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Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z: Image #328815
Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z: Image #328811
Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z: Image #328812
Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z: Image #328813
Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z: Image #328814
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Features

  • -12 Length to Weight Ratio

  • 2 5/8 Inch Barrel Diameter

  • 31/32 Inch Tapered Handle

  • Full Twelve (12) Month Manufacturer's Warranty

  • Free Shipping!

  • Features USSSA 1.15 Stamp; Legal for Use in 2012

  • **BPF 1.15**

  • Synthetic Grip

  • Louisville Slugger End Cap

  • LS-2X Composite

  • iST Composite Connection

  • S1 iD Technology Allows MAXIMUM Performance From SWING 1

Description

The SL12Z features the USSSA 1.15 stamp and is legal for use in and beyond! Louisville Slugger revolutionized adult baseball and softball with the release of the Z-1000. This season they bring that patented technology to the senior league field! The driving force behind the Z-1000 is S1 iD Technology that allows the barrel to flex to its maximum allowable performance level from SWING 1. Two inner discs are positioned inside the barrel at the sweetspot to stop the barrel from from flexing past the legal limit. For players, this means they really do get MAXIMUM performance allowable and a larger performing sweetspot. Louisville Slugger also introduces a new composite structure to the Z-1000 called LS-2X Composite. This new thinner high-strength and lightweight graphite fiber blend allows for reduced wall thickness, creating better performance while maintaining durability. The thinner fibers have allowed Louisville Slugger to use more layers in the barrel for added strength, but with an overall wall thickness that is thinner. The iST barrel to handle connection gives players maximum performance, even on inside hits. With a balanced swing weight, the Z-1000 is built for power and control. For added performance the Z-1000 has a Louisville Slugger end cap and a 31/32" tapered handle with a synthetic grip. Louisville Slugger: Intimidate at the Plate! The Z-1000 is backed by a Full Twelve (12) Month Manufacturer's Warranty. Free Shipping!

Reviews

Average Ratings Based on 43 Customer Reviews

3.441860465116279 Stars:Overall Rating
3.5 Stars: Durability
4 Stars: General Feel
4 Stars: Pop
3.5 Stars: Vibration
or
Search Existing Reviews
5 Stars: Overall Rating
ladiesman561jazz

Pros: great pop, no dents at all ,great bat.

Cons: none at all

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Midwest Beasts

Pros: Bat is super lite. Very balanced bat. Wicked bat speed. The kids love it. Has good pop. Cool looking.

Cons: This bat is so lite that it doesn't have the power that some of our other bats have...although this depends on the kid. Some of the kids can pound the ball with this bat.

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Super Slugger

Pros: The weight distribution is better than our previous 28in. 16oz. bat. It feels lighter than the previous bat. My son says the sweet spot is bigger and he is hitting the ball harder. Bat looks good too!

Cons: The knob is slightly large at the end of the bat.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Slugger

Pros: My son is a smaller 10 year old and cant handle the the heaver big barrels bats so this is a perfect bat with great pop and awesome balance.....BEST BAT EVER........ :)

Cons: NONE

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Natomas Rattlers

Pros: This bat is well balanced an great for smaller framed kids. I also moved some bigger kids using -10s to it and they are crushing the ball with it.

Cons: None yet.

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
ICEMAN

Pros: Looks nice that is about it

Cons: I was looking at the tpx catalyst when they said this is the top of the line for louisville and I wish I would have not listened .It is not a good bat to buy.Im out $300 I wish i would have bought the catalyst .Save your money.Poor pop small sweetspot

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
smitty

Pros: looks cool and very light

Cons: no pop. do not buy

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Rick

Pros: My son needed to move to a big barrel bat but wanted a drop 12. I only found 2 on the market so we ordered the Z-1000 as it was supposed to have the largest sweet spot and most pop. He has only used it in BP so far but the ball really jumps off of this bat with a great sound even on mishits. He loves it so far and can't wait until the season starts!

Cons: None so far.

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Garrett Jeter

Pros: Looks good and is definitely well balanced with the great length to weight ratio.

