9 year old has been using a mako for the past two travel ball seasons but the ball never really jumped off it like we were hoping for. i got him the dirty south w.a.r and i tell you what it is hot right out of the box. we went to hit with it the night we got it and he was crushing the ball like never before. at his first practice, he was hitting the fence and all the kids tried it! now 3 other players have ordered them. if you are looking for a hot bat this is it!! we will never buy another brand as long as 