Softball Bats Buyers Guide

Softball Bats Buyers Guide Information Links

Softball Bats Buyers Guide Information Links

Glossary of Terms
About Bat Alloys
Deciding on Bat Weight & Length
Softball Bats
Recommended Bat Length by Weight and Height Chart
The Right Bat For Your Game
Softball Bat Certification
Links - Softball Governing Groups
Latest Softball Bats Standards
Grandfathered Bats
Illegal / Legal Bats
ASA Non-approved Bat List
Adult Softball Bat Pricing
Composite Bats
Liquid Metal Bats
Links to Hit! Run! Score! Softball Bats


We at Hit! Run! Score! have put together this Softball Bat Buying Guide in the hope you will utilize the information to at least reduce the trauma of buying a bat. This guide is not exhaustive, we simply don't have the space for that, we do hope however it provides the information you want to make an informed purchasing decision. Should you have a question not answered in this buyer's guide please feel free to call our knowledeable customer service staff. If we don't know the answer we will endeavor to get it for you.

Unless you are actually in the business, bat manufacturing seems overrun with confusing technical terminology which is meaningless unless you learn the lingo. Hopefully this glossary of terms will be helpful. If you don't find the term your looking for here try doing a Google search of the term on the web. If you can remain patient you will find what your looking for although it may take some time.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

MINUS (-)10 DROP: Refers to the differential between the length and weight of a bat. As an example a (-)10 bat would be a 30in. length 20oz. weight bat. Generally speaking fastpitch softball bats range from (-8) to (-13) drop i.e. (-8) 34in/26oz with a (-13) 27in/14oz. Fastpitch softball bats generally range from 30in length to 34in length. Slowpitch softball bats are typically 34in in length with variable weights (drops)available.

HALF AND HALF TECHNOLOGY: The barrel of the bat is made of one material while the handle of the bat is made of another. Usually the handle is a composite material while the barrel is aluminum alloy creating a two-piece construction bat which some say increases the "trampoline effect."

(1) Our thanks to Dr. Daniel A. Russell Applied Physics, Kettering University, Flint, MI. for his tireless efforts in pursuit of a better understanding of the dynamics of a baseball / softball bat striking a ball.

Click here for Dr. Russell's homepage: Physics and Acoustics of Baseball and Softball Bats

www.kettering.edu/~drussell/bats.html


(1) TRAMPOLINE EFFECT: "A baseball experiences a certain amount of deformation during its collision with a baseball bat. During the collision the barrel of the bat compresses and expands appearing to throw the ball away. This phenomenon is unique to hollow (metal and composite) bats and gives rise to what is called the "trampoline effect."

(1) VIBRATION DAMPENING: "There are several aluminum bat models with vibration reduction mechanisms which attempt to reduce the vibration that causes hand discomfort. If you grip a normal aluminum bat lightly in one hand, at the top hand location on the handle, and tap the barrel end of the bat on the floor you will feel a buzz in your whole hand. Doing the same with a bat that has a vibration reduction system results in significantly less buzzing sensation the surprising thing is that bats which effectively damp out the vibration in this example still cause sting in the top hand for hits at the taper."

(1) SWEET SPOT: "Trying to locate the exact sweetspot on a baseball or softball bat is not a simple task, because there are a multitude of definitions of the sweetspot. For most bats all of these "sweet spots" are at different locations on the bat, so one is often forced to define the sweetspot as a region, approximately 5-7 inches from the end of the barrel, where the batted-ball speed is the highest and the sensation in the hands is minimized. When a ball hits an aluminum bat away from the sweet spot the batted ball will usually go farther than a ball hit by wood off the sweet spot."

BAT PERFORMANCE FACTOR (BPF): Most aluminum bats have BPF values near 1.20 and some super high performing bats have BPF values around 1.30 or higher. The legal limit set by USSSA, ISF and NSF is BPF 1.20, we'll discuss the ASA requirements later. Little League youth bats must pass with a BPF rating of 1.15 or lower.

LONG BARREL PROFILE: Refers to a bat with the maximum legal diameter measuring the longest from the end cap to a point where the barrel begins to taper down providing larger contact surface and theoretically a larger sweet spot.

