Louisville Slugger 2011 TPX (-12) Maverick Baseball Bat

The bat is great, but this model of the bat is not approved for Little League use. If you do a search on Amazon for bat model number AYB11M, an approved Little League bat, this bat appears as the result on Amazon. When I ordered the bat, I received bat model number YB11M, which is not approved for Little League. When I researched into the matter further, I found out that the two bats are the same, EXCEPT that the "A" version is only sold at Academy Stores, and is approved, and costs $69.99, whereas the version without the "A", is sold everywhere else, and is not approved, and appears to be more expensive by $25-$30. The bats appear to be identical except for the "A" in front of the model number on the Academy version, and the tiny thumbnail size MLB logo on the barrel, and a quarter sized holgraphic MLB sticker about midway up the bat, are also missing on the "A" version. I hope this saves you some of the frustration that I am having with this approved, not approved, bat mess. I wish Amazon would provide some clarity for the bats they sell. Most listings do not seem to list the model number in the description, and obviously the search is not reliable for model number.

Bought this bat for my 11 year old son. He loves it and has some great hits with it. Some of his team mates have the more expensive $300 bats and this one hits just the same. Great deal!!

My boy is 11 and 110 pounds. I bought him the 30 inch last year. He was having some issues getting the barrel of the bat on the ball initially, when he did though the ball jumped off the bat. This year, preseason, we were taking batting practice and he complained of his hands ringing. We worked on getting the barrel of the bat on the ball, but he still complained of the bat ringing his hands. We made a switch to another bat, Easton S1. Second at bat this year, after walking the first time, he went yard. There's no scientific proof if the bat went dead, but I inspected it a couple of times and didn't see any cracks in it. Regardless, we're, I mean he's, (lol) much happier with the S1. I don't think the Maverick is a bad buy for the price, but look to move up.

First, we don't play Little League so I'm not sure about their rules. Second, I did buy this bat at Academy because I wanted it that day, although the price on Amazon is about the same. Third, I wasn't sure about this bat because composites can crack easily and my son already has a 28 inch, -12 bat that he can't swing well. He had been swinging a 27 inch, -13 and hitting okay but without much power. This bat felt good and my son loves the gold and the graphics so for the price it was worth a shot. After one night of break in, my son hit 4 for 4 in game play with an in the park home run! He was so excited! My son is 7, 4'2" and 53 lbs. We play in a machine pitch league but I'm sure this bat would do well in coach or player pitch leagues. I can't comment on durability but I'm hoping this bat will get us though fall ball and next spring. If not, at $70 I can justify buying another one.