softball bats

Easton 2011 Rival -12.5 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $149.99 THT aluminum. Expanded sweet spot. / barrel. Approved for all softball associations. Available Sizes /. oz., /. oz., /. oz., /. oz., /. oz. Alloy Composite.Fastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Easton 2011 Reflex -12 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $69.99 aircraft alloy. Evenly balanced for maximum speed. Thin / handle with cushioned grip. Approved for all softball associations. Length Weight Alloy AluminumFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Easton 2011 CV12 -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $199.99 THT ultra-thin aluminum shell for greater durability and higher performance. Lightweight composite inner tube. Slightly end loaded for more power. Hot mph performance. / barrel. Approved for all softball associations. Length Weight Alloy CompositeFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Easton 2011 CV12 -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Slowpitch Softball Bats $199.99 THT ultra-thin aluminum shell for greater durability and higher performance. Lightweight composite inner tube. Slightly end loaded for more power. Hot mph performance. / barrel. Approved for all softball associations. Length Weight Alloy CompositeSlowpitch Softball Bats - Slowpitch Softball Bats

Rip-It 2012 Force -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $269.99 The legendary Force by Michele Smith gives the elite player the edge they need while playing competitive softball. Hitters will find the power balanced design provides a fast, smooth swing. -day warranty. -day refund policy. Length Weight AlloyCompositeFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Rip-It 2011 Force5 -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $249.99 BCT (Beyond Composite Technology) feels and sounds like a composite. Balanced swing for maximum distance and control. Vibration dampening grip. Approved for all softball associations. -day, money-back guarantee (see below for details). Length Weight Alloy Tempered BallisticFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Mattingly 2011 Balistk -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $279.99 full-length composite frame provides unmatched comfort and feel. Full Metal Jacket alloy barrel shell for performance and durability. Traditional round handle. Approved for all softball associations. Length Weight Alloy Composite.Fastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

DeMarini 2011 J2 USSSA Slowpitch Softball Bat - Slowpitch Softball Bats $299.99 Designed with a thinner handle for hardcore tournament players who prefer a more end loaded feel. Pitch Black Plus stacked composite barrel provides a bigger, more powerful sweet spot. . BPF. Not ASA approved. Length Weight Alloy Composite. Slowpitch Softball Bats - Slowpitch Softball Bats

Worth 2012 Mayhem -11 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $49.99 composite construction, optimized handle flex, and balanced loading result in a consistently high performing softball bat. Barrel is made solely from composite materials. Balanced weight distribution for maximum bat control and consistency. Approved for all softball associations. Available Sizes / oz., / oz., / oz., / oz., / oz. Fastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Worth 2011 Toxic -11 Fastpitch Softball Bat - 29 18OZ - Fastpitch Softball Bats $49.99 High strength aluminum bat with - length to weight ratio, this bat is ideal for softball players looking for combinationof durability and performance. Length Weight Alloy Aluminum Fastpitch Softball Bats - 29 18OZ - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Worth 2012 454 Senior Slowpitch Bat - Slowpitch Softball Bats $199.99 multi-layer composite material extends sweet spot . One-piece composite construction produces the largest sweet spot in the industry. . BPF. Length Weight Alloy CompositeSlowpitch Softball Bats - Slowpitch Softball Bats

Easton Adult Thunderstick Training Bat - Training Softball Bats $49.99 Eastons Thunderstick enhances your hand/eye coordination with an undersized diameter barrel. Master this stick and youll hit any pitch! Size / oz.Training Softball Bats - Training Softball Bats

Easton Youth Thunderstick Training Bat - Training Softball Bats $44.99 Eastons Thunderstick enhances your hand/eye coordination with an undersized diameter barrel. Master this stick and youll hit any pitch! Size / oz.Training Softball Bats - Training Softball Bats

DeMarini 2012 GLT Cartel Slowpitch Softball Bat - Slowpitch Softball Bats $299.99 When the competition is fierce, take your performance to the next level with the GTL Cartel. The .ONE composite barrel is designed to create one of the stiffest composite bats with a solid feel and responsiveness of a one-piece bat. SC alloy handle and end loaded weight distribution provide maximum performance. Endcap is a dish cap design that pushes energy back into the barrel. Approved for USSSA, NSA, ISA. Length Weight Alloy CompositeSlowpitch Softball Bats - Slowpitch Softball Bats

Softball Bat Materials And Legal Issues

Softball bats were at one time made chiefly of wood, but advances in technology have introduced materials such as aluminum, graphite, and composites. Each material has its positive and unique features.

