2026 Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA Slowpitch Bat Review
The heaviest-loaded Empire yet: Greg Connell's one-piece senior bat stretches the triple-wall barrel to 13 inches and sets it up Motherload for SSUSA sluggers who want every ounce out front.
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How we score ↗How big and forgiving the barrel is — based on barrel length, construction (one- vs two-piece, alloy vs composite), and how it plays on balls hit off the center. A primary driver of the overall score.
This bat: The 13-inch triple-wall barrel is long and hot for senior ball.
Raw exit velocity and distance. We use measured numbers from freely available independent testing when they exist; otherwise construction and consensus, judged against the certification’s performance ceiling. A primary driver of the overall score.
This bat: Motherload end weighting is the most Easton offers — built for distance.
Comfort and feedback on contact — vibration dampening from the knob/connection, the sting of a stiff one-piece vs a smooth two-piece, and the sound off the barrel. A primary driver of the overall score.
This bat: Stiff, connected one-piece feedback.
How well it holds up and how the company stands behind it — documented cracking/denting reports, cold-weather behavior, and the brand’s real warranty record. Good to know, but weighted lightly in the score.
This bat: Triple-wall senior layup is proven, but no warranty backs it.
Our take on price-for-performance — the overall package weighed against its cost and what comparable bats run. Shown for context; it is NOT factored into the overall score (price changes too often and is personal).
This bat: Signature-priced, but currently under MSRP.
Why this score: Scored just above the 12.75-inch Empire Loaded 1-Piece on sweet spot and power for the longer barrel and heavier load, with swing-weight friendliness marked down for the same reason. No independent lab data exists for senior slowpitch bats, so this is a spec- and platform-based score.
Our Review
The 2026 Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload is the big-barrel, big-load member of the Empire senior family. It keeps the one-piece Empire recipe that senior hitters already know — a Triple Wall composite barrel with the 150 handle flex and a Power Boost soft knob — but stretches the barrel to 13 inches and moves the weighting up to Motherload, Easton's heaviest end-load setting. The result is a bat that carries maximum momentum through contact and is aimed squarely at the strongest senior swings; if the standard Loaded one-piece Empire felt manageable, this one will feel noticeably heavier at the cap. The triple-wall layup is tuned for the higher-compression senior ball, and the one-piece build gives direct, stiff feedback with no connection to soften it. Weights run 25.5, 26 and 27 oz in 34 inches, and it is approved for SSUSA and ISA senior play. Like the rest of the Empire senior line there is no manufacturer warranty, which is worth weighing against the price. This is a specialist's bat: outstanding for the hitter who wants a 13-inch senior barrel with the most load Easton offers, and simply too much bat for a balanced-swing player.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 13-inch triple-wall senior barrel gives a long hitting surface
- Motherload weighting drives the ball deep for strong senior hitters
- Direct, stiff one-piece feel that power hitters prefer
Cons
- Heaviest load in the line — not for balanced-swing players
- No manufacturer warranty on Empire senior bats
- Only three weights offered
Full Specifications
| Brand | Easton |
|---|---|
| Model | Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Certification | Slowpitch |
| Sport | Softball |
| Construction | One-piece composite (Triple Wall 13" barrel, 150 Handle Flex, Power Boost Soft Knob) |
| Model # | ESS6EGC1X |
| Drop | — |
| Barrel | 13" |
| Swing Weight | Motherload (heaviest end load) |
| MSRP | $279 |
Where to Buy
2026 Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA Slowpitch Bat — FAQ
Is the 2026 Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA a good Slowpitch bat?
We rate it 8.7/10 (Grade A). The heaviest-loaded Empire yet: Greg Connell's one-piece senior bat stretches the triple-wall barrel to 13 inches and sets it up Motherload for SSUSA sluggers who want every ounce out front.
Is the Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA Slowpitch-legal?
Yes — it's Slowpitch certified by the certifying labs. Certified for USSSA / NSA / ISA slowpitch play.
How much does the 2026 Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA cost?
MSRP is $279. We've seen it for $249.99. We list the lowest price across CheapBats and Amazon on this page.
New to buying bats? Read our bat sizing guide, certifications explained, or browse all guides.
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Sources: CheapBats — 2026 Easton Empire Greg Connell 1-Piece Motherload 13" SSUSA (ESS6EGC1X) · Smash It Sports — ESS6EGC1X