This bat is unlikely to be used by the high average base hitters due to their relying on the entire barrel length for their hits.......
“...the reduction of mass between the sweet spot and the end of the bat will result in less energy applied to the ball when hit in that area...”
You are so right. The design was to make the sweet spot of the bat concentrated with harder wood and a more whip like action if the ball was struck at that point. But they gave up the end of the bat “dying quails” as the lack of wood at the end doesn’t support hitting a ball with enough force to carry it to the outfield and drop in. And there have been some bats that have shattered at the end without the wood compression. So if they hit it “on the screws,” it will fly faster and farther. But miss the spot, and the bat takes away hits.
Another thing I haven’t seen is someone warning of the shot back through the middle. This problem was equated with using metal bats and MLB refusal. If one came back through the middle the pitcher could be severely injured if not killed. Same problem. Hope that doesn’t happen for the purposes of putting butts in the seats with the long ball.
wy69