If you’re looking for a reliable and powerful fastpitch softball bat for a young player, I highly recommend the Rawlings 2023 Mantra+.

Pros and Cons

What We Liked

1. ULTIMATE POWER: The precision-molded inner barrel combined with a lower flex outer barrel delivers maximum pop with every swing. It’s truly impressive to see the ball soar off the bat.
2. UPGRADED FEEL: The new PowerSync connection joint significantly reduces vibration, ensuring that all the energy from your swing is transferred directly into the barrel. You’ll feel less sting and more solid hits.
3. INCREASED DURABILITY: The strong 2-Piece Composite design, featuring a fused handle, collar, and barrel, guarantees that this bat will perform at its best for many games to come.
4. FASTER SWING SPEEDS: The high-quality carbon composite material allows for a quick and smooth swing path. Your young player will be able to generate more bat speed, improving their performance at the plate.
5. BLAST SOFTBALL SWING ANALYZER: If you’re into swing analysis, this bat is compatible with a removable swing analysis sensor (sold separately), making it easy to track and improve your swing mechanics.

What Can Be Improved

1. The bat may require a longer break-in period compared to other brands. Some hitters reported that it took a while for the bat to reach its full potential.
2. The balance of the bat is slightly loaded towards the tip, which can take some adjustment for players used to a more balanced feel.

Quick Verdict

I’ve had the opportunity to use the Rawlings 2023 Mantra+ with my daughter, and it has exceeded our expectations. The bat delivers incredible power and the upgraded feel is noticeable. The durability is impressive, as it has held up well after many games. The increased swing speeds have resulted in better performance for my daughter at the plate. Despite the bat requiring a longer break-in period and the different balance, it is an excellent investment for any young player looking to improve their game.

Click here to check out the Rawlings 2023 Mantra+ on Amazon.

Unboxing – What’s Inside?

I recently purchased the Rawlings Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat from Amazon. Living in the USA, I ordered this bat online and it was delivered within a few days. The package arrived in good condition and upon opening it, I found the following items:

• One (1) Rawlings Fastpitch Softball Bat

Specifications

The specifications of the Rawlings Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat are as follows:

• Date First Available: February 1, 2023
• Grip Type: Standard
• Grip Size: Standard
• Grip Material: Standard
• Model Year: 2023
• Part Number: RFP3MP11-29
• Manufacturer: Rawlings
• Suggested Users: Fastpitch Softball Bats
• Model Name: MANTRA+
• Warranty Description: 1 Yr. MFG Limited
• Brand Name: Rawlings
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 29.8 x 3 x 2.8 inches
• Package Weight: 0.52 Kilograms
• Item Package Dimensions L x W x H: 29.06 x 2.18 x 2.18 inches
• Age Range (Description): Adult
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Item Weight: 18 Ounces
• Handle Material: Carbon Fiber
• Color: Mantra+
• Material: Composite
• Sport: Softball
• Size: 29 | -11

Documentation/ User Guide

The included user guide provided valuable information on how to properly handle and use the Rawlings Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat. It explained the specific features of the bat and provided tips on how to enhance performance. The user guide also included maintenance instructions to ensure the longevity of the bat. You can find the full user guide here.

Features – What We Found

Ultimate Power

The Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat offers ultimate power with its precision-molded inner barrel and lower flex outer barrel. This design allows for maximum pop with every swing, giving players the ability to hit the ball with great force. Whether you’re trying to hit a home run or simply get a solid hit, this bat will help you achieve your power-hitting goals.

Pro-tip: To maximize the power generated with this bat, focus on your swing technique and try to generate as much bat speed as possible. This will further enhance the pop and distance you can achieve with each swing.

Upgraded Feel

The PowerSync connection joint of the Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat significantly reduces vibration while transferring all the energy from your swing directly into the barrel. This upgraded feel ensures that you have a more comfortable and controlled swing, allowing you to focus on making solid contact with the ball. With reduced vibrations, you can swing confidently knowing that the bat will not cause discomfort or hand fatigue.

