Composite Softball Bats

In the market for composite softball bats?

Hello softball fans!  What’s the good word? Any thoughts on the
next season? What kind of equipment you playing with these days? Well, if
you’re in the market for a bat you’ve come to the right place! Today’s topic is
top performing Easton slow pitch composite softball bats . It’s never easy making a
purchase that can potentially bust the bank and your batting average in one, so
hopefully this list will help make things easier. Let’s get to it shall we? In
no particular order. Our Top 5 Enjoy!

1. Easton 2012 SCG1 CV12 ASA Slowpitch Bat

THT100 Aluminum alloy for greater durability, strength and toughness High performance ultra thin aluminum shell design with lightweight composite inner tube 12” slightly end loaded barrel for more power Ultra thin 29/32” tapered handle 98 MPH performance.

2. Easton 2010 Stealth Tri-Zone SCN15BH ASA Brett Helmer Bat

* IMX Composite * Handle Flex Rating-75 * VRS Rating-95 * Hitting Area Rating-100 * Swing Weight (M.O.I) Rating-95 * Extreme 100+ MPH performance * 12″ short barrel, CXN design * End loaded for more power * Ultra-thin 29/32″ tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip * Brett Helmer signature series model

3. Easton 2010 Synergy Tri-Zone SCN16 Slow-Pitch Bat

* IMX Composite * Handle Flex Rating-90 * VRS Rating-85 * Hitting Area Rating-* Extreme 100+ MPH * 13.5″ extended barrel, Single System Technology * Ultra-thin 29/32″ tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip

4. Easton 2010 SV12 SSV2 Slow-Pitch Softball Bat

* IMX Composite Handle/V12″ Scandium Barrel * Handle Flex Rating-65 * VRS Rating-90 * Hitting Area Rating-90 * Swing Weight (M.O.I.) Rating-70 * EASTON’S O-Zone Optimal Hitting Zone Technology * Ultra-thin 29/32″ tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip * 12″ barrel length * Forged end with concave Mother Load pre-loaded end cap for maximum power.

5. Easton 2010 Stealth Tri-Zone SCN15 Slow-Pitch Bat

* IMX Composite * Handle Flex Rating-75 * VRS Rating-95 * Hitting Area Rating-100 * Swing Weight (M.O.I.) Rating-90 * Extreme 100+ MPH performance * 13.5″ extended barrel, CXN design * Slightly end loaded for more power * Ultra-thin 29/32″ tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip.

Well, there you have it! Next time you’re in the market for some top performing composite
softball bats (and you have some cash to play with), hopefully this list will help you get off the fence.

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Hello softball fans! Thanks again for joining us here at
compositesoftballbats.org! How’s life treating you? How’s the wife/husband? How
are the kids? How’s fido? He’s dead? Oh, sorry. Better yet, how’s that spiffy new composite
softball bat you just purchased? Breaking-in alright? Well, if not this article
is just what you need to solve that conundrum. So, once again sit back, tune-out
the distractions, tear into a bag of David sunflower seeds and enjoy the
following strategies on how to break-in  new composite softball bats:

First thing you need to know is that there are several
illegal methods to break-in a composite softball bat, which we do not endorse
whatsoever. Not only will your new bad boy be disqualified from using accelerated
techniques, but you’ll also lose all those hard earned American dollars you
used to buy that fine bat of yours. Your safest bet is to go along with the American
softball association’s (ASA) gradual break-in process. In truth, it’s not so
time consuming and we can all use the valuable strength enhancing swings to
increase our power.

Next, besides using your bat of course, you want a
professional regulation sized softball that has a leather cover and proper
stitching. Also, make sure the ball isn’t cold, or it might crack your new
baby. In addition, heat the ball somewhat before using. Nobody likes cold
balls. Especially your bat.

Third, strike around 30-40 softballs from a tee stand using
only about 25% of your strength. Make sure to rotate the bat an inch or so each
swing to break-in all sides evenly.

Fourth, again using the tee stand, hit somewhere around
100-150 softballs at 50% max strength. I’ll wait a few seconds while your eyes
regain focus from popping out of your head….. We good? I know that’s a lot for
your muscles to handle, but you can divide it up into different sessions if you
so wish. If you’re like me, then at this point you’re beginning to think of
ways to cleverly avoid doing this one. Maybe your thinking pay little Timmy the

neighborhood boy to do it, but can you trust him? He’ll probably just take his
father’s car and run over your bat thinking it will have the same effect. Or
maybe your thinking your mother could use a good workout while she takes her
summer vacation. Think again my wise friend. It has to be your strength, since you’re
the one using the bat, right? You probably knew that, but just in case. Again,
rotate the bat one inch each time you swing.