Wood: Wood softball bats are very rare but are slowly regaining favor with softball enthusiasts who would rather hear a whack and not a ping when the bat meets ball. A wood softball bat is bottle-shaped and can weigh between 32-35 ounces (around 8 ounces heavier than an aluminum bat). Traditionally, wood bats have been made from ash. However, ash is light and soft and bats made from ash tend to splinter and dent fast. Wood from maple, oak, and bamboo is also used for these bats. Maple is harder and its grain is denser as compared to ash, making it less susceptible to splintering and chafing. Bats made from Chinese bamboo are the closest wood bat equivalent of an aluminum bat. Bamboo is extremely light-weight and ha a tensile strength higher than that of steel.

Aluminum: The increased research and engineering in the science of bat making has resulted in high-tech aluminum softball bats that can cost upward of $300. Aluminum bats are lighter thereby enabling batters to generate greater bat speed and control. They are stronger and more durable than wood bats and they do not break; however, they may dent or crack over a period of time. Aluminum bats are available in different alloy and weight combinations. Light aluminum alloys that are thinner are more resilient and provide a larger hitting zone or "sweet spot". Aluminum bats are made in single-layer and double-layer combinations; double-layer bats are used by the power-hitters.

Graphite/Titanium lined: Aluminum bats are lined with graphite or titanium. These light, durable, and strong materials are added to aluminum bats with thin walls in order to make the bats lighter. Lighter bats help batters to generate more power in their swing. Bats lined with graphite or titanium have a greater hitting zone or "sweet spot". These materials are shock-absorbent as well and aid in reducing the shock felt when a stroke is mistimed.

Composite materials: Bats made from composite materials such as carbon, glass, or Kevlar are light weight, rigid, and sturdy. Composite materials enable bat manufacturers to incorporate varying strengths and stiffness in different parts of a bat. The result is a bat with stiff bat handles for greater control, low stiffness hitting areas for better performance and reduced shock, and differentiated swing weights. Bats made from composite materials have a large hitting surface with a more pronounced "sweet spot". However, the extreme velocities at which the ball rebounds off the bat can pose a safety hazard to the pitcher who has to react in a very limited time.

Softball Bats That Are Prohibited

If your league is anything like most leagues in Colorado, you probably receive a list of illegal bats at the beginning of each softball season. Maybe the list is handed out at your manager's meeting, or maybe it is posted on your softball league's website, either way, you need to be conscience of that list when selecting a bat.

Why are there illegal bats?

There are two main reasons that softball leagues issue illegal bat lists. The first is for the protection of the players, mainly the pitcher. Every day the bat companies are inventing new technologies that are equipping players essentially with bats that more resemble artillery launchers than traditional softball bats. This puts the pitcher, in particular in danger. Depending on your league rules, the pitcher will be around 40-50 feet from the mound after the release. (Also, depending on your league rules, the pitcher may be 4 or 5 beers into the evening after the release).

The strength of some of the players, combined with the new technology of the bats put the pitcher in a very precarious position as a line drive comes scream towards his/her head. And don't forget the pitcher isn't the only one who should be concerned for their safety, infielders, particularly third base and shortstop, when righties are up, and second base and first base, with lefties, also can get quite a lump on the noggin from a hot shot off some of these enhanced technology bats.

The second reason behind issuing illegal bats is fairness of play. Recreational softball should not be won by the team that can pay the most for bats, and rest assured the newer the technology, the higher the price.

Recreational softball is played by millions so that they can go out and have fun for an hour or so a week. If a team is plunking homerun after homerun into the lake on the other side of the fence, the game will get tedious and boring. Restricting the power behind the bats, will keep more balls in the park and make the game more fun for both teams.

These are the two main reasons that recreational softball leagues issue an illegal bat list. Before you purchase a bat, make sure you check the illegal bat list for your league.

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