Old Hickory BW11 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat

The Old Hickory BW11 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat has a medium barrel and a thin to medium handle that runs to a flared knob, with a semi-end loaded feel. It comes in an ebony barrel with a natural handle. It is turned from rock maple, cut to a -3 target weight and sold in adult baseball lengths from 32 to 34 inches, including half sizes.

The BW11 Profile

• Barrel: medium
• Handle: thin to medium
• Knob: flared
• Feel: semi-end loaded
• Stock finish: ebony barrel, natural handle

The BW11 sits in the middle of the Steel Pressed lineup on almost every measure. The medium barrel and the thin to medium handle give a feel that is neither whippy nor stiff, and the semi-end loaded balance keeps a little weight out front for carry. The flared knob gives the bottom hand a firm stop. For a hitter who is not sure which shape fits, the BW11 is a sensible place to start.

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 BW11 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 BW11 comes in 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5 and 34 inch lengths, so hitters between sizes can order a half inch:

• 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 BW11 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Is For

• High school, college and adult baseball hitters who want a middle-of-the-road feel
• Hitters who want a little weight out front without a heavy barrel
• Hitters who like a thin to medium handle and a flared knob
• Players buying their first Steel Pressed bat

How the BW11 Compares

Old Hickory groups its Steel Pressed stock models by feel: balanced, semi-end loaded and end loaded. The BW11 is a semi-end loaded bat. The other semi-end loaded models in this lineup:

• MT27: medium to large barrel, thin handle, standard knob
• TC42: medium barrel, thin handle, slightly flared knob
• RA13: medium barrel, medium handle, flared knob

If the BW11 is close but not quite right, for a lighter, more even feel, look at the balanced models such as the KT30 and J7H; for more weight out front, 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 BW11 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Specifications

• Brand: Old Hickory
• Model: BW11
• Wood: rock maple
• Finish: Steel Pressed
• Stock color: ebony barrel, natural handle
• Barrel: medium
• Handle: thin to medium
• Knob: flared
• Feel: semi-end loaded
• Lengths: 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

Does the BW11 come in 31 inches?

No. The BW11 Steel Pressed is sold in 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5 and 34 inch lengths.

How is the BW11 different from the RA13?

Both are semi-end loaded with a medium barrel and a flared knob. The BW11 has a thin to medium handle; the RA13 has a medium handle.

What does -3 mean?

It is the length to weight ratio. The BW11 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.