Cons: Does not have the pop you would want for $300. My son is 7 going on 8 and weighs 76 pounds. His swing is strong and bat is dead compared to his other bats... Easton Surge -10 and the Easton Rival -10. Rival produces super line drives with the ping you want. Surge produces upward homerun flight for some reason. That being said, I want to see my son hit this bat once composite is broke down. Thats why I give it four stars. I believe it may come to life once it is broke in. If you want out of the wrapper pop, I would not recommend.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Coach

Pros: Improved bat speed due to balance. Has good pop for a new composite. My son hit a couple hundered balls prior to using in his last 3 games. He is hitting ropes. Not sure if its jump off the bat or better speed but big improvement over his CF4.

Cons: Everyone on his team wants to use it and I told him no

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
Mike

Pros: Lite swing weight, durable, solid, no sting. Good size for smaller framed kids.

Cons: Below avg pop, small sweet spot. Sorry Louisville but you made a mistake with this one. However we like most of your products, not this one.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
9 u

Pros: -12 bat speed is awesome! Kids are definitely hitting the ball farther.

Cons: Little pricey

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
DR

Pros: Nice colors...

Cons: Bat does not perform well after 6 weeks.

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
Drew

Pros: Good Pop right out of the wrapper. Very light and balanced for a big barrell bat. It is a great bat for smaller framed/lighter weight hitters.

Cons: It broke in two pieces after only four months of use. I am the only person to hit with it. Not that much use to break so easily! Really dissapointed with the durability. My Dad spent Full price $299.99. Should have all the Pros above with better durability for that price.

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
contact hitter

Pros: None, structurally flawed.

Cons: Broke two of these bats already. Second bat was used a total 4 at bats before it broke. Louisville Slugger will not warranty the last one. Will not buy their bats again.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
ike

Pros: light big barrel best bat ever

Cons:

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
tpx exo

Pros: This bat is nice until it brakes it broke during bp back to tpx exogrid 2

Cons: broke in 1 day

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
10U Dad/Coach

Pros: My son has a very slow swing speed & is very tall (5'3) for his age (9). Great choice for him to increase bat speed without giving up length.

Cons: Paint chips easily. In just 1 season had many chips in diffrent places.

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Anonymous

Pros: Lightweight

Cons: Durability

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
Demon

Pros:

Cons: saw three of these bats break in half in the last month, definitely not durable

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Dan

Pros: Very well balanced out, great pop for a BBCOR, paint doesn't chip, and the grip feels great.

Cons: None

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Steve

Pros: Bat is nice looking and meets all of the current USSSA standards

Cons: Bat was as dead as a rock at my first at bat, hoping it would improve I stuck with it for a couple of months but in the end I just threw it away due to the lack of performance

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
baseballer

Pros: looks amazing one of the best looking bats out there

Cons: NO POP lot of my hits were solid right on the sweet spot and it seemed like it didnt really shoot off the bat as fast i would like it

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
no4nydnyu7rf9u42fhnrhnfq0wnfjnrhfhrnhfn

Pros: amazing best ever

Cons: none

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Big Mike

Pros: Nice pop, big barrel and a big sweet spot. I recommend AAU use and starts out bad than gets better as you use it

Cons: Starts out bad than gets better

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Player

Pros: It has really good pop and it is very light for a bat its size.

Cons: The grip on the bat is weird.

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
Bat Man

Pros: Drop to weight ratio. Would be nice to have a 29 19 if it performed.

Cons: This bat felt like a dud the day we received it. It replaced a Triton II that broke in tournament. I use the bat to hit fly balls to son/team. At first I could hit ball to 250 yard fence with moderate effort. After 2.5 months of play, no matter how hard I swung, couldn't hit ball near the same fence. Sweet spot is quite small. Never had a good sound when contacts ball. I have since replaced with Easton S1 and Vexxum. I have many bats- as well as coach travel A team and private swing lessons. Suggest you avoid this bat from Slugger line of bats. We may have been unlikey in bat that we received, but wouldn't chance it since it never impressed me from day one. When having discussions with L Slugger, they, as well, admit bat was one of the poor performers.

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Left Foot

Pros: Had good pop and feeling when first purchased.

Cons: Lost its pop very quickly. I had it for less than a month and it would not hit well. The grip is no good.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Anonymous

Pros: My boy is 6 years old and plays pony ball and he is crushing the ball. He almost hit a HR last game and I reccomend this bat to anyone.

Cons:

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
SoCal Baseball

Pros: A great bat with great balance and a ton of pop for players that are smaller or looking for control and bat speed. Just purchased the next size up.

