The Baum Hitting Machine

The patented (#5,988,861), state-of-the-art Baum Hitting Machine can determine, with extreme accuracy, batted ball exit velocity for any bat/ball combination to a combined speed of 200 mph.

This is a screen photo of the copyrighted data sheet automatically generated from the Baum Hitting Machine high speed data acquisition system after each hit.

This is a high speed camera capture of a 93.3 mph batted ball approaching the exit target perfectly. This target is over six feet from the point of impact. The pitch speed used was 70 mph and the bat swing speed was 68 mph.

Here is another image from our high speed camera sessions. In this shot, a high school athlete combines the Rocket Training Program with a AAA PRO Baum®Bat.

At the request of Major League Baseball, Tufts University, under the direction of Professor Robert Collier, conducted an exhaustive materials performance and technical evaluation comparing the Baum AAA Pro Model with the C-271 hardwood models. In the report Professor Collier said:

"In summary, both field and laboratory experiments demonstrate that the Baum AAA Pro Model wood composite bat is comparable to a professional C-271 wood bat in dynamics and performance. The AAA Pro Model has, on the other hand, proven to be far more durable with regard to both strength and maintaining its performance levels after sustained hitting."

As a follow-up, Tufts University in Massachusetts has re-evaluated the production models for durability of field results compared to the standard C-271 model. Their conclusion:

"The Baum AAA Pro bat continues to perform at the same level confirming the results of durability testing carried out last Fall in which performance was unchanged after more than 2,000 hits."

If there exists confusion or questions regarding the current status of NCAA and NFHS baseball bat rules, please allow us to simplify. This is based upon examination of the published NCAA and U-Mass Lowell web sites as of 3/6/06 and tests conducted  by Baum Research on the Baum Hitting Machine.

To date all approved bats are based upon a BESR testing standard established in September 1999. The testing standard did not and still does not compare the same length, weight and center of gravity (moment of inertia) of the standard setting wood bat to that of metal bats! The importance of the center of gravity, or more precisely, the moment of inertia, is displayed in the chart  following this paragraph. At that time all testing was conducted on the patented moving bat and moving ball state of the art Baum Hitting Machine. Testing, if in fact it is being conducted currently, is based upon a stationary bat, moving ball test.

Irrespective of the accuracy or lack of accuracy of this new testing protocol and machinery, the test is today just as flawed as it was initially. A fair valid test protocol must compare bats of the same weight, length and center of gravity, or ideally, moment of inertia, to be a meaningful comparison. The difference in exit velocity between wood and metal when equally and fairly tested and without the human swing speed variable effect is in the 9 MPH range, as is shown in the next chart. This difference is due to the trampoline effect of the metal bat. It is our educated opinion that this speed difference has a definite effect on the balance between offense and defense, maintaining the integrity of the game and player safety. It is not possible to escape the fact that this difference is not wood-like!

The Baum AAA pro model Baum®Bat hits exactly like wood except it is far more durable!