The 2007 F3 -9 Fast Pitch improves on the F2 design by introducing a “Thickness Tuned” barrel to Ray DeMarini’s revolutionary Half & Half design.
It is available in 32”, 33” and 34” models. It also comes in relatively heavy -9, -8 or -6 weights (34-inches only) for elite and men’s players. This is because the F3 has all of the technology of the slow pitch version of the bat – rare in an aluminum fast pitch offering.
Half & Half technology consists of two distinct pieces, a barrel and separate handle fused together at the top of the taper. The F3 pairs a high performance “Doublewall” aluminum barrel with a “Flex Tuned” composite handle. The heavy barrel and light handle give the bat an end-loaded feel.
The barrel is made of high KSI strength DX-1 high performance alloy. It is then Thickness Tuned – given variable thicknesses at precise intervals to add the performance of a thinner wall while retaining the durability of a thicker wall.
It uses DeMarini’s patented Doublewall technology, which employs two independent aluminum walls to create a dynamic, “springboard” hitting surface. It absorbs, holds and releases energy like a trampoline, and delivers a large, responsive sweet spot. The two walls are held in place by an n2m end cap which is scientifically tuned to return energy to the barrel while absorbing the unwanted frequencies that cause bat sting; the space between the two walls is filled with DeMarini “Power Fluid,” which allows each wall to flex independently while working together at impact –like a truck’s leaf spring. The energy at the point of impact is dispersed by the fluid over the inner wall and returned over a larger area of the outer wall, creating a sweet spot larger than is possible without the Doublewall.
The Flex Tuned composite handle helps lengthen the sweet spot by eliminating sting and speeding the barrel through the hitting zone. The handle also flexes before and after impact, effectively increasing swing speed with no additional effort. The F3 Fast Pitch’s handle is designed to perform best at fast-pitch pitch speeds.
It features DeMarini’s bat rotation index on the barrel and Wilson’s Positack textured grip. It is purple and white with black and silver graphics.
We hit the 33”/24 oz model.
With the advent of DeMarini’s 100% composite fast pitch bats, the popularity of the F-series bats has fallen off a bit; with lengths and weights designed for elite players, it often loses out to the 100% composite when it comes time to make a purchase. But perhaps it shouldn’t be disregarded so quickly.
The F3 is DeMarini’s best Doublewall yet: it has all the advantages of the Doublewall barrel – sweet spot, trampoline effect - with the extra kick of Thickness Tuned walls; it has the pop of the F2 with the extra punch of DeMarini’s most advanced alloy to date; it has an end-loaded feel thanks to the heavy barrel and light composite handle, making it comfortable for power hitters.
This is a high-performance bat, with a sweet spot big enough for tournament play and pop enough for any field. Is it every bit as amazing as the 100% composite offerings? No. But it does everything nearly as well as the top-of-the-line offerings for a much lower price – as much as $100 less than composite. What that does is put a very capable performer in your hands at a bargain price.
Young players may regard aluminum bats as a thing of the past and see the F3 as something old school. But there is nothing “old” about the technology (Half & Half, Thickness Tuned, Flex Tuned, K1 alloy) and nothing quaint about the on-field results.
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