Cons: No complaints other than the -12 can lead to growing out of it fairly quickly.

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Edge21

Pros: Loved it at first. Bat had good balance and a lot of pop.

Cons: Broke in less than 2 weeks.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
bob

Pros: It just put the ping in my swing and is great for kids

Cons: None.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
The Stud dad

Pros: It has the ping that you would expect from a bat. My son previously had the Omaha and it worked great. My son is only 10 and I would recommend for 10-13 year old players.

Cons: None, it's GREAT!

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
Reds dad

Pros: Lightweight and well balanced. Great for younger and smaller kids 8U who need to work on bat speed.

Cons: Bat broke in half around the 10th game of the season. However, Louisville Slugger offered a replacement with any bat from their stock, including their most expensive and newest bats.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
tpx z1000

Pros: The Z-1000 has great pop and really no vibration when you hit it of the end. I've have hit 2 homers with the bat. If you are looking for a good bat this is the one for you.

Cons: None.

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Lafferty

Pros: I bought this bat in January of 2013. In May of 2013 it completely broke in half. It had hardly any pop out of the wrapper and just as it was getting broken-in when it broke completely in half. Keep in mind this was an 8 year old swinging it. My son has had his Easton Rival for well over a year and a half and it's still the best bat I've seen out there other than the Marucci Cat 5.

Cons: No pop out of wrapper, breaks easily.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
cool guy

Pros: nice bat, lot of pop,big sweet spot if you get it in big barrel

Cons: none this bat is amazing

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Biernuts

Pros: Very light, good price.

Cons: Made it halfway through the season and the bat broke completely in half. Louisville Slugger was great with replacing it though. Within a week it was replaced.

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1 Stars: Overall Rating
Lyndz

Pros: None.

Cons: It broke on the 2nd time my son hit it. Snapped in two. Must be a defective design as others are saying the same thing. Louisville Slugger will replace but not with equal bat. Very disappointed.

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4 Stars: Overall Rating
Slugger

Pros: The bat feels 5 ounces lighter than it really is. The barrel is heavy instead of having a rounded weight which makes bat speed much higher. I've had mine for 15 months and this bat has gotten the job done.

Cons: Loses pop very quickly.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
my son loves it !!!

Pros: Just want to know if it has to be broke in ???

Cons:

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
4 Stars: Durability
4 Stars: General Feel
5 Stars: Pop
4 Stars: Vibration
Amazing and the balance makes it feel lighter Greg Hemming coach

Pros: Pop right out of wrapper. I have 12 year old hit 2 of the first 3 pitches right over 225' fence. It is so balanced that it makes it feel light as wood bat and lighter than drop 5 XL1. The end load on many drop 5's don't help the 12-13 year olds and this makes the transition possible while still having the composite feel.

Cons: All BBCOR are drop 3 so those leagues that allow drop 5 this might be a negative but realistically they just swing same or 1 inch shorter bat and find MORE pop.

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3 Stars: Overall Rating
3 Stars: Durability
4 Stars: General Feel
3 Stars: Pop
3 Stars: Vibration
Good Bat Dylan player

Pros: Bat has some good pop, its pretty well balanced for a bbcor bat. It vibrates a litle when you hit it too close to the handle. Overall its a pretty good bat I'd recommend it to someone else.

Cons: paint scratches and chips easily.

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Questions and Answers

Have a question about the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z? Ask our team of experts and they will respond within 24 hours.

