Barrel compression describes the scientific method used to measure the deflection (or flex) of a baseball or softball bat barrel wall, replicating what may happen when the barrel is impacted by a pitched ball. The barrel compression method may be performed in a lab with high precision barrel compression machine, capable of measuring barrel compressions accurate to the ±0.01lb), or performed on-field using hand-held devices, that while not as accurate, are much more portable.
