DeMarini’s 2008 F3 updates the successful F2 design by introducing exclusive Structure Control alloy (SC3) which manages the alloy’s grain density and alignment for toughness – the most technologically advanced aluminum DeMarini has ever used. The F3 takes advantage of aluminum and composite technologies by pairing the legendary DeMarini Doublewall barrel with a Carbon Reinforced Composite handle.
This Half & Half technology of two distinct pieces fused together makes the bat lighter, allowing the majority of the weight to occur in the barrel. It is not technically and end load design, but since it has more weight in the barrel than 100% aluminum or 100% composite bats, it swings end weighted.
The barrel is DeMarini’s Doublewall, inner and outer aluminum walls held in place by an n2m end cap. The space between the walls is filled with exclusive DeMarini Power Fluid which allows the walls to flex independently while distributing the energy of the impact and making them to work together.
The Flex Tuned handle helps lengthen the sweet spot by eliminating sting and returning that energy to the ball. The handle also flexes before, during and after impact, effectively increasing swing speed.
The rotation index on the 13” barrel reminds the hitter to turn the bat on each swing to help prevent denting and flat spots. It has Wilson’s Positack moisture-absorbing composite textured grip. It is available in 26-28 and 30 ounces.
We hit the 26 ounce model.
The 2007 DeMarini F3 updates the design of the F2 by bringing a stronger and more consistent alloy to the field. The SC3 actually allows for the elimination of flaws in the grain, keeping the aluminum’s performance and durability more consistent from bat to bat and swing to swing.
Other than that, the F3 is very much like its predecessor F2: balls hit with the F3 tend to fly. You can feel the kickpoint – that moment when the flex of the handle snaps forward, the bat head speeding through as it makes contact with the ball. The Doublewall barrel still has what feels like the largest sweet spot in aluminum bats. And the weighting of the bat makes it easy to launch the ball great distances.
With the maturing of composite technology, there is less demand for aluminum bats. But that doesn’t mean there is no place for them in slow pitch. The F3 is a solid performer with plenty of pop for home run hitters and plenty of sweet spot for slap hitters. It doesn’t have the feel of other aluminum offerings because the Half & Half absorbs all the vibration, but then it also doesn’t have any of the sting of other aluminum bats.
And though about 60% of the price of a top-of-the-line composite, it has much more than 60% of the performance of one of those bats. In fact, in the hands of a player who makes consistent contact in the center of the barrel or a player with more strength than hand speed, it can work every bit as well as bats costing $150 more.
The F3 is for all types of hitters, but is a good bat for beginners because you don’t have to break it in like acomposite and for hitters with slow hands because it adds distance to the swing regardless of swing speed. It is a great choice for players who want performance and don’t want to spend $350 on a bat.
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