Besides barrel size, how does this compare to the Triton II? Which in your opinion has more pop? Vizslahunter
The Triton II and the Z-1000 are very comparable models. They both have a lot of pop, the Z-1000 is suppose to have slightly more pop than the Triton II
Sean
The Louisville Slugger website says that this is a 2 5/8" bat... your website says 2 3/4"... is your 2 3/4" clain incorrect? dibels
It is a 2 5/8 inch barrel. We have corrected the website.
Kara
If I had $250-$300 burning a hole in my pocket, which SR league bat has the most pop: Stamped Omen, new Easton S1 or new Louisville Z100? Thanks! Alison
Both bats will be good options. This is more of a personal preference. These 3 bats are composite bats with good pop and nice size sweet spots.
KG
Is this the only youth or senior big barrel with a -12 or are there any on the horizon you know of? I have a small 8 year old who plays up a year in kid pitch. Lazer
There is one other bat in a -12. It is the 2012 Louisville Slugger TPX Triton II: SL12T Senior League
Kara
I like the fact this bat is -12 'drop' for my 9 year old son. I was going to purchase the -9 TPX Exogrid (before seeing this bat), but I was concerned about the heavier weight. My question is: Weight aside, which bat is better? Coach Mike
The Z-1000 will be the better bat here. This bat will have very good pop and a nice size sweet spot.
KG
Do you forsee any other 27/15 bats hitting the market? Lazer
I've not heard of any coming out, any time soon.
Linda
slugger.com has this bat as 25/8" barrel you have it as 2 3/4". which one is it? Andy
This is a 2 5/8" barrel, if you look under the features it will show that.
Will
Which 2012 28(-12) all composite bat is more balanced? the LS Z1000 big barrel, the LS Triton big barrel, or the Easton S1 2.25. Also, is it true the LS Z1000 does not require a break-in period, i.e., it is game ready? Thanks. Tonto
The Z1000 does not require a break in. And of those listed, I would choose the Z1000. It has a very nice balance. Or the Easton S1.
Linda
in your opinion does the z100 or the vertex have more pop i love bats
They both are going to be great bats with a lot of pop! But, I would give a slight edge to the Z-1000 because it has a composite barrel and composite barrels tend to outperform alloy barrels.
Tony
if i am 10 about to turn 11 should i get -8 or -10 batlover
That will be a personal preference. Most choose a -10 but again that will depend on what you feel comfortable with.
KG
is there a drop 10 z1000 baseballmaniac
No. the Z-1000 comes in a -3, -8, or a -12.
KG
My son is a small statured 12 year-old, 4'6" and 72 lbs, plays on the top level team in our area, good contact hitter but needs more pop to help the team. Is this a good choice? What other bats would you consider? Don
Yes, this bat is a good choice. You could also look at an exogrid or a omaha if you like the feel of Louisville Slugger bats
Sean
Forgot to ask- what size would you recommend? 30-18 or 29-17? Don
It really just goes down to what he used previously, I would not go up more than an inch and an ouch in comparison to his previous bat
Sean
does the drop 8 z1000 have more pop than drop twelve batlover
No they are going to have the same amount of pop
Sean
Extremely interested in the bat, but cannot find a place to try it out at in Indianapolis. Any suggestions of dealer location in the area that is connected with you? jmwoods75
Well, JustBats.com is an online retailer and we do not have any store fronts. A few places that come to mind though are Arena Sporting Goods, Extra Innings, Kessler's and Dick's Sporting Goods.
TJ
Is this bat single- or multi-wall? pcarnette
It is single wall, but it does have inner discs in the barrel to ensure the walls of the barrel only flex to certain point in order to meet the set performance levels over the entire lifespan of the bat.
TJ
Son used Prodigy 27/17 as 8 year old in coach pitch. 28/16 or 29/17 for now 9 year old 50" tall and 60 pds? Thomas
Based on his height and weight I would suggest the 29/17.
K.B.
Does the 29" have the bpf and USSSA approval stamp? I had heard only the 30" and above received it. Scottt
Yes, this bat has a USSSA stamp on it in all sizes
Sean
looking at 3 bats Z-1000,Vecter & Lithium Edge for 11yr old 5'3" 120lb which bat gives the edge to a big boy G-wood
I'd go with the Z1000 in that match up.
Linda
i cant seem to find any customers reviews and or videos of this SL12Z senior bats, why is that? i want to hear from people who bought this bat before i buy it? hawn
This is a very good bat with tons of pop. The composite material in the bat will give the player more power and better offense. This bat has a balanced weight and will be Louisville Sluggers top of the line bat.
KG
My son is 5-feet, 70 pounds. Lightweight contact hitter. Loves the idea of the Easton S1 -10 bat, in part because it is advertised with vibration reduction. I think he needs a -11 or -12, at least in the big barrel that he wants. So between this TPX Z1000, TPX Triton II SL12T and the TPX Catalyst SL12C, which has the best: Pop? Durability? Vibration reduction? Cold weather performance? omahajo
Of the ones you listed, my choice would be the z-1000, awesome pop, great balance, durable with reasonable care. As to the cold weather thing, I always recommend a cheaper alloy bat for cold weather and batting practices, saves the wear and tear on your good bat.
Linda
Is this bat approved for play in Pony Baseball for 2012 ? PPWL
Yes, this is pony approved for 2012
John
I know you said the bat was PONY approved, but PONY is requiring a "approved for PONY" stamp besides the BPF 1.15 stamp. Does this bat have that PONY stamp? Chris
