A good baseball swing requires sound mechanics. The upper and lower body work together, the head stays up and the eyes are focused on the baseball. When swing mechanics break down, the hitter has little chance of making solid contact. A late swing is a common result of faulty mechanics. Breaking down mechanics from top to bottom and making proper adjustments is the best way to increase bat speed.
Softball bats and inner sleeves are engineered to specific requirements to ensure the barrel of the bat momentarily compresses on impact. A sleeve that's too thick can affect the compression factor and reduce the bat's power. I...
During the games, each player uses various pieces of equipment from team and individual sponsors. For example, DeMarini and Miken are team sponsors for bats. While softball remains a worldwide sport, it was removed from the Oly...
Base running and positioning on the basepaths is one of the underappreciated aspects of softball. Most of the glory in softball goes to pitchers who can dominate the game with fast pitches that can reach speeds of 70 miles per ...
Pulling a muscle by simply swinging at a pitch is not an uncommon occurrence, even for professionals who have been doing it for more than 20 years. If you believe you have pulled a stomach muscle from swinging a bat in softball...
From the first softball game in 1887 to the late 1960s, batters came to the plate with a wooden bat. In 1969, sporting goods manufacturer Easton introduced the first aluminum bat made for everyday play. This revolutionized the ...
End caps are inserted into the bat's barrel to provide even distribution of weight and protect the inside of hollow softball bats. Sometimes, dirt and debris along with normal wear and tear will require that you remove and repl...
Coaches usually have an assistant or a scorekeeper's whose primary job is to keep score of every game and record each at-bat that occurs during the game. Keeping score and recording at-bats not only tells the story of each hitt...
One of the key factors in building a consistent and repeatable swing is making sure you have a bat that you can handle. Players may be drawn to heavier bats because they think it can bring greater distance, but heavier bats als...
Softball bats are sold in a variety of sizes, materials and styles. Choosing a softball bat is not done by simply picking one off of the shelf and purchasing it. A softball bat must fit your individual playing style with comfor...
Hitting a softball is a challenging, but fundamental, skill. Although softball batting averages tend to be higher than those in baseball, it is still likely that a softball player will fail to reach base more often than she get...
Composite softball bats require a breaking-in period before they are at their best. During the breaking-in period, the composite materials break down slightly, creating an accelerated rebound effect when you swing and hit the b...
Miken is one of the world's most recognizable brands and offers many options. The American Softball Association has strict standards for which bats are legal, and Miken makes bats that meet those specifications for many age gro...
Being able to locate a softball and estimate its speed and location is difficult enough, but then a softball player must have the accuracy to strike the ball with a bat. Doing so with strength and precision requires excellent m...
Softball batting practice tips will help you improve your player's hitting techniques as well as their stances. While batting practice tips often focus on mechanics, more general batting practice tips can be offered to players ...
Baseball and softball are similar in many areas, including the playing fields and types of equipment. However, the design and shape of the bats for each sport have slight differences, since they are made specifically for their...
Whether you're a fast-pitch college player or simply enjoy playing with your work office's beer league team, few things feel as good as swinging the bat and cracking a softball pitch, sending the ball sailing over everyone's he...
Using a wooden bat is a more traditional approach than using the rapidly advancing technology of aluminum or composite bats. The Phoenix Bats website explains that many softball leagues in the United States have banned aluminum...
Powerful changes occur to both the bat and ball at the very moment contact is made. Both the bat and ball are bent or changed because of the collision, which affects the speed and trajectory of the batted ball.
As the technology used to make softball bats improved, and as bats were made with new and better materials, the exit speed of the softball after contact increased significantly. For a time, the offensive team had an unfair adva...
As of 2011, the ASA has over 245,000 registered softball teams with over 3.5 million players. With this amount of teams and players within the ASA, there are certain regulations and requirements for equipment and bats. Each bat...
Determining the size and weight of the softball bat that you will use is largely a factor of your experience, ability and the type of hitter that you are. The key factor for hitters at all levels of the game is comfort.The bat ...
The best softball bats won't improve your form or strength, but they can increase the speed at which the ball leaves the bat and improve your offense. One key to finding the best bat is finding a bat that helps you attain your ...
The two prevailing types of bats in softball are aluminum and graphite composite bats. Although aluminum bats were introduced first and remain a longtime favorite, composite bats have superior mechanics and stronger materials. ...
When you shop for a new bat, you discover a dizzying array of choices. Bats differ in length, construction, material, barrel length, loading, weight. The weight of the bat helps to determine the speed of the ball after you hit ...
