The 2007 DeMarini Onyx -9 uses Half & Half Technology to create a bat for elite college and high school players. It features a new “Doublewall” Evolution composite barrel to go along with a “Flex Tuned” Evolution composite handle. It is similar to the 2006 Evo Fast Pitch, but with an extra wall in the barrel.
Built for fast pitch from the ground up, the Onyx’s Doublewall design delivers total barrel responsiveness combined with a vibration taming handle. Evolution composite materials provide power and strength for performance and durability.
Like all DeMarini Half & Half bats, the 100% composite Onyx consists of two distinct pieces: a barrel and separate handle fused together at the top of the taper. By creating the bat in two pieces, DeMarini is able to use different materials, formulas and processes that allow for the best characteristics for each piece. While the Onyx has a composite barrel and composite handle, they are not the same: the barrel is designed to flex and rebound at impact, propelling the ball; the handle is stiffer, “Flex Tuned” to get the barrel through the hitting zone quickly and get the most performance out of the barrel.
The barrel is designed to react to a ball thrown at fast pitch speeds with a larger sweet spot than is possible with aluminum, while the handle has the proper stiffness to perform best at those pitch speeds. The Flex-Tuned composite handle flexes before and after impact, recoiling with a burst of energy at impact. The result is a bat that comes through the hitting zone faster with no extra force exerted on the batter’s part.
Half & Half silences feedback on off-center hits and allows players to swing with confidence. The N2M end cap is scientifically tuned to return energy (impact vibration) to the barrel while absorbing unwanted vibration (sting).
The Onyx comes in specific length/weight combinations: minus-9 models at 32”/23 oz, 33”/24 oz and 34”/25 oz; a minus-8 model at 34”/26 oz; and a minus-10 model at 34”/24 oz.
It features DeMarini’s bat rotation index on the barrel and Wilson’s Positack textured grip: a moisture absorbing composite material that also reduces vibration and hand fatigue for better feel, with or without a batting glove.
The Onyx is charcoal gray and white with red, black and white graphics.
We hit the 33”/24 oz version.
Following the success of the Fastpitch Evo, DeMarini has added another level of technology to its fast pitch line with the all-composite Doublewall Onyx.
It is designed for the elite player – it is available in -8, -9 and -10 configurations – but doesn’t come any lighter than 23 ounces. That is because it is a true Doublewall bat, with two distinct walls in the barrel which work together to increase both the size and the effectiveness of the sweet spot.
Unlike the DeMarini’s other all-composite elite fast pitch bat, the balanced Evo, the Onyx features a bit of end weighting. That, combined with the stiff, flexible handle and Half & Half two-piece design makes it more of a power-hitter’s bat than any previous DeMarini fast pitch offering.
So while not everyone can effectively swing this bat, we did find some bigger and experienced hitters who fell in love with the Onyx after just one hitting session.
“I love this bat,” said one tester. “For an end-loaded bat, it’s easy to swing.”
It was easy to watch too, as she hit ball after ball up against the 250’ outfield fence with ease. That hitter, also a coach and instructor, had one of her athletes hit the Onyx: she hit with her own 33”/24, end-loaded, top-of-the-line, 100% composite bat from a rival company, then switched to the test bat.
“What a difference!” said the coach “It was like having bb’s coming off the bat. With the same swing, the DeMarini added more power and distance to her hit.”
The Onyx is a classy looking bat as well, which appealed to the college and adult aged players who used it.
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