We contacted the rep of Pony League and the info given to us says, Any 2 1/4" "non wood" bat that is marked with the 1.15 BPF and stamped Approved by PONY league, is allowed, but on the big barrel, the 2 5/8" barrel it says "Any 2 5/8" barrel non wood bat bearing the USSSA 1.15 BPF stamp (that is not a -3) can be used at any level."
Linda
What are the significant differences between the SL12T and the SL12Z? KenO
Predominantly, the difference is the type of composite material used.
Linda
IS THIS BAT LEGAL TO USE IN USSSA TOURNAMENTS IN THE 12U DIVISION? BIGDADDY
Yes, this bat does have the required USSSA 1.15 BPF stamp on it, so it is legal.
Linda
Aside from the Easton Omen being a 2 Piece and the the SlZ1000 a 1 piece composite if you had to choose, which one would you say is the better of the two bats. why? THANKS Ron
It's really hard to answer that question because each bat offers something for a different type of batter. Power hitters prefer 1 piece bats and contact hitters tend to like 2 piece.
Linda
My son just turned 8 and is able to swing the Combat 28 18 oz -10. Will the -12 in the Z1000 make that much of a difference. Which do you consider a better bat, the Combat B3 or the Z1000? Rich
The -12 Z1000 is going to be 2oz. lighter than the -10 COMBAT, it might help him with a quick swing speed. If he is not having problem with swing speed, then I would go with the COMBAT B3
Ryan
Is this bat legal in the typical Nations and USSSA tournaments? I know it meets the base Nations Rules. But I think many tournaments add stricter rules sticking with a -10 drop for big barrels. marka
This bat is legal for play in USSSA sponsored tournaments, but you will want to check with your coach or league official.
Shelbe
is the 27-15 available in this model bowhunter
We will only show the sizes we have available.
John
I really don't know what to buy. Should I buy the TPX Z-1000 or the EASTON S1 bat? Both are composite, which should I buy? Eduardo
They both are great bats. It would come down to if you wanted a lighter drop as in the Z-1000 or settle in with a -10 drop that would be the S1.
John
Is there a noticeable difference in pop between this bat and the 2 5/8 -12 triton? Which bat Has a bigger sweet spot? 808boyz
The Z-1000 has a largeer sweet spot and more pop than the Triton. Both bats are 100% composite and will have good pop.
KG
Which would you choose for an 11 year old contact hitter 4'10 90lbs who previously used a 30/20 Easton SV12 a CF5, Combat B3, or the Z1000? He tends to have a lazy swing at times. Ivy
These are very good bats, either one of these will be good options. These bats have good pop and large sweet spots. This will be more of a personal preference.
KG
Which would you choose for an 11 year old 4'10 90lbs CF5 or TPXZ1000, Ton
Either one will be good. These bats have composite barrels and will have good pop. This will be more on what you like the best.
KG
does this bat have a stiff handle? batrup
One piece bats tend to have stiffer handles than two piece bats. However, it is composite so it will have more flex than a one piece alloy bat.
KB
my son is 9 yrs old, 52 inches and 60 lbs. used a 29/15.5 Williamsport bat last spring and fall. Playing travel this year and looking at the big barrel z-100 and Triton II , -12 drop bats. I have 2 Questions: 1)Would you suggest the 29/17? and 2)which if these have a lower MOI, which i believe determines if its a more balanced swing or more end loaded? Im assuming for his small size, the more balanced and less end loaded the better for him. Thank you Cardinal Man
Both bats are going to be well balanced. The Z-1000 used top of line technology for a low MOI and maximum performance. Based his height and weight I would recommend the 29/17.
Kara
I have had problems getting bats approved for my league. Is this bat Pony Baseball Approved? Jay
This Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 will be approved for Pony Baseball because it has a 2 5/8 barrel non-wood baseball bat.
Robb
Can a bat be to light to swing? DREWDO
This really depends on the player. Younger players that need quicker bat speed use lighter bats like the Z-1000 -12. Older players normally have quicker bat speed and move up to a -10 or -8.
Kara
My son is on a travel team this year and needs a bat. I am looking At the Louisville Slugger TPX T-1000 and need to know the size that is recommended. He is 3 months away from being 10 years old, weighs 95 lbs. and is 4'10" tall. Please advise. Thank you. Sportskid mom
A good length for that size of player will be a 30"-31" bat. A longer size will give him room to grow into the bat, lasting him longer. You may also want to try our Bat Coach listed above. This tool will be very helpful.
Kris
My son is on a 8yr old tournament team and is 4'4" and 69lbs. He has a little less bat speed than I would like but is a solid contact hitter. I bought the z-1000 27/15 to help increase his bat speed. Was this a good choice for him? Dennis
The SL12Z is an excellent choice for a player that needs to improve their bat speed.
KB
I am considering the Z-1000 for my son who is 160 lbs., 5' 5", and will be 12 in May. i'm looking at the 31" -8. Is this a good size? madlucas
Based on your son's height and weight either a 31 or 32 inch would be great for him. If you need any further assistance in selecting the right size for your son, feel free to use our bat coach feature located at the top of the webpage or give us a call at 1-866-321-2287!
Jennifer
My son has the SL12Z 28/16 I can not find this bat on the USSSA list of legal bats? Is it legal? Steven
This bat is legal for USSSA. The Z-1000 SL12Z features the new USSSA stamp on the taper that many leagues now require.
Kris
