DeMarini 2018 Voodoo (-10) 2 5/8" Balanced USA Baseball Bat

First, let's get the obvious out of the way: The USA bats completely disappoint compared to the "hot" bats of years past. What we have been conditioned to expect out of a youth bat over the past decade no longer exists with the new USA standards. These bats are deadened to perform more like wood and sure enough, they do. That being said, the two piece DeMarini Voodoo is a really nice bat when you reset your expectations of youth bat performance. Last year as a 6 year old, my son hit with a two piece Easton S2, 28/15. He's a contact hitter who displayed decent pop for a small, machine pitch kid. Since he's a fan of two piece bats, we went with the Voodoo. He had to move up to the 28/18 and for sure, it's a solid drop 10 (maybe even a drop 8 if I put it on a scale). It claims to be a balanced bat but it feels slightly end loaded. When compared to his older brother's Solo 618 (which is a true balanced bat), the Voodoo definitely trends more end loaded. However, after two weeks of swinging the Voodoo (he probably averages 500-1000 swings per week), he's back to hitting like his old self. Contact-wise he still hits solid line drives and sharp grounders and pop-wise, he generates similar power to his old bat. He loves the two piece and says he rarely ever feels sting, even on mishits. (His older brother complains of sting a lot with his Solo.) For comparison sake, since the Solo seems to be the hottest bat on the market, I took about 30 cuts apiece with both the 28/18 Voodoo and a 31/20 Solo. I generated the same pop with both bats although I felt like the exit speed was greater off the Voodoo than the Solo. The Solo seemed a little more forgiving of mishits pop-wise, but in terms of hand sting, the Voodoo was the clear winner. Like my son, I never experienced hand sting with the Voodoo. If I had it to do all over again, I would still have purchased the Voodoo for my 7 year old. Yes, it took some time to get used to the heavier bat (he's a tiny kid--about 47 inches and about 55 lbs) but after putting in the work to get a feel for it, he hits just as good and is just as confident with it as he was with his old bat. Have we given up some exit speed and some pop? Of course we have but so has everyone else using the USAs. After watching quite a few other kids swing various USA models over the past month (I'm a hitting coach), I haven't seen any other bats that drastically outperform the Voodoo. Keep in mind, if your kid isn't a true drop 10 or drop 8 hitter, it will take some time to adjust to the heavier swing weights of the USA bats. However, if the kid puts in the work, they'll be pleased with this bat.

Good bat. Better in warmer weather, 70+ degrees. Whole USA Bat thing is a racket and a rip-off if you ask me though, and this is my only forum to say so. At least give the kids a grace period to grow out of the bats they were currently using, say 2 years. I'd have no problem buying a USA Bat for his next step up.Manufacturers are laughing all the way to the bank, IMO.

Ordered 28 -10 which should weigh 18 oz. Felt heavy so had post office weigh it & it weighs 20.7 oz (1 lb 4.7 oz). Not sure how this will work when he swings.?.? Why do you put 18oz for weight when it weighs 20.7 oz? Weight should reflect real weight, even with glue & such, correct?

This is a great bat. Feels very balanced. My son just got this bat on Friday, and used it in games on Saturday and Sunday, going 3 for 4 in both games.

excellent balance , weight distribution allows my 9yoTo accelerate the bat head through the strike zone, as it turns out the entire team uses this single bat

This bat is awesome but as some other reviewers mentioned, it swings heavier than it says. closer to a drop 8. Plus it's a bit barrel heavy so when swinging the kid will feel the weight. Great products, you just need to know what you are buying.

Solid bat, but like others struggling to maintain high prices after the specs changed in 2018, these new bats are overpriced. Borrowing off of the promise of big power through better engineering, but the new specs take away the pop. Seeing very little difference between these expensive bats and the rest. Save $150 and buy something nice at your local sporting goods store.

This bat is fun!