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Expert guides, testing insights, and practical advice to help players understand bat performance, compare constructions, and choose the right bat for their swing.
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Ratings you can actually trust
GameChanger Bat Lab’s Rating Methodology takes the guesswork out of baseball and softball bat comparison shopping. Our ratings are calculated using data from the swings of middle school and high school-aged athletes. The metrics we collect from Trackman and Blast Motion are then aggregated by our team of expert data scientists. No subjectivity. No manufacturer influence. Only real data, to help you select the best bat for you.
Every bat earns its score the same way
Frequently asked questions
GameChanger Bat Lab is operated by GameChanger, a DICK’S Sporting Goods company. Bat Lab may link to DICK’S Sporting Goods product pages, and GameChanger and/or DICK’S Sporting Goods may receive revenue, referral value, or other business benefit from purchases made through those links. Bat Lab ratings are not pay-to-play. Bat manufacturers cannot pay to influence our ratings, and each bat is evaluated using the same testing methodology.
Bat Lab is different because our ratings are built on real athlete testing and instrumented data — not one person’s opinion. We use tools like TrackMan and Blast Motion to measure ball flight, swing metrics, and player feedback across bats, then turn those inputs into clear ratings and recommendations. That helps players, parents, and coaches compare bats more objectively and find the right bat for their swing.
BBCOR bats are tested by high school and college-aged baseball players. USSSA bats are tested by baseball players aged 10u to 13u. Softball bats are tested by high school, collegiate, and professional softball players. The data collected reflects real swings from real athletes competing at the levels these bats are designed to serve.
We host multiple Bat Lab bat testing events each year, throughout the country. Email BatLab@gc.com with the subject: “Bat Lab Testing Inquiry + [Your Age] + [Bat Drop]” for more information.