Finally, hit around 100 balls using your full strength (20
hits/rest and repeat). Some say don’t use a pitching machine, others disagree.
Logically, a machine would keep the balls at a consistent speed and height. So,
if you want to ride the fence maybe hit 50 with the machine and 50 from a
pitcher. Once again, rotate the bat with every swing.

Warning:

Don’t use the following techniques such as loading,
painting, barrel shaving, thinning or other catalyst to accelerate the break-in
of your bat. Bats that are noticeably altered in these ways will be
disqualified and the other team will kick your ass.

You can spread out the break-in process over several days or
weeks. No need to rush for the big game tomorrow. Just think about it, your
arms are going to be so tired from the previous day’s break-in process that your
swinging will resemble something similar to that of a 10 year-old girl.

Just as a final note, remember to bring that bat of yours
inside at night. Leaving it in a cold car can damage your baby if you
forgetfully use it while it’s still chilled.

Well, that about sums up the ASA’s gradual break-in process
for composite softball bats. Thanks again for joining us here for another
article at compositesoftballbats.org! Check back next time for more interesting
articles on everything about composite softball bats! With that said, PLAY
BALL!

Jonny Softball

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Back for more ehhhh? Well, glad you could join us for another wonderful article on
composite softball bats. We here at compositesoftballbats.org not only want our
readers to feel like they are truly learning the nuts and bolts of their game,
but also to enjoy the literature as they browse their favorite topics and
discussions. With that said, today’s article centers around one of the
most popular names in softball bat manufacturing, DeMarini. What a great last
name! With a name like that I’m sure I’d get V.I.P seating almost anywhere. It
sounds like a sports car or popular restaurant doesn’t it? Anyway, sit back,
turn off the boob tube, grab yourself a nice chilled beverage and get ready for
a fantastic little summary on DeMarini Sports! DeMarini
Sports is a popular manufacturer of baseball bats and other major sporting
equipment. The company originally started in Hillsboro, Oregon in 1989 where
the headquarters is now located.

The story of how DeMarini Sports first came into being is actually quite charming.
We all like to hear those stories about the little guy fighting his way to the
top, right? Just like Mohammad Ali, Christ Gardner, Vanilla Ice and Kevin
Bacon’s country music career. Granted Vanilla Ice’s hard rock music never
really took off and Kevin Bacon’s short-lived country music tour made us all
wish that we were born without earlobes, but we still remember them, don’t we?
Yes, how can we forget..

In the beginning, there was total darkness and a small metal shack. This was where
Ray DeMarini, founder and owner of DeMarini Sports, created his first bats,
which he sold directly to his customers. Eventually, Ray moved to a larger
shack that could finally afford heating and things began to flourish from
there.

DeMarini Sports was special for a few reasons. Most companies had money for advertising
and sold to major distributors nationwide, but Ray DeMarini had to sell his
high performance bats directly to his customers. In the beginning, hardly any
major producers new about DeMarini and what his company offered, but with
persistent effort and commitment to the game their name eventually reached far
and wide. Ahh Touching. Like a warm hug from a big breasted cheerleader. What’s
more, DeMarini Sports created the world’s first multi-walled bat named “The
DeMarini double wall”.

What made the double wall so special, you say? Good question. What made this bat a

force to be reckoned with was that it had a giant “sweet spot” similar a “G-Spot”.
We all love feeling of smacking the life out of a ball in the “sweet spot”. No
nasty vibrations. No wasted energy. Just smooth sailing. Soon, sales began to
take off and many manufacturers claimed that they had successfully mimicked
DeMarini’s technology, but with little proven results.

Ray DeMarini came on the softball scene at the ripe old age of 40. He was known for
having a 96 MPH hitting speed, strong attitude and scientific approach to
training. Later in his career, ESPN decided to hire him to shoot a series of
training videos teaching others how to master specific types of batting
strategies. When it came to bats, Ray focused his efforts on creating a bat
that was specifically designed with all types of players in mind.

DeMarini Sports is also recognized for creating a series of products never before seen
in the industry. Some of these products included the multi-wall bat (double
wall distance), the first high-performance bat for massive players (fatboy) and
the first high-performance youth bat (Black Coyote).

In 2000, DeMarini joined up with Wilson Sporting goods and further exploded onto
the scene. Ray believed this was a good move because both companies shared a
parallel vision of making the best equipment for athletes and obviously because
the check they wrote him was larger than yours and my bank account combined.
What’s more, both companies complimented each other well. Wilson Sporting goods
created gloves, balls and protective gear, while DeMarini created some of the
best available composite softball bats in the industry.