Pro-tip: When using this bat, pay attention to the feedback you get from each swing. A smooth, vibration-free swing is an indicator of a well-hit ball. Use this feedback to make adjustments to your swing and improve your overall hitting performance.

Increased Durability

The strong 2-piece composite design of the Mantra+ bat features a fused handle, collar, and barrel, ensuring increased durability. This bat is built to withstand the demands of multiple at-bats, season after season. Its construction provides the necessary strength and durability to deliver consistent performance, game after game.

Pro-tip: To prolong the lifespan of your bat, make sure to properly care for it. Avoid using it in extremely cold temperatures and limit its use in extreme heat. Additionally, regularly inspect the bat for any signs of wear or damage, and address them promptly to prevent further issues.

Faster Swing Speeds

The high-quality carbon composite material used in the construction of the Mantra+ bat allows for a quick and smooth swing path. This lightweight material enables players to generate faster swing speeds, giving them a competitive advantage when facing pitchers with challenging velocities. The bat’s design also helps maintain control throughout the swing, allowing players to make precise contact with the ball.

Pro-tip: To further enhance your swing speed, focus on developing your bat speed through strength training exercises and proper mechanics. A faster swing speed can make it more difficult for opposing pitchers to throw pitches by you and increase the likelihood of making solid contact with the ball.

Blast Softball Swing Analyzer Compatibility

The Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat is compatible with the Blast Softball Swing Analyzer, a removable swing analysis sensor (sold separately). By using the sensor with the bat, players can gain valuable insights into their swing mechanics, including bat speed, attack angle, and time to impact. This feature allows players to track their progress, make data-driven adjustments, and ultimately improve their hitting performance.

Pro-tip: Utilize the Blast Softball Swing Analyzer to identify specific areas of improvement in your swing mechanics. By analyzing the data provided by the sensor, you can focus on addressing any weaknesses or areas for improvement to enhance your overall hitting ability.

Our Review, Score and More

Our Score: 87.0

I absolutely love the Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat! As a parent of an 11-year-old softball player, I can confidently say that this bat has made a huge difference in her performance. The precision-molded inner barrel and lower flex outer barrel provide maximum pop with every swing, resulting in powerful hits. The upgraded PowerSync connection joint also reduces vibration, allowing all of the energy from my daughter’s swing to transfer directly into the barrel.

Not only does this bat offer incredible power, but it also boasts increased durability. The strong 2-Piece Composite design, featuring a fused handle, collar, and barrel, ensures that this bat will perform well game after game. Additionally, the high-quality carbon composite material allows for quick and smooth swing speeds, giving my daughter a competitive edge on the field.

I highly recommend the Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat to any softball player looking to enhance their performance. You can find this amazing bat on Amazon. With a rating of 4.4 stars and positive reviews from 54 customers, it’s clear that this bat delivers exceptional results. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve your game with this incredible softball bat!

Best combination

In addition to the Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat, I highly recommend considering the Blast Softball – Swing Analyzer (Sensor) as an accompanying product. This combination will greatly enhance your overall softball experience and help you improve your performance.

The Blast Softball – Swing Analyzer is an advanced player development tool that analyzes swings and tracks important metrics. With its video capture feature, you can create highlights of your swings and review them for detailed analysis. The 3D Swing Tracer provides a visual representation of your swing, allowing you to identify areas for improvement.

The app-enabled functionality of the Blast Softball – Swing Analyzer allows you to conveniently review your swing data on your iOS or Android device. By using this device alongside the Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat, you can gain valuable insights into your swing mechanics and make necessary adjustments to optimize your performance.

Investing in both the Blast Softball – Swing Analyzer and the Rawlings | 2023 | Mantra+ Fastpitch Softball Bat will give you a comprehensive training solution to improve your skills on the softball field. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take your game to the next level!