DeMarini 2023 The Goods (-10) USA Baseball Bat - 28 inch , 29 inch , 3 inch
✅ PROS
- Hot out of the wrapper with a stiff alloy barrel that delivers noticeable pop on contact, especially for a USA stamp bat
- Balanced swing weight at -10 makes it forgiving for younger hitters still developing bat speed
- Tactile grip and tapered knob reduce vibration sting on off-center hits
❌ CONS
- Alloy barrel dents more easily than composite on cold-weather hits; several buyers report dents within weeks
- Not ideal for power hitters already swinging -8 or -5; the lighter swing weight sacrifices mass behind the ball
- USA stamp limits exit velocity compared to USSSA bats, so travel-ball players may outgrow it quickly
The Verdict
The Good, The Goods, and The Honest Truth
If you’ve shopped youth bats lately, you know the USA Baseball stamp is the great equalizer — and the great frustrator. It limits performance to keep the game fair, which means most USA bats feel dead. The DeMarini 2023 The Goods (-10) is one of the few exceptions that actually delivers on its name. But it’s not without compromise.
What’s in the Box
You get the bat itself. Nothing more. No bat bag, no grip tape, no warranty card that matters — just the alloy one-piece with DeMarini’s signature “The Goods” branding down the barrel. As shown in the product image, it’s a clean, aggressive look: matte finish, bold graphics, and a tapered end cap. Available in 28", 29", and 30" lengths, all with a -10 drop weight. That means a 28-inch bat weighs 18 ounces — light enough for younger players to swing with control.
Performance and Build Quality
The barrel is a single-piece alloy construction, which is the right call for this price point and age group. One-piece bats transfer more energy to the ball than two-piece designs, and you feel it. Multiple buyers describe the pop as “hot out of the wrapper” — one parent noted, “My son hit farther his first game than he did all last season with his composite.” That’s the alloy advantage: no break-in period, just instant feedback.
The -10 drop makes it a contact hitter’s dream. It’s balanced, not end-loaded, so players can get the barrel through the zone quickly. For 8- to 11-year-olds still developing bat speed, this is the sweet spot. The grip is DeMarini’s standard tacky tape, and the tapered knob helps reduce hand sting — a small detail that matters when kids are swinging 50 times a practice.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
The recurring theme in positive reviews is the power-to-weight ratio. Buyers specifically call out the “stiff feel” and “no vibration on mishits” as major wins. Parents also appreciate that it doesn’t require the typical 100-200 swing break-in period that composite bats demand. It’s ready on day one.
Where It Falls Short
Here’s the honest part. Alloy dents. It’s physics. Several reviewers report dents after hitting “off-speed pitching machine balls” or “batting cage balls that were cold and hard.” This isn’t a defect — it’s the nature of alloy barrels. If your player is facing live pitching only and you’re not feeding them rock-hard cage balls, it’ll last. But if you’re a cage rat family, budget for a shorter lifespan.
Also, the USA stamp is a ceiling. If your kid is a 12-year-old crushing the ball and moving toward travel ball with USSSA rules, this bat will feel limiting within a season. It’s built for the recreational and early-competitive levels, not the elite showcase circuit.
Who Should Buy This
- The 8-11 year old transitioning from tee-ball to coach-pitch or machine-pitch. The -10 weight is forgiving, and the pop gives them confidence.
- Parents who want immediate performance without a break-in period. No babysitting this bat — it works from swing one.
- Players who prioritize bat speed over raw power. If your kid is small for their age, the balanced swing weight is a game-changer.
Skip It If
- Your player is already swinging a -8 or -5. They’ll find this too light and sacrifice power.
- You’re in a cold-weather climate and mostly use hard cage balls. Alloy + cold = dent risk.
- You’re shopping for USSSA/travel ball. Get a USSSA-stamped bat instead; the USA version will hold them back.
FAQ
Q: Does this bat need breaking in? A: No. It’s one-piece alloy, so it performs at full strength from the first swing. Composite bats need 100+ swings; this doesn’t.
Q: Is the -10 drop too light for a 10-year-old? A: Depends on the kid. If they’re average size and still developing bat speed, -10 is ideal. If they’re already hitting with authority, consider a -8 for more mass behind the ball.
Q: How does it handle cold weather? A: Poorly, like most alloy bats. Keep it above 60°F when possible. Cold balls and cold bats increase dent risk significantly.
The Verdict
The DeMarini 2023 The Goods (-10) is a solid, honest bat for its intended audience. It delivers real pop for a USA-stamp model, feels balanced and controllable, and requires zero break-in. The 4.2-star rating across 210 reviews reflects genuine satisfaction — with the caveats you’d expect from an alloy bat in a performance-limited category.
Buy it if your young player needs a reliable, hot-out-of-the-box bat for recreational or early competitive play.
Skip it if you’re chasing USSSA-level exit velocity or your player is already swinging heavier drops.
Rating: 4.2/5 — A great option for the right player, with honest limitations that don’t make it a bad purchase, just a specific one.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.