Here at Marucci we are constantly striving to raise the standard. The new CAT9 features the latest technology in alloy bats. From barrel to knob, the CAT9 and CAT9 Connect have been finely tuned and upgraded. In this blog, we will break down everything you need to know about the latest and greatest from the Marucci CAT line and their new advancements.

CAT9

The one-piece CAT9 is crafted with our strongest aluminum from the barrel through the handle. We utilize a complex three-stage thermal treatment process to give our new AZR alloy a more responsive microstructure for better feel, more forgiveness and more performance, while maintaining the same strength as its predecessor. Additionally, the BBCOR certified version of the CAT9 features our newest barrel technology, the Longitudinal Groove System™ (LGS). The LGS is a set of grooves that runs longitudinally across the thickest wall section of the barrel which allows for specific weight re-location and more flexibility at the sweet spot.

Accompanying the barrel’s Longitudinal Groove System™ is the Multi-Variable Wall Design (MVWD). The MVWD is a system of multiple wall thicknesses across the barrel that get thinner as you get off the sweet spot. This system creates an expanded sweet spot and thinner barrel walls off that are more forgiving after off-centered contact. As always, we utilize ring-free barrel construction to ensure our bats have virtually no “dead” spots. A lot of bats in the market are built using one wall thickness across the entire length of the barrel and have some type of internal ring or governor at the sweet spot to ensure their barrels stay under the required performance limit. This is a cheaper and quicker way to produce bats but results in a “dead” spot at the location of the ring and no forgiveness on off-centered contact. Our ringless, multi-variable walls ensure your bat is constructed to reach top-performance right out of the gate at the sweet spot and even more forgiveness off-of the sweet spot.

Crafted with a precision-balanced barrel resulting in a medium M.O.I., the CAT9’s mid-balanced feel offers better precision and control over the bat and is great for any level player.

The CAT9 also features our 2^nd Generation AV2 Anti-Vibration knob with a finely tuned harmonic dampening system for better feel and less negative vibrational feedback. The components that make up the AV2 Anti-Vibration knob also weigh 2 ounces. Since this weight is placed below the players hands during the swing, the AV2 knob helps to counterbalance the barrel, creating a lighter swinging bat resulting in faster bat speeds.

Both the CAT9 and CAT9 Connect have a micro-perforated soft-touch grip with extra tack that improves both the feel and control or your metal bat. The BBCOR certified -3 and USSSA certified -5 bats come with a professionally inspired, tapered handle with an ergonomic shape for more top-hand control and comfort. This taper can be removed for an easy, personalized feel.

The one-piece CAT9 is available in five sizes: BBCOR certified -3 and USSSA certified -5, -8, -10 and Junior Big Barrel -10.

CAT9 Connect

With the two-piece CAT9 Connect, we made one-of-a-kind technological advancements. The barrel of the CAT9 Connect utilizes the same super-strong, super-responsive AZR alloy, ring-free, multi-variable wall barrel design and Longitudinal Groove System™ (BBCOR only) as the one-piece CAT9. Combining these three advanced technologies, the CAT9 Connect will be a force at the plate.

We additionally developed the newest advancement in our two-piece bats, the Outer Locking System Connection (OLS). The OLS Connection is the first system to connect a two-piece bat from the outside, creating our stiffest connection yet for maximum energy transfer to the ball while also dismissing virtually all vibrations produced at contact. The Outer Locking System features a carbon composite handle that is threaded into the AZR alloy barrel and then locked into place by the outer locking sleeve which threads on top of the handle and barrel’s connection. The hybrid, two-piece construction of the CAT9 Connect offers a more end-loaded feel that power hitters love.

As mentioned for the one-piece CAT9, the CAT9 Connect features a micro-perforated soft-touch grip on all sizes while BBCOR certified -3 and USSSA certified -5 bats come with a professionally inspired, removable handle taper.

The CAT9 Connect is available in four sizes: BBCOR certified -3 and USSSA certified -5, -8 and -10.

We fabricated a piece of metal into a finely-tuned tool for today’s elite player. Using our proprietary, complex thermal treatments, we created a more responsive aluminum microstructure for better feel, more forgiveness and more performance, while maintaining the strength of its predecessor. On the end-loaded CAT9 Connect, we upgraded to an Outer-Locking System for a stiffer connection, while dismissing virtually all vibrations on contact.

As always, there are no artificial rings, “dead” spots or compromises. It’s not the easy way, it’s the Marucci way. There are no shortcuts or easy routes, and with the CAT9, we crafted excellence.