About the Old Hickory Brendan Donovan BD33 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat
The Old Hickory Brendan Donovan BD33 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat is Brendan Donovan's Old Hickory model in the Steel Pressed finish. Cut to the 181 profile, the BD33 has a medium to large barrel with a medium handle that runs to a flared knob, and it swings with a balanced feel. It is turned from rock maple, cut to a -3 target weight and sold in adult baseball lengths from 31 to 34 inches, including half sizes.
The BD33 Profile
- Barrel: medium to large
- Handle: medium
- Knob: flared
- Feel: balanced
- Stock finish: matte black barrel, gloss black handle
The BD33 gives a hitter more barrel than the other balanced models in the lineup. The medium to large barrel adds hitting surface, and the medium handle keeps enough wood under the hands to hold the balance point back, so the bat still feels even rather than top heavy. The flared knob gives the bottom hand a firm stop. It is a good middle ground for a hitter who wants a bigger barrel but does not want an end loaded feel.
What Steel Pressed Means
Steel Pressed is Old Hickory's proprietary process for its pro stock bats. The rock maple is compressed and compacted with steel, which tightens the wood grain and produces a dramatically harder, more durable wood bat than an untreated billet. A harder, more durable bat holds up longer to batting practice and game use. The BD33 is one of Old Hickory's stock models in the Steel Pressed finish, and Old Hickory backs every Steel Pressed bat with a 60-day warranty.
Sizes and Target Weights
Every Old Hickory Steel Pressed stock bat is cut to a -3 target weight, which means the weight in ounces is three less than the length in inches. The BD33 comes in 31, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5 and 34 inch lengths, so hitters between sizes can order a half inch:
- 31 inch, 28 ounce target
- 32 inch, 29 ounce target
- 32.5 inch, 29.5 ounce target
- 33 inch, 30 ounce target
- 33.5 inch, 30.5 ounce target
- 34 inch, 31 ounce target
The easiest way to choose is to match the length of the bat the hitter swings now. Each half inch of length adds half an ounce of target weight, so step up only if the current bat feels light.
Who the Old Hickory Brendan Donovan BD33 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Is For
- High school, college and adult baseball hitters who want a balanced bat with a bigger barrel
- All-around hitters who want both control and barrel
- Hitters who like a medium handle and a flared knob
- Players who want to swing Brendan Donovan's model
How the BD33 Compares
Old Hickory groups its Steel Pressed stock models by feel: balanced, semi-end loaded and end loaded. The BD33 is a balanced bat. The other balanced models in this lineup:
- KT30: medium barrel, thick handle, standard knob
- M3C: medium barrel, thin handle, flared knob
- J7H: medium barrel, medium handle, flared knob
If the BD33 is close but not quite right, for more weight out front, look at the semi-end loaded MT27 and RA13 or the end loaded MO28 and 25BB.
Pair It With an Old Hickory Trainer
The Old Hickory HTA Adult Hands Trainer Bat comes in the same 31 to 34 inch lengths and builds hand and forearm strength for bat speed. The Old Hickory FT1 Flat Sided Trainer Bat shows a hitter whether the barrel is square at contact. Order the trainer in the same length as the game bat.
Caring for a Maple Wood Bat
- Hit real leather baseballs. Dimpled machine balls and rubber cage balls are hard on wood bats.
- Store the bat indoors, away from extreme heat, cold and humidity.
- Check the bat for cracks before each session.
- Do not use the bat to knock cleats or hit anything other than a baseball.
Old Hickory Brendan Donovan BD33 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Specifications
- Brand: Old Hickory
- Model: BD33
- Player model: Brendan Donovan
- Wood: rock maple
- Finish: Steel Pressed
- Stock color: matte black barrel, gloss black handle
- Profile: 181
- Barrel: medium to large
- Handle: medium
- Knob: flared
- Feel: balanced
- Lengths: 31, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34 inches
- Weight: -3 target (length in inches minus 3 = ounces)
- Warranty: 60 days, handled by Old Hickory
- Sport: baseball
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 181 profile?
181 is the turning profile Old Hickory cuts the BD33 to: a medium to large barrel with a medium handle that runs to a flared knob.
Is the BD33 balanced or end loaded?
Balanced. It has a bigger barrel than the other balanced models, but the medium handle keeps the feel even.
What does -3 mean?
It is the length to weight ratio. The BD33 is cut to a target weight three ounces less than its length in inches, so the 33 inch bat targets 30 ounces.
What is Steel Pressed?
Old Hickory's proprietary process that compresses and compacts the wood grain to make a harder, more durable maple bat.
What is the warranty?
Old Hickory covers Steel Pressed bats with a 60-day limited warranty. Warranty claims are handled directly by Old Hickory.
