2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA Baseball Bat Review

The new standards for bats have some people confused as to what they ought to use, but Little League players can just opt to use this 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA.

It’s absolutely legal to use, and it has the stamp on its barrel to prove it.

But then it’s just one of the many legal bats available in the market today. So what makes this one any different?

The truth is that it’s not just different from many others. It’s actually superior for certain types of hitters.

Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Features of This 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA

Of course, for many players and parents the issue of what’s legal to use in various baseball leagues is often a matter of utmost concern.

That’s especially true for 2018 with the new rules concerning Little League junior play.

A new set of standards has been implemented, and of course not every one of us can understand the technical details.

However, there’s a shortcut in figuring out whether a bat is legal to use or not.

You only need to check if it has the new USABat stamp on the bat and you’re good to go.

When it’s your turn to hit and the umpire checks your bat, you can just show them the stamp and you’re ready.

How Big is the Barrel?

This bat has a barrel diameter that measures 2 5/8 inches, though that’s mostly at the top end of the bat.

At the very end of the bat you have the SBC End Cap.

This Speed Ballistic Cap is a new tech from Louisville Slugger, and its works to provide the lowest MOI (Moment of Inertia) and the quickest swing speed in the whole LS baseball bat range.

You may also have noticed that this comes with a -11 drop ratio. It’s available in sizes ranging from 28 inches long (17 ounces) to 32 inches (21 ounces).

This Bat is Confirmed USA Eligible

Most bats with the USABat stamp come with a -10 drop, and this gives you an advantage over them.

Basically, you can find the bat with just the right weight for you, and your bat gets an extra inch in length.

That extra length can help you reach pitches on the outside more easily.

This is actually legal, because the new standards don’t really have weight drop restrictions.

This is a 1-piece bat, and it uses SL Hyper alloy.

This gives you a much stiffer feel and it ensures that when you take a swing it results in the greatest amount of energy transfer upon making contact with the baseball.

It doesn’t have much of a give, so all that energy goes back to the ball and it will take off hard and fast when you hit the ball.

Comfort also matters when you’re holding the bat the plate.

You don’t want anything to distract you from that difficult job of hitting a round ball with a round bat.

But at least this time you have the new custom premium Lizard Skins grip that makes sure you have a nicely cushioned and secured hold on the handle.

Video: Pros and Cons of the 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA Bat

Pros of this 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA Baseball Bat

Of course the most important thing here is that it’s legal to use. You can use this for every USA baseball-sanctioned league, and that includes Little League and Pony league.

You also have Dixie Youth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball, the American Amateur Baseball Congress, and the Babe Ruth League.

Parents will also like the fact that this comes with a very reasonable price.

A year or two ago the prices of the best bats were approaching unrealistically exorbitant levels, and it’s great that a bat like this isn’t too expensive.

Why Is This Bat Affordable?

Part of the reason for the affordable price is that it has a 1-piece design.

However, this isn’t just about price.

The one-piece construction gives you the stiffer feel that you may be looking for in a bat.

That rigidity helps ensure that when you make contact with the baseball, you generate the maximum force that will propel the ball like a bat out of hell.

Of course, a lot of that power comes from the fact that this is among the fastest bats you will ever swing.

That’s the natural result of the -11 drop ratio. It’s just so lightweight that younger kids can easily get used to the weight.

You’ll be able to control it better too, since it’s not too heavy.

Also, you can generate the bat speed quickly, so you’re not more likely to swing after the fastball has gone past the strike zone.

The Weight of this Bat

You can also regard this as a longer bat. Many players first pick a bat by its weight.

When you find the 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA baseball bat in the most comfortable weight, you’ll then find that it’s an inch longer than your usual bat.

With that extra inch on the bat, you’re thus more likely to reach pitches on the outside part of the plate.

There’s another well-known bat in the USABat category with a -11 drop ratio, and it’s notorious for its rather painful stings for your hands.

That happens when you hit the ball out of the sweet spot and the vibrations travel unimpeded through the 1-piece bat. This time, somehow the sting and the power of the vibrations aren’t as bad.

This Bats Grip

No doubt the Lizard Skins grip on the handle helps too. It can boost your confidence at the plate when you’re feeling super-comfortable grasping the bat in your hands.

It also provides you with the secure grip you need.

Finally, the bat looks nice. The 618 Solo model name is prominently on the handle, along with the Louisville brand and the USA Bat stamp.

Cons of the 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 WTLUBS618B11

There’s nothing really wrong about the 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 WTLUBS618B11.

It’s just that in some ways it’s a bit ordinary. The size of the sweet spot is a good example of that. There’s really nothing special about it.

It does have a sweet spot, but then so do all the other baseball bats.

With an ordinary sweet spot, this means that you’ll get your share of contact wherein the ball hits outside the sweet spot.

This means that the ball won’t fly out of the bat with maximum energy, and there may be some vibrations too.

The barrel shape is also somewhat different.

It is true that this 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA bat technically has a 2 5/8-inch barrel diameter.

Verdict of this 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA Bat

The lighter and faster swing of this bat is fantastic, as it gives you a chance to generate speed and power when you take a swing.

It also means you can catch up to fast balls more frequently.

The longer barrel also gives you an advantage.

It allows you to swing at balls that are on the outside (or even past the outside) part of the plate.

Many kids will also love the significant lack of sting they get on their hands when they mishit the ball.

That means players can take a swing without worrying they’ll be physically punished when the make a mistake.

The 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 -11 USA gives you the confidence you need to swing away, and you’ll find that with this bat you’re actually a more effective hitter.