one parent saying there’s no better bat period. Wow!
You get what you pay for and if you’ve saved up for an awesome bat this season then consider the 2018 Marucci Cat FX Connect bat.