Rawlings Power Forge bat?

Between the Rawlings and the Easton Redline, people I have talked to, including high school and college coaches, say the Redline is the best bat money can buy. The indoor facility we use has the Easton Reflex and other bats that can be used in the cages, but so far they haven't gotten any Redline bats for use. Before I spend $160 for a bat that my son may outgrow in one or two seasons, I'll have to use it first.

I have to disagree with those who say that using these "power" bats distract from the game. People said the same thing when the aluminum bat was first introduced. Not too many of us would want to go back to wood. I realize some would, but for the most part we feel aluminum is here to stay. Are they dangerous, perhaps. The pitcher probably faces the biggest danger, but in the last five years I have only seen one youth pitcher during any of our games hit by a batted ball. If that one boy had been hurt (fortunately he wasn't), that would have been one too many. However, I have seen a lot of boys hurt while sliding. I don't want to see any youth hurt, but we certainly aren't going to tell the boys to stop sliding.

In regards to it being more important to teach the proper mechanics rather than improving the hardware, I agree 100%. If the Redline turns out to be the most powerful bat ever created, the ball won't go anywhere if the batter keeps stepping in the bucket, turning his head, doesn't learn the strike zone, doesn't use a full hip rotation, etc. Will the ball go farther when hit solidly, cerainly. I would have no problem if all leagues used some sort of restricted bat, but until that happens I guess it is every team for themselves. One thing that is unfortunate about equipment that continues to get more and more expsenive, is that a team that does not have much money cannot afford to "keep up with Jone's". Two teams equally coached, with equal talent; but if one has all of the latest toys and the other doesn't; the odds fall heavily to the side of the team with the toys.