ROTATION INDEX: A DeMarini innovation designed to extend bat life. A series of numbers encircle the base of the bat barrel. The first time you use a bat with a rotation index pay attention to the number facing you when you hit. After every hit simply rotate the bat to the next number. Utilizing this method evens out the number of hits on the barrel and will reduce flat spots which could occur over time.

DOUBLE WALL: The barrel of these bats have two ultra-thin walls independent of each other but spaced close together. The intent of this design is to intensify the "trampoline" effect and indeed independent testing has proven double wall bats provide an edge in performance. The downside is doublewall bats dent easier and are more expensive.

CARBON LINING: Manufacturers add a carbon lining to increase strength most notably Easton. The Easton C-Core and Z-Core bats have carbon fiber bonded to the inside of the barrel walls for increased strength and durability.

VARIABLE WALL THICKNESS: This process allows the manufacturer to put stronger, thicker areas next to thinner areas and is purported by the bat maker to make the bat less likely to dent.

CRYOGENICALLY TREATED ALUMINUM: Alloy is frozen and reheated to provide greater durability, less vibration and 2-4% greater distance.

GRAPHITE BATS: Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, graphite bats are either made of a graphite-fiber composite material or have an aluminum core with graphite lining.

TITANIUM BATS: Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, titanium bats generally have an aluminum core and titanium lining or wall. Some softball associations, notably both the ASA and USSSA have banned the use of titanium bats in their sanctioned softball leagues. Check with your league before purchasing a titanium bat to ensure they are league approved. These are very expensive bats and can create an unecessary headache should you discover after the purchase you can't use the bat in your league(s) play.

LIQUID METAL BATS: The zirconium and titanium based Liquidmetal alloys achieved yield strength twice that of conventional crystalline titanium alloys with superior elasticity, up to three times that of other alloys. Due to their non-crystalline (amorphous) structures, the materials are harder and more elastic than alloys of titanium or aluminum used in similar applications.

BARREL: The widest portion of the bat generally measuring between 2.25 inches and 2.75 inches in diameter.

TAPER: Refers to the handle diameter which must fit a player's hands comfortably providing a good grip. Most bats taper is 31/32 of an inch with some being 29/32 of an inch.

GRIP: Bat manufacturer's use leather, sythetic leather, composite material or rubber on the tapered end of the bat where the player grips the bat to swing. Generally leather grips provide the best hold but don't perform as well if they get wet. Rubber absorbs vibrations better than the other materials but typically doesn't hold up as well.

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ABOUT BAT ALLOY'S

Next we'll take a look at the various alloy's used in today's aluminum bat manufacturing. Most modern bats are made of aircraft-grade aluminum supplied by Alcoa or Kaiser. Variations in the alloy formula have resulted in stronger alloys, allowing the manufacturers to design bats with thinner shell walls, which in turn correspond to lighter weight bats. Be careful of bats -11 or lighter that don't state the type of alloy used. These bats may be made of an alloy too weak to support the thinner wall needed for the light weight.

Standard aircraft aluminum is designated in the trade as “7046.” Most budget bats are made of this grade. “7050” grade alloy includes a small amount of copper, and is approximately 33% stronger than 7046. Over a decade ago Alcoa branded its 7050 grade “CU31” and began marketing it in Slo-Pitch bats as the first high performance alloy. The “CU” designation refers to the addition of copper to the alloy.

Alcoa’s “C405” is the next higher grade, supposedly about 10% stronger than CU31. C405 was introduced within the last decade, quickly followed by C405 Plus and C405 Ultra, which are the same alloy manufactured under different processes. The strength difference between C405 and C405 Ultra is only about 5%. C405 Ultra is, therefore, about 38% stronger than standard aircraft aluminum. “7075” is a newer alloy by Kaiser that is claimed to be equal to or better than C405 Ultra.

Kaiser’s Sc500 Scandium, and Alcoa’s C500 and C555 represent the next level up. C500 and Sc500 Scandium are about 3-5% stronger than C405 Ultra, respectively. C555 is claimed to be about 7% stronger than C405 Ultra, or about 40% stronger than standard aircraft grade aluminum.

The next and very substantial improvement in bat alloys was Sc777, made by Kaiser. While the other exotic alloys only offer incremental strength gains over CU31, Sc777, if the claims are true, represented a truly big leap: about 50% stronger than C405. This means that Sc777 is nearly twice as strong as standard aircraft aluminum. The latest in the continuing race for the "perfect" bat alloy is Sc888 and Sc900. The general names for alloys from lowest to highest are: 7050, CU31, C405, SC500, SC555, SC777, SC888, and SC900 both touted to be improvements on the SC777 in strength and durability.

