We purchased this for my husband to use with our grandchild in our back yard. We used it less than a year and he "Out-grew" it in our backyard. We should have had it when he was younger. The Accubat is in excellent condition and ready to be used.  Maybe it helped our grandson because as a high school junior and earned a baseball scholarship to a Big Ten school.The bat is ready for baseball/softball season--any time of the year. The booklet is full of coaching tips and drills. Would make a great Christmas present!