Rawlings Big Stick Elite Wood Bats

Picking a wood and a turn

Maple is the hardest and densest of the three, with the most pop and the least flex; it is what most pros swing. Birch starts harder than ash and compresses tighter than maple over time, and it flexes a little, so it whips through the zone and is more forgiving off the end. The maple/bamboo composite is the durable option for BP and wood-bat leagues that allow it.

On turns: the 110 is the balanced all-rounder with a 2.5" barrel, medium handle and traditional knob. The 271 is slightly end-loaded with a thinner 0.92" handle. The I13 is slightly end-loaded with a 0.94" handle and 2.56" barrel. The 243 is the power hitter's bat with a 2.56" barrel, thick handle, flared knob and a heavy end load. The I13T Torpedo shifts mass to the contact zone with a tapered tip.

Frequently asked questions

Which Big Stick Elite should a first-time wood hitter buy? The 110 in maple or birch. It is balanced, easy to control, and the profile most players end up sticking with.

Are these BBCOR legal? Solid one-piece maple and birch bats are wood bats and do not carry a BBCOR stamp; most high school and college wood-bat play allows them as-is. Check your league's rule on maple/bamboo composite bats, which are treated differently by some bodies.

What does the ink dot mean? Rawlings ink-dot tests the billet for slope of grain; the dot shows the bat met the straightness and hardness standard used for MLB-approved maple and birch.

What is the warranty on a wood bat? 120 days from Rawlings, the same on every turn including the Torpedo, so trying a new shape is not a gamble. Keep your CheapBats order confirmation.