Armed with all this information regarding baseball/softball bats (probably more than you realized was available or ever wanted to know) your now in a position to make your purchase. Whether you make the actual purchase on-line or at your local retail outlet is mostly a matter of personal preference. Regardless of where you make the purchase it is a good idea to "test" out the bat first. Test means to have the player hold the potential purchase in the hitting position and actually swing it thereby getting an idea of whether the bat is too long or too heavy.

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DECIDING ON BAT WEIGHT & LENGTH

It's best not to purchase a bat which is too heavy for your player. Rather than growing into the bat the player will develop bad habits that will be difficult to correct later on, not to mention poor self esteem because the overly heavy bat keeps the player from successfully hitting the ball. Generally speaking if the bat is the proper size the player should be able to stand in the batters box in the hitting position and with arms extended be able to reach the outside edge of the plate. If the bat extends beyond this point it's too long, can't reach this point, it's too short. As for weight one rule of thumb is for the player to hold the bat in one hand (which ever is the top hand on the bat) and extend it out fully holding this position for at least 8-10 seconds. If the player can't do this the bat is too heavy. If in doubt about two bats it is always better to err on the side of the lighter bat.

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SOFTBALL BATS

Before getting started it would be helpful to review the glossary of terms (above) to familiarize yourself with many of the terms synonymous to baseball and softball bats.

The differences between baseball bats and softball bats, while not huge are very important.

At the Little League Baseball and Softball level there is no difference between a baseball and softball bat they are one and the same. It is however a different story at the adult level where there are important differences between baseball and softball bats as well as between slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball bats.

Length represents one of the differences between baseball bats and softball bats with the most common length for baseball being 33 inches, fastpitch softball 31-32 inches, slowpitch softball 34 inches and youth bats being 29-30 inches.

Weight is another significant difference. Obviously Little League bats are the lightest, with fast-pitch softball bats and slow-pitch softball bats heavier and wood bats the heaviest. Please see the Recommended Bat Length by Weight and Height chart (below) to help determine which bat would be the best for you.

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Recommended Bat Length by Weight and Height   Your height (inches) Your weight (pounds) 36-40 41-44 45-48 49-52 53-56 57-60 61-64 65-68 69-72 73+ Bat length (inches) 60 or less  26in 27in 28in 29in 29in           61-70 27in 27in 28in 29in 30in 30in         71-80   28in 28in 29in 30in 30in 31in       81-90   28in 29in 29in 30in 30in 31in 32in     91-100   28in 29in 30in 30in 31in 31in 32in     101-110   29in 29in 30in 30in 31in 31in 32in     111-120   29in 29in 30in 30in 31in 31in 32in     121-130   29in 29in 30in 30in 31in 32in 33in 33in   131-140   29in 30in 30in 31in 31in 32in 33in 33in   141-150     30in 30in 31in 31in 32in 33in 33in   151-160     30in 31in 31in 32in 32in 33in 33in 33in 161-170       31in 31in 32in 32in 33in 33in 34in 171-180           32in 33in 33in 34in 34in 180+             33in 33in 34in 34in

The information in this chart is a generalization and meant only as a guide in helping you choose the correct length and weight bat for your unique circumstances. Make sure before you actually purchase any bat you take the time to feel it and swing it, that your comfortable with your choice. An old general rule of thumb is hold the bat in your lead hand (i.e. a right handed batter would hold the bat in their left hand) and while holding the bat extend your arm out as far as possible holding this position for at least 10 seconds. If you can't do this the bat is too heavy. It may not be the brand you intend to purchase and that's ok as long as it is the length and weight you've decided is correct for you.

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THE RIGHT BAT FOR YOUR GAME

Is it possible to play softball with a baseball bat? Yes, as long as you understand you would be using a bat (baseball) somewhat shorter than the game (softball) your playing and the bat (baseball) is a heavier weight bat. Performance, when compared to the latest softball bat would suffer to some degree, it would compare more favorably to an older lower performance softball bat.

