EXOARMOR Finish MLB Ink Dot Maple Bone Rubbed C243 Turning Model Large Barrel/ Standard Handle Maple is preferred by more than 70 percent of Major League players, these bats are known for their surface hardness, unmatched sound and solid feel upon contact. The closed grain structure of the Maple wood lends itself to a more durable surface strength and stiffer feel. The C243 is the original large barrel bat. As aluminum bats became a part of the game, the demand for large-barreled, thin-handled bats led to the popularity of the C243. Every large barrel turning model since has been a slight modification from this model.