Trying to decide between the z1000 and the triton ii for our 8 year old. He is small framed- 46", 49 lbs. What's the difference in the two bats? Reviews seem very similar. How do we decide which to buy? Stacy
Other than some minor differences in composite material both the Louisville Slugger Z1000 and the Louisville Slugger Triton will be fairly similar. Both bats will provide a balanced swing weight and will require a break in period. You really cannot go wrong with either one!
Shelbe
My son plays 7U, he's 42" and about 46lbs. How does the Z-1000 compare to the Easton S1 JBB11S1 given the big price difference? Jeff
The 2012 Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is a youth big barrel bat designed to withstand kid pitch leagues with older players. The Easton S1 JBB11S1 is a coach pitch bat, that is only designed for coach pitch leagues with younger players and will not stand up against higher velocity pitches.
Jennifer
Does the TPX Z-1000 need to be broke in ? dad
Yes. The 2012 Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 is a one-piece composite bat and needs to be broken in. We recommend 150-200 swings off a tee or soft toss with real baseballs, rotating the bat 1/4" after each swing.
Derek H.
Why does the break in on these bats need to be off a T or soft toss opposed to being pitched? dad
Because it's low impact, tee or soft toss work will gradually break-in the composite material, and put much less stress on the bat once you take it out of the wrapper. The composite in the bat will be fairly stiff to start with and if you face live pitching before a break-in period, the chances of the composite cracking will increase during the bat's first few uses. The Z-1000 won't require a full break-in period though, as it features a technology from Louisville that allows it to perform at it's best from day one.
Tyler
What is the difference between this bat and the Louisville Slugger TPX Triton II? Both are composite, big barrel with a -12 drop and are the same price. Ken
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 and the TPX Triton II are both very similar bats. The main difference between these two is fact that they are made out of different composite materials.
Jennifer
Half of the reviews say "Great Pop", half of the reviews say "No Pop"...which is it honestly! Some say it needs break-in, some say not, which is it? If it does need break-in, what is the best method recommended for this particular model? Also, is this a "true" 18oz. bat when weighed out of the wrapper? Thanks in advance! MVC#23
Louisville Slugger claims the Z-1000 does not require a break-in period. However, we recommend all composite bats be broken in. Proper break-in requires 100-200 swings off a tee or soft toss. Rotate the barrel 1/4 inch every swing. We also recommend not to use composite bats in batting cages that use yellow dimpled balls.
Kara
The Z-100 and Triton II are my interested bats. I called Louisville Slugger and they said the Z-100 had a better grade of composite. Do you know if that tests as true? Dave
Yes, the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League uses higher grade composite materials for better performance and durability.
Kara
Is this a 100% composite bat? Baseballmom
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z is a one-piece composite bat.
Kara
Trying to determine if this would be a good bat for my 7 year old son. He's 50" tall and 50 lbs, definitely not a power hitter. First year in coach pitch, and also want to make sure this is legal for Pony League. Rob
Under Pony rules; "Only 2-1/4' barrel non-wood bats which are manufactured to achieve a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15 or less through the life of the bat are approved for play in PONY Baseball divisions." Thus, the Louisville Slugger SL12Z would not work for your son as it is illegal in PONY.
Tyler
Is this bat legal for Pony in the 2013 season? Zachary
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 is legal for play in Pony League.
Chad M.
What would be a better choice for Pony League, this bat or the Louisville Slugger TPX EXOGRID 2? Zachary
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 is legal for play in Pony League Baseball.
Robert
Ok, you guys need to figure this out. Is this bat legal for Pony or not. As I ready 2013 Pony, section 8, it says (C) that bats can be no larger than 2 5/8", then it refers specifically to (C)(2) bats that are -3 as needing to be BBCOR. LawDog
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z is legal in Pony League.
Tyler
Is this bat legal for a 12 year old in Cal Ripken? kevin
No, the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 would not be legal in Cal Ripken Leagues. Any composite bat has to be .50 BBCOR stamped and they come in a -3. This bat has a -12 weight to length ratio. A bat to suggest that would be legal is the 2013 Louisville Slugger TPX Omaha: SL136 Senior League. It is a similar swinging bat but is a one-piece alloy which is certainly legal for Cal Ripken play.
Chad M.
Why do we feel this bat is not legal in PONY? The PONY rules are convoluted. But I'm looking at this link and if I read thru to the bottom of the PONY section, there are clarifications that seem to suggest this bat is legal in PONY. Please advise. I am by no means a bat expert but the -12 specs on this big barrel bat is what I'm looking for. http://www.thebaseballbat.com/2012-bat-rules.html George
From what I gather 2 3/4" barrels are illegal. 2 5/8" barrel are o.k. Since it has the bpf 1.15 stamp and is not 2 3/4" barrel it should be good to go. Never a bad idea to ask a league official or coach.
Chad M.
Is this bat appropriate for a machine pitch leagues? How about for use in a batting cage? I've heard some bats are not appropriate for machine pitch or batting cage use but I'm not sure how to identify them. George