Before you can work on your swing mechanics, you must first choose a bat that suits you. Softball bats come in various sizes and weights. A bat that is too heavy and long for you will make it more difficult to swing and cause s...
Softball bats aren't the same as baseball bats -- they are shorter and narrower, making it more difficult to hit the softball. This also makes softball bats lighter and easier for younger players to handle and swing with ease. ...
Some softball bat vendors advertise that their bats are hot right out of the package. They do this because it is commonly understood that bats improve after they've had some use, presumably hitting a couple of hundred balls. Th...
Differences include the distance of the home-run fence and bases, pitching rubber and the size of the ball. Softball pitchers throw the ball underhanded, while baseball pitchers throw over the top. The difference in bats is sub...
Baseball bat donuts are weights that range from around 1 to 2 lbs. added to the bat barrel to make it heavier. You only use the weights for practice swings against air, not to actually hit the baseball. The idea is that swingin...
The market has been flooded in the 21st century with baseball and softball bats that employ technologies that the manufacturers claim set their bats apart. It can be overwhelming trying to decide which bat is right for you. Two...
Bat speed in softball is one of the determining factors when it comes to hitting the ball hard on a consistent basis. When you generate increased bat speed and make square contact with the ball, you have a chance to get maximum...
As bat manufacturers develop new materials and technology, the BPF ratings kept increasing, giving an advantage to the batter. As a result, major softball organizations adopted specific bat regulations limiting players to using...
Choosing the right softball bat depends on your size and strength. There are written charts that offer general guidelines for selecting the appropriate length and weight of a bat. However, these are only general guidelines. The...
Easton is a major manufacturer of softball equipment, including bats. Two of the most popular models of softball bats include the Stealth and Synergy, with specific models of each designed for fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball...
At that time, the USA Softball National Team Selection Committee held tryouts and formed the final Olympic roster. Since that time, Olympic softball players have used a variety of bats while leading the U.S. to Olympic medals. ...
Softball leagues, including fast-pitch and slow-pitch, encompass youth, high school, college, recreational and coed. Within each league, players are often restricted to specific bats that meet rules regarding materials, feature...
Softball equipment manufacturers produce a variety of bats for different ability levels, body sizes and league rules. While the original bats were made from heavy alloys, new technology uses different materials and manufacturin...
Although young players may use the same bat for both baseball and softball, most professional softball players use bats specifically designed for the game. The history of the softball bat is as long as the history of the game i...
Softball, originally referred to as indoor baseball, uses aluminum and alloy bats that withstand a variety of slow and fast-pitch plays. Although accustomed to metal bats, softball bats were no different than wooden baseball ba...
If you are a line drive hitter or a slap hitter, you are more likely to succeed with a lighter bat with more flex and a longer sweet spot through the barrel. So even though Easton Synge is the top-rated bat by softball websites...
DeMarini Sports was founded in 1989 by Ray DeMarini, a professional softball player who did not enter into the professional arena until age 40. When the company first began, it operated out of a barn with a dirt floor. As the c...
Picking the right softball bat is an important decision for softball players because performance can be greatly affected by the choice of bat. There are many considerations to be made because bats come in varying lengths, weigh...
When baseball started, players made their own bats that resulted in many shapes and lengths. As baseball and softball become regulated sports pastimes, bat manufacturers and regulators created baseline standards for length, wei...
The differences in bats for fast pitch softball are significant. A slugger who produces home runs with regularity needs one type of bat to prosper. A speedy leadoff batter who specializes in bunting her way on base or slapping...
Men's softball batting tips are designed to improve your stance at the plate as well as help you get more power behind your swing. While many batting tips will suggest a simple change in your stance or technique, others will re...
Youth league-aged girls grow quickly, and a bat's performance depends heavily on its size relative to the player. It's a good idea to let her play with the team's bats for awhile until she develops a batting style and a prefere...
In softball games today, the Amateur Softball Association of America regulates bats because of the performance-enhancing effects that have become possible through advances in technology. According to ASA's 2002 Era Study, as ba...
Softball bats come in a variety of materials, with most players opting for nonwood bats. The main material for softball bats is aluminum, with a variety of materials added for different playing characteristics. Some recreationa...
Softball bats have different requirements and demands than baseball bats. Players look for larger sweet spots and faster swing speeds to drive the ball farther and improve the play of the game. While wooden bats were the mainst...
