The Combat SX3 Uncensored takes the pop designed into the company’s successful 100-plus mile-an-hour Combat B1 and puts in into a bat with a larger sweet spot. The SX3 Uncensored exceeds the ASA’s 98-mph standard, but is approved for BPF 1.20 play.
The 100% composite SX3 Uncensored features “Variable Barrel Stiffness” and “Multi Axial Composite Layering Technology,” technologies that allow the barrel flex and vibrate for maximum performance. All Combat bats are made with numerous design and process patents including a multi-laminate layer design, proprietary resin systems, and a proprietary precision molding process.
They are designed with 13” barrels (12” on the 26-oz. models), large sweet spots, all-weather durability, and a unique wood-like sound. One of the most unique features however is Combat’s attention to designing a different moment of inertia into each bat; that’s because everyone has a different Moment of Inertia.
In layman’s terms, the Moment of Inertia defines how easy the bat is to swing in an arc: balanced bats have the lowest MOI, extreme end loads have the highest. If you are a power hitter, you probably want a higher MOI; if you are smaller then the balanced weighting just swings easier. There is a different best bat for each player. Everyone swings the same bat differently. Everyone swings a different bat differently.
Combat helps players obtain the proper MOI by offering more customized models than any other company. Each bat ordered comes with the following weighting options:
BA: Balanced – balanced swing weight for control hitters who are looking for more bat speed with lower effort and precision control of line drive hits.
EL: End Loaded – higher swing weight for power hitters who are looking for increased hit distance. Best all around bat weighting for average and above average players.
XEL: Extra End Loaded – highest swing weight for the larger and stronger elite level power hitters who are looking to hit that extra long ball.
XD Extra Drop – lowest swing weight for players of smaller build and most women
XL: Extra Long Barrel – longest barrel for bigger sweetspot and more contact area (for fastpitch)
The SX3 Uncensored has a gradual taper and thin handle with a tennis racket style grip.
Combat claims the SX3 Uncensored is “Hot out of the wrapper” and that is no exaggeration. The Uncensored was hitting balls over fences with its first swings.
But while there is no break-in period, there was a bit of an adjustment period; after all, the end loaded model we hit was weighted quite differently from other bats we hit including the balanced Combat SX3 Censored we tried simultaneously. It takes more strength and energy to swing an end load effectively and years of hitting light, balanced composites has made some hitters lazy. But those that didn’t put the SX3 Uncensored down right away because of its weighting were quickly rewarded by its performance.
When Combat started making slow pitch bats, the focus was on power – base hitters can get away with using aluminum and great hitters can use just about anything, but power hitters are a breed unto themselves and they are constantly looking for better design, more durability, more distance, and any other advantage that can be turned into just a few feet more of “pop.”
This bat gives that type of hitter everything they could want. The feel, the sound, and the weighting all say “performance.” Then you hit the ball and it flies just like it feels it should. The extended sweet spot touted by Combat seems real – this bat is easier to hit that last year’s B1. More hits go far with this stick, and that is the mark of a good power hitter’s bat.
One tester who has been playing at the highest levels for the past couple years picked it up cold, hit four shots in a row beyond the 350 fence, and simply said “nice.”
If you are looking for a negative in the SX3 Uncensored it may be that this is not the ideal bat for singles hitters. Perhaps a balanced version would work well for slap hitters and opposite field dinkers, but not this particular end loaded version. The problem – which is an advantage for power hitters – is that the ball goes too far on cleanly hit balls. Therefore hitters who are used to dumping the ball in front of the right fielder will end up getting too much distance and making more outs than they are accustomed to.
As far as negatives go, that’s a pretty minor one, especially if you are looking for distance.
The graphics are hit or miss – the half purple/half black barrel was either loved or hated depending on the batter. What was undeniably cool was the graphics on the bat which change colors depending on how the sun hits them.
The grip is padded unlike other makers’ bats. The women seemed to like the tennis-like wrap, but most of the men were anxious to peel it off and go with a thinner athletic tape. Of course, that is the grip tape most preferred by power hitters anyway – and those are the players we believe this bat would most benefit.
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