The 2015 Louisville Slugger XENO -11 is the latest version of the popular Xeno line, which has long been a staple in high school and college games.
With the 2015 edition, the company claims that the bat is better than ever and that it will take your game to another level. Does it hold up in actual tests?
Features
Basically what this does is it allows barrel tuning to the point that it can go past the legal ball exit speed ratio, but a governor in the bat lets the barrel flex up to the optimum possible performance level.
The Xeno bat also uses composite technology, but what makes this different is there’s absolutely no need for a break-in, something that other bats cannot offer.
in the picture: 2015 Louisville Slugger XENO -11
The Xeno also has a unique iST design that provides the bat with stability, and the length to weight ratio is just right.
The handle is 7/8 inch, which is the standard, and it has been certified for use in the ISF, ISA, NSA, USSSA and ASA.
Of course all of these features won’t mean a thing if the bat doesn’t handle well or lacks power, but fortunately the Slugger passes both those tests.
- 100% composite design
- IST technology - 2-piece bat construction
- S1iD barrel technology
- Balanced swing weight
- 7/8" standard handle
Ease of Use
The first thing you’ll notice is that the Slugger has a powerful swing, and just as its manufacturer pointed out, you get maximum power when you swing the bat even for the first time.
A frequent complaint with many of these bats is that it takes several swings before you can reach the maximum potential, but the 2015 Xeno is an exception to the rule because as indicated, there’s no need for a break-in.
Another thing you’ll notice with the bat is that there’s no disconnect between the bat and handle, so it feels solid.
If you’ve been playing the game a while, you will immediately notice the difference if the handle and bat aren’t attached properly.
Fortunately that isn’t going to be a problem here since the iST design ensures the connection between the two is solid.
Of course what it all comes down to is the sweet spot, and the 2015 Xeno has plenty of it.
To put it bluntly the bat has a very generous sweet spot so when you hit the ball chances are very good it is going to fly. But what really takes the cake is the fact that the Xeno is still light and easy on your hands.
Vibration has also been taken care of in this bat. If you swing a softball or baseball bat frequently enough, you’re going to feel the vibration and in many cases it is very jarring and could affect your whole game.
There’s nothing like that here, and that’s in large part due to its design. If you’re worried about the unpleasant sensation that comes from mis-hit balls, you can put that to rest here as it’s practically nonexistent.
Apart from giving you a lot of power, the bat also has a solid grip, and that’s just as important because a loose grip isn’t going to help you hit the ball properly.
However, the Xeno handle feels good in your hands and it also helps that it has a 7/8 handle. In other words, there’s no need to worry about losing grip of the bat because it’s designed to prevent exactly that.
The bat is also finely balanced and overall it’s very flexible and forgiving. If you can take the bat apart (which you shouldn’t), you’ll see that it has an aluminum inner disc that makes it more flexible and forgiving.
Pros
The Louisville Slugger Xeno 2015 has a lot going for it:
- The bat has a powerful pop
- Finely balanced
- Very wide sweet spot
- Very durable
- Has a 12 month warranty
Cons
This is a great bat, but no product is perfect.
- Costs a bit more than the typical softball bat
- Might be too powerful for little girls
What Customers Say
Louisville Slugger Fastpitch bats have received many positive reviews, and the 2015 Xeno is no exception.
Jane of Maine says the following:
- Really great bat. I bought one for my daughter who plays softball a lot and she is very happy with it. I’ve tried the bat myself and it’s really got a solid pop. My daughter is very satisfied and so am I.
Morgan of New Orleans also posted a positive review:
- What I like about this bat is it doesn’t produce vibrations the way my kid’s previous bat did. Definitely worth the money.
Alicia of Los Angeles also gives a positive feedback:
- I love this bat! My previous one took a long time before I was able to hit it to the maximum level, and even then it wasn’t that powerful at all. With the Xeno I was able to hit the ball right the first time thanks to the sweet spot, which is just big!
Amanda of Orlando, Florida says the following:
- The bat has a very solid pop and is finely balanced. Feels really good and I highly recommend it. Great for practice and also for playing lots of softball.
Based on these reviews, the general consensus is that the bat is as powerful as advertised and is dependable.
What you’ll also notice in the reviews is that there are no complaints concerning vibrations, which goes to show how effective the bat is.
Conclusion on This 2015 Louisville Slugger XENO -11
It doesn’t just look sharp, as it really is, and as reviewers have pointed out, this is built for long term use.
This company has always been known for manufacturing high quality baseball and softball bats and clearly, this is no exception.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API