The Easton brand name has been a recognizable force in the market of metal bats. The company has achieved many industry firsts, including the first titanium bat, scandium bat and the first bat with a carbon core.
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Their innovations over the last three decades and beyond have helped drive other companies in the business to continually redesign their bats with the same level of expertise and fervor as Easton.
The XL3 is a member of Easton’s expansive Power Brigade series. This lineup of bats features a stick for nearly every hitting archetype and every bat in the Power Brigade series benefits from Easton’s wide range of bat technologies.
These performance-enhancing features include innovations such as the Torq rotating handle, Hyperlite Matrix Alloy, TCT Thermo Composite Technology and many others.
Thus, no matter what member of the Power Brigade series you choose (the XL3 included), you can be assured that it will possess a whole arsenal of features to improve your game and make you a menace at the plate.
The Easton XL3 is available in two senior league sizes (- 8 and -5 length-to-weight ratios) and a youth league version (-11).
Easton XL3 Overview
Firstly, the XL3 is the Power Brigade Series’ bat designed with power hitters in mind. It is end loaded to improve power behind each batted ball, which increases distance to all parts of the field.
This end loaded swing weight may make the bat difficult to control through the strike zone, if you are not a strong power-hitting player.
If you have a more balanced, contact hitting approach to batting, you may want to look at the Easton S3 instead.
It is an ultra-lightweight bat, which has a balanced swing weight that every player can comfortably swing. If you are a power-hitting slugger, you will have no problem swinging the Easton XL3.
It is also worth noting that the senior league version has a drop 5 and drop 8 model. If the -5 length-to-weight ratio is too heavy, the -8 may be the ideal fit for your hitting performance.
Aside from its end loaded swing weight, the XL3 generates its power through its extra long barrel design, which is made from Easton’s Hyperlite Matrix Alloy (HMX).
Not only is this engineered alloy extra durable, but it imparts a tremendous trampoline effect on batted balls. You (and your opponents) will be pleasantly shocked at how far your hits will travel.
In addition, the elongated barrel design helps the XL3 reach every corner of the plate with ease. Your plate confidence will never be higher.
The one-piece construction of the Easton XL3 delivers the firm and solid feel that power hitters look for in a baseball bat. Plus, no energy is lost upon contact, so every drop of power goes directly into the ball.
To better control the bat during the actual swing, Easton introduced the HYPERSKIN Performance Grip to the XL3’s handle.
This super tacky grip will not allow your hands to accidently drift or slide as you swing the bat. Thus, the XL3 delivers solid and proper form on every swing.
As mentioned before, the Easton XL3 is available in three versions: youth, senior (-5) and senior (-8).
Easton XL3 Youth Baseball Bat
The youth version of the XL3 has a 2.25-inch barrel diameter and a length-to-weight ratio of -11. Typically, youth bats have a drop weight of 13, so even at the youth level, the XL3 is a heavy swinging bat.
It is available in sizes ranging from 29 to 31 inches (and weights 18 to 21 ounces). Despite being a youth bat, the XL3 maintains all of the same bat technologies as the grown-up senior league models, including the explosive HMX alloy.
Your child will have opponents ducking out of the way of their powerful line drives.
Thanks to the extra long barrel design, which is especially ideal for younger players trying to find the outside edge of the plate, your son or daughter will have all parts of the strike zone covered.
The Easton XL3 youth baseball bat is certified for use in Little League, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Pony and other major league associations for young players.
Easton 2015 SL15X35 XL3 ALUM 2 5/8-Inch -5 Senior League
The drop 5 senior league model of the Easton XL3 is the heaviest available version of the bat. This means it packs the most power behind its swings.
If you have the muscle to whip this bat through the strike zone, it is an excellent choice to add some distance to your senior league team’s hitting.
The senior league XL3 has a barrel diameter of 2.625 inches, which fits the guidelines of United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) standards; the USSSA is the governing body of most senior league softball teams.
Before purchasing the drop 5 senior league version of the XL3, it would be wise to test the bat out at a cage or pro shop.
Thus, you can be absolutely sure that you can handle its length-to-weight ratio and end load beforehand.
Easton Xl3 2 5/8
If the -5 length-to-weight ratio is a little too much for you, it may be best to change to its drop 8 twin.
These bats are identical in appearance, USSSA certification and features; only the weight ratio differs between them.
While the drop 8 XL3 senior league bat delivers less power through the zone, it may be offer better control.
Thus, it will be easier to connect with the ball squarely, which will ultimately allow you to get more solid hits and reach base often.
Conclusion
Overall, the Easton XL3 baseball bat is a great stick for a power hitter. Not only does it have performance-enhancing features, such as the HMX alloy and HYPERSKIN Performance Grip, but also it is affordable compared to similar bats on the market.
This makes it an ideal choice if you do not want to spend extra for the super high-end bats that cost over $300, but still want a bat with some pop.
The only potential drawback to the XL3 is that the elongated barrel takes some time getting used to.
However, once you have broken it in and you have a feel for the sweet spot, that long barrel design may be one of your favorite features of this bat.