All bats that say senior league can be used in Machine Pitch Leagues and up to kid pitch. If it says junior big barrel it will be for coach's pitch.
Chad M.
My son is 7 1/2 years old. He is a contact hitter that plays travel and rec. ball. Which is better the Louisville Slugger TPX Z1000 or Easton S2? dad
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League bat will be a one-piece, fully composite bat. It will have a stiffer feel that power hitter's usually like more. I would have him stick with the S2. It will be very balanced and easy to swing. The two-piece design will only help the amount of vibration felt and his swing speed.
Brandon
My son is a 13 year old who hits for power and is looking for a -5 2 5/8" barrel bat. Can you suggest the correct bat for this? He prefers Easton. j-rod
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is too light for your son at a -12. We recommend the Easton XL-Series which is an end loaded bat preferred by power hitters. The 2013 Easton XL1: SL13X15 Senior League, which is a two-piece composite, and the 2013 Easton XL3: SL13X35 Senior League, which is a one-piece full alloy, would be great options.
Katie
Does this bat have a bigger sweet spot then 2013 Easton S2 -10 senior league bat. My son 12 years old, a good contact hitter and is looking for some more pop. What bat do you recommend of all the you sell. He uses a 30" 20 oz. dad
I would suggest the Easton S2. It is a two-piece bat which will add flex to his swing and will add bat speed which will add more power.
Chad M.
My son has been borrowing his teammate's Z-1000 28/16, but we would like to purchase one for him to have. I see from your website, that you do not carry that size. He is 8 yrs old, about 4 feet tall and 54 pounds. Is there another comparable bat that you could recommend? Elisa
The most comparable bat we have to the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z is the 2013 Louisville Slugger TPX Catalyst: SL13C. The Catalyst is in stock in a 28" 16 oz. model.
Tyler
Is this bat good for a 13 year old? t raw
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League would be perfect for a 13 year old contact hitter.
Chad M.
Is the -3 model of this bat discontinued? amar
Yes, the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League has been discontinued.
Chad M.
Is this a softball bat? Suleica
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is a senior league baseball bat.
Kevin
Could you use it in an USSSA tournament in 2013? player000
Yes,the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is USSSA approved for 2013.
Noah
Yes,the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is USSSA approved for 2013.
Noah
Since you no longer carry this bat in a size 27/15 could you tell me if a new version will be coming out or what would be a comparable bat to this in a 27/15 size? My son uses this bat from a friend and loves it but I can't find it in that size right now anywhere. Thanks! HSL
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League has been discontinued and they no longer produce the item. The 2013 Louisville Slugger TPX Catalyst: SL13C Senior League will be the most similar model.
John
Is this BBCOR certified? Does have to be for 13-14 year olds? bob
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is a -12 size bat. It would be made for the much younger hitters. At age 13 and 14 a -5 Senior League bat or a -3 BBCOR bat would be recommended.
Brandon
Are you allowed to use this bat in the Pony League, or 13 - 14? greg
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League will be a -12 sized bat. This is more suited for a hitter at a much younger age. At 13 and 14 years old the hitter should be swinging a -5 Senior League, to a -3 BBCOR Certified bat.
Brandon
Why was this bat discontinued? Puly
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 was replaced by the Louisville Slugger Attack which is a two-piece bat.
Damon
Will I be able to use this bat in 2014? jake
Yes. The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 has the USSSA 1.15 BPF stamp which is good for 2014.
Damon
Can you tell me what the difference is between a one- piece bat and two-piece bat? Is that referring to a full composite vs. partial composite? Tom
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is a one-piece fully composite bat. A two-piece bat can either be a two-piece fully composite bat or have a composite handle and an alloy barrel.
Kara
Is this bat approved for Babe Ruth League? Glenn
The Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000: SL12Z Senior League is not approved for any division of Babe Ruth baseball. It has a 2 5/8" barrel diameter, which is allowed in the 13-15 year old division, but all bats with composite barrels must be BBCOR certified in that division.
Mac
Can this Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 that has the USSSA 1.15 BPF be used in Junior Division (ages 13-14) Little League? jimmy C
Unfortunately, no. This Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 (SL12Z) Senior League bat does feature the newest BPF 1.15 stamp, but you are not allowed to use any bat with a 2 5/8" composite barrel in the Junior Division of Little League baseball unless it is a -3 BBCOR certified bat. This bat is a -12, so the difference in weight will be very noticeable.
Mac
Is this bat better for a contact or power hitter? BIG-E
The one-piece design of the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 (SL12Z) is best suited for a power hitter.
Kara
Show all 73 Questions and Answers about the Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z

