The 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR was a new release last year, and it was expected to do well in terms of sales.
Trumpeted as the first composite BBCOR bat from Rawlings, this break from the focus on aluminum instead exceeded expectations and became a breakout success.
In just a very short time, the Quatro made up about 25% of the Rawlings BBCOR bat sales.
This 2018 BBCOR bat is expected to do the same.
Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The name Quatro came about because Rawlings already had 3 distinctive lines of BBCOR bats in its lineup. Quatro therefore became the 4th, and it marks a break from tradition with its use of a composite design.
The main issue Rawlings had with composite BBCOR bats is its tendency to perform “hotter” than what the regulations allow.
The BBCOR rules say that all the bats must stay within the 0.50 limit, and this must be for the whole life of the bat.
The problem with composites is that they tend to break down very quickly unlike one with an alloy barrel. So in as little time as just a month, the composite material can turn a bat so hot that it no longer complies with BBCOR regulations.
However, the Rawlings research and development teams weren’t exactly idle in their experiments and studies on composites, and now their years of study and effort have borne fruit.
They’ve developed the proper technologies to ensure that Rawlings was able to release a composite bat that wouldn’t harm the Rawlings reputation.
The 2018 Rawlings Baseball Bat Lineup Including The Quatro
Features of the 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR Baseball Bat
The Quatro became so famous in its initial launch that it actually acquired the nickname “Glowstick”.
This wasn’t just because of its bright neon green color, but for its almost lightsaber-like performance.
Here are some attributes of the 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR that even Darth Vader would call impressive:
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This is a baseball bat made for high school and college athletes, along with other adult players.
More specifically, the user in mind when it was designed was a contact hitter in the middle of the order who preferred or who could at least handle a bat with a longer barrel.
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The 2018 Rawlings Quatro BB8Q3 comes with all the standard attributes that make it legal to use in your BBCOR league.
It offers a drop -3 length-to-weight ratio, a standard barrel diameter of 2 5/8 inches, and most importantly a BBCOR sticker certifying its eligibility for high school and college play.
There are, however, other Quatro versions with drop -10 ratios Little League players.
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After a lot of extensive research, Rawlings baseball finally came up with its own special mix of carbon fiber and resin blend. This is the material used to extend the length of the barrel.
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The design involves the use of a stiff inner barrel wrapped within a flexible outer shell. The inner barrel acts as the solid mass foundation, while the outer barrel functions like a trampoline.
Its effects have been noted even by high school players, who don’t face pitches as fast as what’s more common in the college level.
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The extended barrel doesn’t really add to the weight too much. That’s because of the light weight end cap.
Its new design reduces the unnecessary weight at the end of the barrel. The swing weight is actually balanced instead of end-loaded.
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Then there is also the innovative hinge system in the 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR that’s currently awaiting a patent. This hinge that joins the barrel to the handle acts as a collar that dampens vibrations.
With this connecting joint, the outer shell doesn’t actually come into direct contact with the handle at all.
Instead, in the middle there’s a silicon urethane material that dampens the vibration coming from the barrel into the handle.
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There’s also the Tru-View technology. This is basically a long strip that goes right along the length of the bat barrel.
It’s like a window showing you the composite material in the interior of the bat. This may seem like window-dressing, similar to how mechanical watches feature transparent case backs to show the movement inside.
But the window authenticates the construction. It’s not just a “cool” feature looks-wise, but it also makes you feel confident that you’re using a genuinely high-tech bat.
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It’s also made in the US. This may be of undue importance to traditionalists, but there’s also a practical reason for it.
The main problem with some non-USA manufacturing is that the quality control standards aren’t quite as strict.
Design of the 2018 Rawlings quatro BB8Q3
State of the Art Technology
Video: Baseball 101: How To Choose A Bat
Pros of the Rawlings Quatro
Here’s a list of the most important advantages of the new 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR with its composite material and longer barrel.
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It’s a composite bat with a longer barrel, but you can be absolutely certain that it complies with BBCOR regulations.
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This thing is hot right out of the box. There’s no absolute need to break in it first before you can use it for a game.
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The longer length of the bat allows you to reach the pitches on the outside more easily without having to reach awkwardly.
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A longer bat also means a longer sweet spot. This is the spot where you want the baseball to make contact with the bat.
It’s where the hitting results are optimal and the vibrations are minimal. If your sweet spot is low, you may just foul off or pop up the ball for an easy out and you even hurt your hands with the vibrations.
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The two-piece construction and the use of the hinge collar also dampen a lot of the vibration coming from the barrel to the handle (and then to your hands).
Vibrations can be rather discouraging for players, since a swing and making contact can result in a lot of pain.
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The balanced weight is great for contact hitters, since it’s a lot easier to swing compared to an end-loaded bat.
That’s especially true for smaller players. It’s also easier to swing because of the flex. It can speed up the bat barrel after contact with the baseball.
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The material really pops with its vaunted trampoline. That’s why it’s great for hitters in the middle of the lineup.
The baseball just bounces very well and travels faster and much farther. This means that if you have teammates in scoring position, you’re more likely to get them home.
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It looks great too, especially with the bright color and the Tru-View. This may not seem like a real advantage, but with high school and college players, it actually is important.
You want players to like their equipment and admire the way it looks.
The coolness factor is actually a bid deal at this age, and it helps them gain even more confidence at the plate.
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This is also US-made, which means it’s unlikely that you’ll get a defective bat when it’s delivered. The Rawlings brand also has good customer support, and you do enjoy a full 1-year warranty.
Vibration…Or The Lack Thereof!
Cons of This -3 Length To Weight Ratio Baseball Bat
Perfection isn’t exactly fair to expect from any consumer item, so the Quatro does some minor issues.
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One issue is the price, which reflects its premium top-of-the-line status. This isn’t exactly cheap, so it’s not really ideal for newbies who are just trying out the sport.
This is a problem for parents who have several kids who play baseball. It can cost a fortune buying all your kids these Quatro bats.
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Another problem with the 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR is that, like other composite bats, it doesn’t give you that familiar “ping” sound that you get with hard contact with a baseball.
Instead, the sound is more like a “pop” and it’s somewhat less resonant.
It’s not as satisfying. Some players even think the force isn’t as strong because of the sound, even though the reality is that the ball travelled farther with the composite.
Conclusion of This Rawlings BB8Q3
The first Quatro was a real success, and the 2018 Rawlings Quatro is even better. The main change was in the design of the end cap so the weight distribution was even better for the longer barrel.
These attributes allow you a bigger chance of making contact, so you can leg it to first base. With people on base, you can advance a runner or get them home.
Of course, you also feel better with this bat.
It’s much easier to control and swing, so you can really target the pitch. It also blessedly protects your hands from the nasty vibrations caused by hitting out of the sweet spot.
That can give you the confidence you need to take a swing.
The first Glowstick as good, but the 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR is even better.
If you have a kid playing baseball in high school or college, then this is a great option for contact hitters. It looks cool too.
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