The Synergy CNT minus-9 is Easton’s fast pitch power hitter’s bat, designed along the lines of the original Synergy fast pitch model but slightly heavier and end weighted.
It features Easton’s patent-pending “IMX” – Integrated Matrix – technology, which optimizes the relationship between materials, design and the manufacturing process to create the highest performing bat possible. Each step in the development of the composite shell is designed to work seamlessly with the next step, creating true synergy: the best material for the design and the best design for the process and the best process for the material translate to a bat that gets the most out of every ingredient.
The addition of “CNT” – carbon nanotube technology – strengthens composite structures. The weakest areas in a traditional composite bat are the tiny spaces between the fibers that are filled with resin; carbon nanotubes, structures one billionth of a meter in size, are dispersed throughout the resin, making it tougher. Because of their size, surface area, geometry and purity, carbon nanotubes are measurably stronger than continuous carbon fiber. The process of distributing the CNT throughout the resin is made possible by Zynex NanoSolve materials and is exclusive to Easton.
Easton’s patent pending “Extended Flex” design lengthens the sweet spot by increasing the barrel flex towards the handle and end of the bat to allow maximum performance across the entire barrel.
It is slightly end loaded for bat speed, power and feel, and the handle has been redesigned to provide flex two times greater than in Easton’s aluminum bats.
It has an ultra-thin 29/32" handle with Pro-Tack cushioned grip. It is silver and red with silver, red and black graphics.
It is available in 34”/25 oz with a 13.5” barrel; 33”/24 oz with a 13” barrel; 32”/23 oz with 12.5” barrel; 31”/22 oz with a 12” barrel; and 30”/21 oz with an 11.5” barrel. We hit the 32”/23 oz version.
The Easton Synergy CNT -9 is a power hitters’ bat and does things for fast pitch players that old fast pitch bats couldn’t do.
See, there was a time when girls who wanted the most performance they could get out of a bat would have to swing slow pitch models. Those bats were technically superior to fast pitch bats in materials, design, composition, weight distribution and therefore performance. The drawback was the lightest slow pitch bats weighed in at 26 ounces – a bit heavy for all but the strongest hitters in fast pitch.
The Synergy CNT -9, which is available as big as 34”/25 oz but is also made as small as 30”/21 oz, solves that problem by using the same technologies as Easton’s slow pitch models at fast pitch weights.
The barrel combines Extended Flex and Carbon Nanotube technologies for a soft feel on contact; whereas most composite bats offer no feedback to the hands when they are hit, the Synergy CNT is not like that. The barrel flexes easily along most of its 13+ inches. The flex is consistent, so you get the feel of the ball no matter where along the barrel you hit it.
It makes a unique sound, higher and louder than many competitors. It wasn’t deemed good or bad, but some hitters thought the sound added to the feeling that you are making good contact and so it helps for confidence.
The bat performs near the limit of the ASA’s bat standard. Add to that the extra weight (compared to the Synergy CNT -10) at the end, and the Synergy CNT -9 can easily assist hitters of all types get the ball out of a standard 220-foot fast pitch field.
“I prefer an end-loaded bat, so the extra ounce (of the Synergy -9) was great,” said tester, two-time All Big 12 Team and former Texas Longhorn star Tamara Poppe. “I really like the heavier Synergies. I swung the (original) yellow and black Synergy in college.”
The sweet spot is large, though it was perceived to be larger in the Snyergy CNT -10 model; the reasons were simple – the extra weight at the end of the -9 makes it harder to get started, makes it swing through the hitting zone quicker, and makes it harder to stop short like is often done with a slap style swing. It also pushes the sweet spot more toward the end than in a balanced bat. This is the style of bat preferred by stronger players and power hitters and those involved with Bat Reviews loved it; the speedy slap hitters that tested it loved it too, but since nearly all of them were smaller girls, they preferred the balanced and lighter Synergy CNT -10.
Finally, it is quite possibly the best looking fast pitch bat on the market. Along with the Synergy CNT -10, Easton has achieved a look that is all things – classic with its cool steel-gray barrel; tastefully colorful with its transparent orange (or blue) taper; aggressive with its bold lettering; technologically advanced with its composite fiber lattice pattern in the handle. With the Synergy CNT, Easton has developed a look that does not depend on loud, bright colors nor trendy patterns or graphics. It looks less like a toy and more like high-end professional gear than perhaps any other bat in the fast pitch pantheon. And the girls loved it.
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