Is it possible to play baseball with a softball bat? Yes, as long as you were willing to replace the bat (softball) in a very short period of time as cracking or potentially even breaking the bat (softball) is probable. Simply put softball bats are not designed to withstand the stress of impact from a harder object (baseball).

Is it possible to play fast-pitch softball with a slow-pitch softball bat? Yes, but its probable you would not like the decrease in performance (yours, not the bats) due to the heavy weight thereby reducing your swing speed and making it more difficult to hit a fast-pitch ball.

Is it possible to play slow-pitch softball with a fast-pitch softball bat? Yes, but most likely you would damage the bat and be forced to discard it.

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SOFTBALL BAT CERTIFICATION

There are eight major governing groups for softball in the USA. Two of these groups, the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) regulate college and high school softball respectively. One of these groups, Little League has its own rules and regulations for softball. The other five groups set the rules for playing softball under the auspices of their particular association. All eight of these organizations have rules and regulations governing all aspects of playing the game of softball including specifications for bats.

For your convenience we've included links to all of the major softball governing groups.

For the latest softball bat requirements from your governing organization click the link below:

Click here for the ASA homepage: www.softball.org
Click here for the USSSA homepage: www.usssa.com
Click here for the NSA homepage: www.playnsa.com
Click here for the ISF homepage: www.internationalsoftball.com
Click here for the ISA homepage: www.isasoftball.com
Click here for the NCAA softball bat rules page: www.ncaa.org
Click here for the NFHS home page: www.nfhs.org
Click here for the Little League home page: www.littleleague.org

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LATEST SOFTBALL BAT STANDARDS

After two years of testing both in the field and in the laboratory the ASA put into effect their newest bat standards entitled the ASA 2004 Bat Standard. The new standard stipulates the ball exit speed (a pitched ball post collision with a bat) must achieve a rating of less than 98 MPH with either slow-pitch or fast-pitch equipment and must meet the BPF 1.20 standard. The testing must be done in an ASA approved facility, not the manufacturer's, though obviously its in the best interest of the manufacturer to ensure their bats meet the new standards. Recalls are expensive and serve to engender some degree of customer bad will. All softball bats meeting these standards will be stamped with the new ASA 2004 certification logo.

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GRANDFATHERED BATS

The ASA required bat manufacturer's to stop production of older bats with the previous ASA 2000 certification by the end of June, 2004. These bats had an exit speed of 100 MPH. The ASA has allowed players to continue to use ASA 2000 approved models with the higher exit speed indefinitely as long as they carry the ASA 2000 certification stamp and are on the ASA approved list. Over time and through attrition these bats will disappear from ASA play.

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ILLEGAL/LEGAL BATS

Some softball bats have an exit speed greater than 100 MPH. Bats in this category are illegal for ASA play. These bats currently are still legal in USSSA and the other softball governing bodies (excluding the NCAA, NFHS & Little League) as long as the association uses 1.20 BPF as its standard.

For your convenience we've included a link to the ASA's most current (updated December 2005) non-approved bat list.

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Click the Link Below For ASA Non-Approved Bats:

downloads.softball.net/pdf/2006-Non-Approved-Bats.pdf

Some of the softball governing organizations use the ASA 2004 Bat Standard to set the rules for what is a legal bat in league play for their particular organization. A notable exception is the NCAA accepts the ASA 2004 Bat Standard but stipulates the bat MUST have the ASA 2004 certification stamped on the bat for it to be legal. The NFHS accepts the ASA 2004 Bat Standard, requires the bat to be listed on the ASA site of approved bats but does not require the bat be stamped. The Little League has its own set of rules for a bat to be approved. The other governing bodies do not adhere to the ASA 2004 Bat Standard, rather they have their own set of rules for bat certification which more closely adheres to ASA's 2000 bat standards.

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ADULT SOFTBALL BAT PRICING

You will discover an extremely broad range of prices when shopping for an adult fast-pitch or slow-pitch metal softball bat. Generally, new fastpitch bat prices range from a low of around $79.00 to a high of $299.00 with an "average" price range between $179.00 and $239.00. Most new slow-pitch bats range in price from $69.00 to $399.00 with an "average" price range between $229.00 and $279.00. Bat manufacturer's make "new" model bats and begin marketing them months prior to the actual season they have been designated for. For instance bats earmarked for the 2007 season are actually marketed in mid-2006. Sometimes the only thing "new" about next years model is the paint job (and the price). It's best to read the specifications carefully, comparing the newest model against previous years models. Sometimes you can find last years model at a reasonably discounted price with a performance rating which is as good as or perhaps better than the "new" model. Caveat Emptor (Latin for "let the buyer beware") is certainly good advice when making an investment in a metal or composite softball bat. Its not necessary to be afraid, it is important to be informed.