About the Brand

In 1842, J. Frederick Hillerich emigrated with his family from Baden-Baden, Germany to the United States. Eight years before, the 1834 Book of Sports had made its debut as the nation's first publication covering baseball. But when he arrived in Baltimore, J. Frederick Hillerich would never have dreamed of the future impact his family would have on America's favorite pastime.

After a short while, the Hillerichs moved to Louisville, where J. Fred started a woodworking shop in 1856. Two of his sons, Adam and John Andrew "Bud" were born in the United States and would later join their father in his business. By 1864 "J.F. Hillerich, Job Turning" was in operation and filled orders for businesses by custom-turning everything from balusters to bedposts.

The firm thrived, and by 1875 the little woodworking shop employed about 20 people. In 1880 Bud Hillerich, who was an amateur baseball player, became an apprentice in his father's shop. Young Bud made his own baseball bats along with bats for several of his teammates.

The debate over the origins of the first bat continues to generate controversy among baseball enthusiasts, but the younger Hillerich was most certainly involved in getting his father's business involved with what would become the company's signature item. According to company legend, the first bat was turned by Bud for Pete "The Old Gladiator" Browning in 1884. Browning was a star on Louisville's professional American Association team - the Eclipse. On a spring afternoon Bud, then seventeen, witnessed Browning break his favorite bat. Bud offered to make a bat for his hero, and Browning accepted. After the young wood shop apprentice lathed a quality stick from white ash, according to the story, Browning got three hits with it in the next game.

Louisville Slugger gloves are worn by more pitchers in Major League Baseball than any other glove.

Bat Properties

Louisville Slugger TPX Z-1000 Senior League Baseball Bat: SL12Z
Approved For USSSA
Barrel Diameter 2 5/8
Baseball Bats Youth
Bat Type Baseball
Deals Closeout Bats Bundle and Save
Length to Weight Ratio -12
Material Composite
Vendor Louisville Slugger
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