Choosing the proper softball bat can be one of the most significant and challenging choices a batter must make. The most important factors to consider while selecting a softball bat are feel and comfort. Though there are standards for weights, heights, and drop sizes, ultimately it comes down to personal comfort.
To unleash your potential on GAMEDAY, you ultimately want to hold the bat that feels the most natural in your hands at the plate.
Defining “Drop”
The expression “it is a drop” is frequently used while discussing or buying the best softball bat. It highlights the distinction between the bat’s weight and length. There are rules about which drop bats can be used in softball that are set by various leagues and regulating bodies. In fastpitch softball, there are five main governing organizations.
The National Softball Association (NSSA), USA Softball, Independent Softball Association (ISA), United States Specialty Sports Association (USA), and International Softball Federation (ISF) are these organizations. The ASA has the strictest regulations for bats, thus if the bat is certified by the ASA, it probably meets the rules for your particular league.
An Overview of Bat Technology
Consumers can choose between two primary technologies for softball: alloy and composite. Composite bats can be built with metal layers spread throughout, primarily consisting of carbon fiber. This allows the bat to seem balanced or end-loaded. Composite bats often have bigger sweet spots than alloy bats and can assist in reducing the stinging feeling that comes with misshits. We can also discuss softball bats.
Youth softball players and Little League players are more likely to use alloy bats, sometimes referred to as aluminum bats. Aluminum bats have been in use for a long time since they combine two more metals, not just one layer of them. If you have ever heard an aluminum bat make strong contact, you will hear a loud “Ping” sound that a composite softball bat won’t produce as often.
Little League Softball Bats
The rules for selecting a bat’s length and weight for youth softball are remarkably similar to those for selecting a baseball bat. There are more recommendations for softball, though, regarding which drop bat to use. The majority of bat companies recommend using a -12 to -14 bat for children 8 and under, a -12 to -10 bat for ages 8 to 14, and a -11 to -8 bat for ages 14 and over, based on the majority of online research.
Therefore, we should consider bats ranging from a -12 to a -14 for young softball players. Using this chart as a guide will help you choose the right bat length. If your hitters need to choose a softball bat, you should probably get them one that is either 26 or 27 inches long. Based on the previously mentioned guidelines, that corresponds to around 12 to 15 ounces. Similar to choosing a baseball bat, the hitter’s bat should only reach approximately hip height. You’ll have the best bat control during your swing if you do this.
A smart way to choose the correct softball bat is to hold the bat in the middle of your chest and see whether you can reach the barrel with your hands. whether so, that bat is a decent length. Your choice of bat ultimately boils down to feel and strength. Finding a happy medium between bat weight and size is up to the player. It’s critical for hitters to always feel explosive and have strong bat speed.
Adult and Teen Bats
Balanced and end-loaded weighted bats are the two primary varieties used in softball. Because end-loaded bats create whip through the strike zone, hitters tend to use them for maximum power. When solid contact is achieved, the whip that is produced will assist in striking the ball with greater force.
Due to the additional weight that is frequently in the barrel or close to the end of the bat, these bats will feel a little heavier. Because the weight of the balanced bat is equally distributed throughout, it won’t feel as heavy. Which bat is superior? Everything is dependent on how you feel. It is entirely up to you as a hitter to select the kind of bat that makes you feel the most at ease and, more importantly, doesn’t interfere with your swing mechanics.
Soft Balls: Pitching Velocity
At The Vault, one question that comes up frequently is about pitching more quickly. We’ve witnessed it for years at the nearby softball fields. When batters see a pitcher with a higher velocity, the coach or parent instructs them to use a lighter bat. At The Hitting Vault, this is not the method we teach.
Our attention should shift to the load and gather a portion of our swing when we notice that opposition pitchers are throwing with greater velocity. We start our load earlier when pitching at a greater velocity, and we start our load a little later when pitching at a slower velocity.
Conclusion
Selecting a softball bat gets a lot simpler once you understand your strength, skill level, and plate mechanics. As time goes on, you’ll get to experience a variety of bat technologies and get a sense of the one that best fits your playing style. Choosing the best softball bat ultimately boils down to feeling and what will allow you to inflict the most damage at the plate. There is no right or wrong answer!