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COMPOSITE BATS

Although composite bats have been around for almost two decades, due to several technological advances they are enjoying a revival of significant proportions in todays baseball and softball bat market and are considered by many to be the "bat of the future."

All the major bat manufacturer's as well as several smaller ones have a few, if not many, composite bats in their catalog. These days composite bats come is a wide variety of state of the art materials including, but not limited to, graphite, carbon fibre, glass fibre and Kevlar.

Todays composite bats come in several "different flavors" including all-composite bats, bats with composite handles and aluminum barrels, bats with composite outer shells over aluminum barrels, and all-composite double-wall bats.

All-composite bats are attractive to the buyer because they are more durable than aluminum bats, much lighter than aluminum bats and allow the player to develop greater swing speed which translates into greater distance. All-composite bats, the latest "craze" to hit the market provide some marked improvements over previous generations of metal alloy bats. Lighter, stiffer and stronger the only "down side" one can see to this latest tecnological advance in bats is the investment needed to acquire one.

Of course there is a price for incorporating this technology into baseball and softball bats and providing what any player ever having played the game lusts for; distance. The price; composite bats are among the most expensive bats on the market. But perhaps the distance coupled with improved durability justifies the expenditure.

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LIQUID METAL BATS

Liquid Metal (currently exclusive to Rawlings)

At its 2003 global marketing and product launch meeting held May 1 in St. Louis, Rawlings unveiled a new line of baseball bats featuring Liquidmetal Pure Energy TransferTM technology. The product group will feature a full line of Rawlings Liquidmetal bats for adult and youth baseball as well as women's fastpitch softball.

Taking advantage of Liquidmetal Technologies' proven history in high-performance coatings, Liquidmetal engineers and Rawlings designers worked with numerous product variations to develop a baseball/softball bat that would offer superior durability while dramatically reducing the energy loss experienced with other materials upon impact with the ball. The revolutionary Liquidmetal technology is currently exclusive to Rawlings for baseball and softball bats.

Liquidmetal Technologies (www.liquidmetal.com) is the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of products made from amorphous alloys. Amorphous alloys are unique materials that are characterized by a random atomic structure, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure possessed by ordinary metals and alloys.

The zirconium and titanium based Liquidmetal alloys achieved yield strength twice that of conventional crystalline titanium alloys with superior elasticity, up to three times that of other alloys. Due to their non-crystalline (amorphous) structures, the materials are harder and more elastic than alloys of titanium or aluminum used in similar applications.

Baseball bat manufacturer's are quick to adopt and exploit new materials, notably titanium. They usually require lighter and stronger products. Some of the characteristics making Liquidmetal alloys ideal for high-performance bats are:

• Pure Energy Transfer with less vibration
• Excellent inherent low frequency vibration damping
• 10 times as elastic as comparable super metals
• Nearly 3 times the strength of its counterparts
• 2-3 times more resistant to permanent deformation than conventional metals
• More than twice the hardness of titanium and stainless steel
• Superior edge retention and wear resistance
• Non-corrosive
• Stain and rust proof

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LINKS TO SOFTBALL BATS AT HIT! RUN! SCORE!

For your convenience we've included links to all of the softball bats we carry at Hit! Run! Score!.


For the latest in softball bats click the appropriate link below:

• Fastpitch Softball Bats

• Easton Fastpitch Softball Bats
• DeMarini Fastpitch Softball Bats
• Worth Fastpitch Softball Bats
• Akadema Fastpitch Softball Bats
• Rawlings Fastpitch Softball Bats

• Slowpitch Softball Bats

• Miken Slow Pitch Softball Bats
• Easton Slowpitch Softball Bats
• DeMarini Slowpitch Softball Bats
• Worth Slowpitch Softball Bats
• Akadema Slowpitch Softball Bats
• Brett Brothers Wood Slowpitch Softball Bats

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