The Best Softball Bat

Buying Guide

Using a baseball bat to play softball might seem like a fine idea but it’s actually not because of the essential differences between them. Organizations have specific guidelines for softball bat measurements, so if your child is playing, you’ll want to look at those.

Softball bats are about 1 inch longer that baseball bats; they’re usually 34 inches, and average baseball bats are around 33 inches. That’s because the distance from pitcher to plate is shorter than in baseball, plus the pitcher isn’t standing on a raised mound. Longer bats improve plate coverage.

As far as weight goes, slow-pitch softball bats average 28 ounces, and fast-pitch softball bats are often lighter. Softball bat barrels are also thinner than baseball bat barrels since softballs are larger and you don’t need as big of a sweet spot; it’s more critical for the bat to have less weight. Slow-pitch bat weights range from 25 to 30 ounces since there’s more time to swing; fast-pitch bats weigh 23 to 28 ounces.

When buying softball bats, it’s also essential to understand drop weight, which is the measurement you get when subtracting that bat’s weight from its length. So if a bat weighs 20 ounces and is 30 inches long, its drop will be -10. Lighter bats have higher drop weights; large, strong players prefer lower drop weights for more power.

Younger and smaller players can benefit from higher drop weights, as this can increase bat speed. Fast-pitch bats are usually measured by drop weight. These bat lengths range from 28 to 34 inches, and slow-pitch bats are usually about 34 inches.

Bats have five main parts: the knob, grip, taper, barrel and end. Softball bats can be made out of aluminum alloy or composite. Aluminum ones often contain other metals and are thought to be more durable; composite bats have layered materials like carbon fibers and frequently have bigger sweet spots.

Also, think about if you want a balanced or end-loaded bat; balanced ones have an even weight distribution throughout and offer more control, while end-loaded bats have more weight in the barrels for increased power.

• The central governing bodies for fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball are USSSA, ASA, NSA, ISA and ISF. Look for bats that are certified by these organizations.
• You don’t need to break in alloy bats as you do with composite ones, so you’ll need to practice hitting before playing with the latter.
• End-loaded bats are recommended for power hitters.