Bat speed has an effect on how far you hit the ball, how hard you hit the ball and even if you hit the ball at all. To hit the softball better you can increase your bat speed with training and equipment changes.
Hitting in fast-pitch softball can be a challenging experience. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 mph from a distance of 46 feet. That's about the equivalent of a baseball pitcher throwing better than 90 mph.As a r...
Breaking in a bat has been the standard practice ever since softball bats have been made out of aluminum and composite material. Breaking in a bat was never even considered when softball bats were made out of wood. Breaking in ...
Players must practice to attain the hand-eye coordination necessary to make contact. They must develop the arm, leg and back strength necessary to produce adequate bat speed. A simple and repeatable swing and the proper grip is
Worth Sports began producing baseballs and softballs in 1927, and now the company manufactures a plethora of softball products, including the Toxic bats. As of October 2010, there are eight different Toxic softball bats: four f...
The bats used by Little League baseball and softball players have similar dimensions. The bats used in advanced levels of baseball and softball display significant differences regarding the length and weight, physics professor ...
The National Collegiate Athletic Association requires compliance testing for all regular and post-season softball bats. The testing ensures equality between the offense and defense, as well as a higher level of safety. Bats app...
End-loaded softball bats are popular for home run derbies and exhibitions, but they have been banned by most amateur, professional and scholastic leagues. End loading a bat changes its "sweet spot," allowing more momentum to ge...
Swinging the bat in softball correctly takes quite a bit of preparation. You need to select a bat that you can handle with ease. Hitting the ball for distance is about generating bat head speed at impact with the ball. If your ...
Defining a good softball bat is largely a matter of personal preference, but there are many things to consider when you're looking for the perfect bat. You should take into account the bat's material, size, weight distribution,...
Body shops drill a hole in the dent, insert a screw and attach a dent puller to the head of the screw. But the hole must be filled with bondo or brazed, which might alter the weight and balance of a bat. Better aluminum bats ar...
Most aluminum bats have an end cap at the tip of the head that can be removed. Doing so opens the bat's interior for modification, such as shaving. Shaving the inside of the bat can increase the velocity and distance of a hit b...
Breaking in the stiff leather of your new softball mitt is an enjoyable and essential first step. You will need to break in your new mitt for several days or even weeks before using it in a game, according to Hit! Run! Score! S...
Technological advances and enhanced manufacturing materials have strengthened the bat's durability and boosted its overall effectiveness. "The intent of this design is to intensify the 'trampoline effect,'" states Softball Bats...
These include size, weight, materials and the technology behind the bat. Looking at each of these features will help you choose a bat that is tailored to your size and purpose. Ultimately, the perfect softball bat is a matter o...
Loading a softball bat is part of the process of hitting the ball hard. When you load your bat, you get all of your weight and momentum on your back leg before the pitcher throws the ball. The idea is that when you are leaning ...
With an almost endless array of different bat models, weights, lengths, types and construction, choosing the right bat for you is a quite a task. Many experienced softball players will still find themselves experimenting with d...
According to The fabricator.com, 95 percent of all baseball bats used in the United States for amateur events are made of aluminum. Wrapping the grip of a bat supplies support and comfort to a softball player, but over time, gr...
The right softball bat is a matter of opinion. When it comes to aluminum bats, looks are of the least importance. It is how a bat feels, and how it works for the softball player, that makes all the difference. As for the grip, ...
Softball players typically strive to be great hitters, and using the correct softball bat can help you to reach that goal. If you are searching for a new softball bat, you should consider several different factors before buying...
Softball bats have come a long way since the wood bats used up until the 1970s. Today's bats, made of durable aluminum alloy or composite materials, represent years of bat innovation and research. These bats feature more durab...
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) certifies bats that meet performance standards based on bat speed. For a bat to receive the ASA certification mark, it must first pass the current 2004 ASA bat performance stand...
Nearly all of today's aluminum and composite softball bats have a limited number of hits in them. To maximize its lifespan, it is important to take proper care of your bat. You will get the most out of your softball bat investm...
To choose the softball bat that works best for you or your daughter, choose a bat that is the proper length and then swing as many bats as you can. Settle on the bat that feels best in your hands and that you can swing smoothly...
The barrel of a baseball bat is larger than that swung in a softball game. Its weight distribution is different too. These facts and others about the bats used each game are rooted in the essential differences between baseball ...
Softball players are always trying to increase their batting average and the probability of getting a hit. Shaving your softball bat can indeed give you that advantage. The process of shaving your bat involves scraping the inne...
