Combat (the company) started in 1998 when they started making softball bats for other brand name companies. Combat bats were born in recent years when they decided to bring out the same bats that they make for other companies under their own name, including baseball bats.
This is the dirty little secret in many industries. Well-known manufacturers hire an outside company to produce products under their name (just like some American cars are actually Japanese cars with different nameplates. The Chevy Nova comes to mind). I have not been successful in finding out what bats they have made for others, but I am inclined to believe it was for softball bats.
Combat focuses exclusively on composite and hybrid baseball bats. They are priced lower than known manufacturers; as they should be since they have no name recognition.
Combat has a limited line of baseball bats. Is it so:
- fight against the virus – One-piece, multi-walled bat (senior league is single-walled) with stiff handle. The Virus has different codes for its adult (AB), youth (YB), and senior league (SL) bats. While less than the IMX, Triton, and CF3, the Virus is not in their league. The Virus competes with the Omaha Comp, and I would stick with the Omaha Comp.
- Fight B2 Da Bomba Only available on youth models – One piece single wall bat with rigid handle. This bat has a cult following (coming from the Combat B1) which has produced rabid fans. To my knowledge this started during the 2007 LL World Series when the winning team hit a home run with a Combat B1. While inexpensive for a composite bat, I’m not convinced this bat is any better than the Easton IMX. Like the Virus, it competes with the Louisville Omaha Comp. I prefer the Omaha Comp but the B2 is the clear second choice for the junior player in this category.
As I mentioned, I know there are some rabid Combat fans out there. But I think that is more of an exaggeration than a fact. Sorry Combat fans, your feedback is welcome.