Short version: four new BBCOR bats arrived in October, and none of them is the usual two-piece composite. Combat MFG's limited-edition Steel Horses series brings a one-piece alloy (Red Rider Spec-A1, $349.99) and a two-piece hybrid (Shadow Rider Spec-H1, $399.99). DeMarini's Velvet Thunder D38 and D54 ($299.95) are maple bats with a composite rod inside, BBCOR certified and Perfect Game approved, so one bat covers wood-bat tournaments and the high school season.
The four bats side by side
| Bat | Construction | Swing weight | Sizes | Legal for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Steel Horses Red Rider Spec-A1 (CBB7A1RR3) | One-piece alloy | Balanced | 31", 32", 33" | BBCOR | $349.99 |
| Combat Steel Horses Shadow Rider Spec-H1 (CBB7H1SH3) | Two-piece hybrid (alloy barrel, composite handle) | Slight end-load | 32", 33" | BBCOR | $399.99 |
| DeMarini Velvet Thunder D38 (WBD2725010) | Pro Maple over internal composite rod | Mid-load | 31" – 34" | BBCOR, Perfect Game | $299.95 |
| DeMarini Velvet Thunder D54 (WBD2724010) | Pro Maple over internal composite rod | End-load | 31" – 34" | BBCOR, Perfect Game | $299.95 |
All four are 2⅝" barrels with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. The Combat bats are a limited run and are excluded from discounts and promotions.
Combat MFG Steel Horses: a motorcycle-themed limited edition
Combat's Steel Horses drop is a graphics series built on two of its existing BBCOR platforms, the Spec-A1 and Spec-H1, with a biker theme: the Red Rider in red-and-cream paint ("Firing on All Cylinders" across the barrel) and the Shadow Rider in black ("Forged at Full Throttle"). Performance is the standard Spec-A1 and Spec-H1; the premium is for the look and the limited run.
Red Rider Spec-A1: the one-piece alloy
- SFX barrel. Combat's alloy process produces a longer barrel and larger sweet spot than a typical one-piece alloy.
- Balanced swing weight. Built for bat speed. A good fit for contact hitters and anyone moving up from a -5 or -8 who wants the lightest-swinging -3 possible.
- Stiff feel, some forgiveness. Combat claims two-piece-like forgiveness from a one-piece. Expect more feedback than a hybrid on mishits, but less than a bare-bones alloy.
- No break-in. Game-ready out of the wrapper, and usable in cold weather.
Shadow Rider Spec-H1: the two-piece hybrid
- Alloy barrel, composite handle. You keep the alloy barrel's no-break-in, cold-weather durability and get a composite handle that soaks up sting.
- Slight end-load. A touch more mass toward the end cap for power hitters who want the barrel to do some work.
- Sizes. 32" and 33" only, which covers most varsity hitters.
Both ship with Combat's Clinch Spec grip, and both are loud. If you've heard a Combat alloy in a cage, you know.
DeMarini Velvet Thunder: wood sound, composite backbone
The Velvet Thunder is DeMarini's answer to a specific problem: a high school hitter who plays wood-bat tournaments in the summer and BBCOR in the spring usually needs two bats. The Velvet Thunder is a Pro Maple barrel with a one-piece composite rod running through the core, which makes it durable enough to carry both a BBCOR stamp and Perfect Game wood-bat approval.
- Pro Maple exterior. True wood crack on contact. It looks and sounds like a wood bat because the outside is one.
- Internal composite rod. Reinforces the barrel so it doesn't break like solid maple, and lets DeMarini back it with a one-year, one-time warranty replacement. Solid wood bats carry no warranty.
- Full-width barrel profile. The barrel holds its diameter to the end cap, so the sweet spot is larger than a traditional wood turning model.
- Textured, tapered handle. A matte topcoat for grip without tape.
D38 vs. D54
Same bat, two balance points. The D38 (satin red) is mid-loaded: quicker through the zone, the better all-around choice. The D54 (glossy purple) is end-loaded: more barrel mass for hitters who drive the ball and don't need help with bat speed. Both run 31"–34" at $299.95.
Which one fits your hitter?
- Plays wood-bat tournaments and BBCOR, wants one bat: Velvet Thunder D38 for most hitters, D54 for power hitters.
- Wants the lightest-swinging -3 and plays in cold spring weather: Red Rider Spec-A1.
- Power hitter who wants an alloy barrel without hand sting: Shadow Rider Spec-H1.
- Wants a bat nobody else on the team will have: either Steel Horses. It's a limited run.
- Prefers a full two-piece composite: none of these. See our Rawlings Icon, Marucci Rckless or Louisville Slugger Atlas posts.
Not sure about BBCOR versus USSSA, or what a -3 means for a 14-year-old? Start with our baseball bat buying guide and length and drop weight guide.
Break-in and care
None of these four needs a break-in. The Combat alloys and the Velvet Thunder's maple barrel are at full performance from the first swing. Treat the Velvet Thunder like a wood bat: hit with the label facing up or down so contact is on the edge grain, and keep it away from dimpled cage balls. Details in how to break in a bat.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DeMarini Velvet Thunder legal in high school baseball?
Yes. Both the D38 and D54 carry the BBCOR .50 certification mark, which makes them legal for NFHS high school and NCAA play. They are also approved for Perfect Game wood-bat events.
What is the difference between the Velvet Thunder D38 and D54?
Construction is identical. The D38 is mid-loaded and finished in satin red; the D54 is end-loaded and finished in glossy purple. Both are $299.95 in 31" to 34".
Is the Velvet Thunder a wood bat or a composite bat?
Both. The barrel exterior is Pro Maple wood, and a one-piece composite rod runs through the core for durability. That construction is why it carries a BBCOR stamp and a one-year warranty, which solid wood bats do not.
What is the difference between the Combat Spec-A1 and Spec-H1?
The Spec-A1 is a one-piece alloy with a balanced swing weight. The Spec-H1 is a two-piece hybrid with an alloy barrel, a composite handle and a slight end-load. In the Steel Horses series the Spec-A1 is the Red Rider ($349.99) and the Spec-H1 is the Shadow Rider ($399.99).
Do the Combat Steel Horses bats need to be broken in?
No. Both have alloy barrels, which perform at full strength from the first swing and can be used in cold weather.
Are the Combat Steel Horses bats a limited edition?
Yes. Steel Horses is a limited graphics series on Combat's Spec-A1 and Spec-H1 BBCOR platforms, and it is excluded from discounts and promotions.
Direct Sports has sold bats from Pearisburg, Virginia since 1988 and is an authorized Combat and DeMarini dealer. Shop all BBCOR bats, wood baseball bats and Combat baseball bats, or email us with your player's age, size and league.