Hitters often like the feel of the bat after it's been broken in, but do not like having to wait through several hundred at bats to get that powerful feeling. A bat rolling machine can stretch the fibers before you use the bat,...
Your height, strength, coordination and experience are factors in determining which softball bat is the best choice for you. Whether you play slow or fast pitch softball, and you're league's rules will also affect your purchasi...
It's responsible for the integrity of the sport includes certifying equipment used in the game, including bats used in game play. The ASA works with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and National Collegiate
The best way to break in a new softball bat is to simply use the bat repeatedly to hit softballs. Aluminum softball bats are ready to go after purchase. The breaking-in process does not change the bat at all, but it does acclim...
By utilizing this testing process, the ASA is better able to attribute a player's performance to her skill rather than the model of her bat, enhancing the integrity of the game.
Improved technology has allowed manufacturers to create softball bats that enhance the player's batting abilities and improve hitting results. Softball bats were originally made from wood, but now most are aluminum. The highest...
Buying the right softball bat starts with knowing the correct size and weight of bat for your size and strength. The most expensive, modern, best-made bat may not help you play to your potential if it's too long or short, or to...
Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. That's the equivalent of a baseball pitcher who can throw a fastball at 95 mph in baseball. You need good bat speed and must swing deci...
Holding a softball bat correctly is the first step towards learning to hit. Girls who play organized fast-pitch softball quickly learn how hard it can be to hit the ball with authority on a consistent basis. One of the keys to ...
Hitting a softball can be one of the most difficult things to do in competitive sports. Those who play recreational slow-pitch softball would have a hard time agreeing with that, but competitive softball played at the high scho...
Softball bats are gripped the same way a baseball bat is gripped. That's because they are designed similarly to baseball bats and are used in an identical swinging motion. The proper grip will generate maximum power in your swi...
Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 mph from distances of 43 to 46 feet. That is the equivalent of a 95-plus mph fastball in baseball (60 feet, 6 inches). As a result, softball hitters must have a keen eye for ball...
Softball bats have variables that can influence how easy it is to hold and swing, as well as the kind of impact and energy transfer the bat gives to the softball when you hit the ball. These variables are controlled by differen...
The value of breaking in a softball bat depends on the type of bat you use. Aluminum bats rare need to be broken in because wear and tear will only decrease the quality of the bat. Composite bats, on the other hand, work best w...
Softball players must carefully consider their options when purchasing a new bat. Bats feature different materials and styles that can affect players' swing and hitting distance. Players also need to choose a bat that is the be...
Hitting the ball consistently in softball can be a difficult task. Softball hitters who are facing pitches that can fire the ball at speeds of close to 70 mph from a distance of 45 feet face a formidable task, indeed. When thos...
Unlike baseball bats, all softball bats are made from aluminum or composite materials. Shopping for these bats can be stressful if you don't know what you're looking for. This is especially true for children's bats--while it se...
Though you may consider the dirt and stains on your softball bat to be signs of experience and practice, it may get to the point where all that experience has made your bat downright dirty. While a dirty bat doesn't often impai...
If you're in the market for a new softball bat, don't assume they're all the same. While most bats look the same, the qualities that separate one from another are often found in the internal structure. The type of bat you shoul...
While a dirty softball bat is often an indication of a bat that has been well loved, over time, it can begin to look downright filthy. If you've noticed lately that your old aluminum bat has lost its shine, it's time to conside...
Taping the handle of a softball bat can help to improve the grip and make it easier to hold and use. For sanctioned competition play, it is important to follow American Softball Association rules when applying tape to a softbal...
Baseball and softball are similar sports, but the balls that are used for each sport are drastically different in size, material and weight. For this reason, baseball bats vary greatly from softball bats. When looking for a sof...
There are many different types and sizes of softball bats, and choosing the right bat can be simply a matter of preference. Softball bats are balanced according to length (inches) and weight (ounces), and your size or batting s...
Softball bats have undergone many changes through the years. Wooden bats were primarily used through the 1970s, but in that decade metal bats were introduced. Those bats have undergone many changes through the years, and most b...
Softball bats are smaller in diameter than baseball bats. Wooden softball bats with leather handles or handles wrapped in white medical tape started the sport and still show up in backyard softball games nowadays. Wooden softb...
Young softball players learn very early that they can't hit the ball if they take their eyes off of it. To accomplish this, the batter's stance must allow the batter to keep the head still as he swings. It's not enough to keep...