Farewell to the King In December 2001, 12 years after the genesis of DeMarini
Sports, Ray DeMarini died of cancer in his Northwest Portland home. He was 55.
The next summer, the Portland Metro Softball Association paid homage to the
“King of Softball” with the dedication of Ray DeMarini Field.
Formerly known as Delta #1, the field was DeMarini’s favorite place to test
bats during the early days of business. (Taken from DeMarinisports.com)

Well, there you have it. Short and sweet like I said. So, if you’re thinking about
possibly purchasing a DeMarini high performance composite softball bat now you
have a little background on your friends from DeMarini Sports. Thanks for
joining us here at composite softball bats.org and tell your friends! Until
next time, PLAY BALL!

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Hello there and welcome back to another feature on composite softball bats! During this article we’re going to be exploring a simple process for choosing your composite softball bat. Sound interesting? I hope so. Choosing the wrong bat will not only cost you a lot of money, but will also hurt your pride. This is mainly because your batting average will drop like a rock out of an airplane. Then you’ll begin to rack-up bills from that new psychologist who swears he can get your self-confidence back to square one just as soon as you lose the desire to kill your father and win over your mother. Thanks Freud. Still can’t forget that. Anyway, this seems important, right? Glad you agree. With that said, let’s begin!

At present, the future of softball is looking pretty good. Softball has become one of the most popular sports for family and work functions, church groups, parent groups and many more organizations. What’s more, some of the main reasons for this are because it’s easy to play and it usually doesn’t require a lot of equipment to join in on the fun.

During these events you might feel it unnecessary to bring your own equipment. Usually a few players will bring a couple of bats and helmets for everyone to use and most of the time you can get by with this. Although, the better you want to become the more you’ll probably need to pick-up your own bat and other custom equipment. This is due to the needs of your specific body type.

To begin, choose a bat that is easy to control, but powerful enough (heavy) to produce a ball speed of at least 80-100 mph. How can you figure this out? The best way to check before you buy is to research online reviews for your particular bat model. Usually speed and weight ratings will be listed. Aluminum bats are good for control and power, but composite softball bats cut down on vibrations if you accidentally don’t strike the ball in the “sweet spot”. What’s the sweet spot? No, it’s not that marvelous area that makes your woman moan with pleasure (that’s the G-spot). If you’re a woman and reading this I am sorry. Just to be fair, guys have a g-spot too. Anyway, the sweet spot is that area of the bat that we all aim for when trying to hit the ball. When you strike a ball here the bat creates less vibrations and sends nearly all its weight and energy into the oncoming ball.

Next, try to choose a bat that is long enough to produce a wide swing, but not so long that you cannot fully control. Usually, the longer the bat the further you can hit the ball. If you are tall with long arms you’ll probably want a bat about the length of your arms.

Third, weight is another important factor when choosing a composite softball bat. The larger you are the heavier you will probably want the bat. Obviously, the heavier the bat the further you can crank the ball, so if you are a burly muscle man it seems reasonable that you should be able to handle a ‘big boy’ bat. The upside to this, besides being able to crush the ball, is that your lady friends will now begin to tell you how strong your arms are looking due to that extra weight you’ve been throwing around. Ahhhhh. The joys of manhood. Again, if you are a woman I’m am sorry. You too can enjoy extra muscle. Some men like their women to have muscle like men in prison and Eskimos. A muscle woman can club a baby seal no problem and drag it back to camp.

A fourth component of choosing a composite bat is grip. This one is easy enough. The more grip you tape on your bat, the less vibrations you’ll feel when smacking the life out of that softball. However, choose too much and it might stop you from gripping the bat correctly, which will decrease the power of your strength upon the bat.

Lastly, one other factor to keep in mind when choosing a bat is barrel size. The larger the barrel size (mass) the more surface area you have to hit the ball. Although, a larger barrel also creates wind drag, so choose wisely. Imagine those old huge woofel ball bats we used to use when we were children. Remember these huge plastic bats? Not the little yellow ones. Those sucked. The big ones were cool because you could nearly hit the ball every time with no problem. Although, these bats could also be used for other things such as ores for canoes due to their massive surface areas, or medieval bludgeoning weapons for beating younger siblings. Anyway, you get the picture.

Well, there you have it. How to choose a composite softball bat? I hope that question has been greatly simplified for you . Thanks again for joining us for another article on composite softball bats! Until next time, play ball! (pic courtesy of fielderschoicesports.com)

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Bats Evolution:

The evolution of composite softball bats is a story very similar to the history of
ancient tools created by our ancient ancestors. Over the years, our tools were
slowly improved upon until they became the best possible tools for the job.

During the early years of baseball/softball, players began using wooden bats such as the
old fashion Louisville Sluggers. Remember these mammoth sized bats? Yeah, they
packed a punch, but they also nearly broke your wrists when you used them.
After wooden bats came aluminum alloy bats. They did a pretty good job at
absorbing the ball’s energy, thus they did a very good job at sending the balls
packing for the outfield. They were also light and made a pinging noise when
they struck the ball.

After aluminum bats and a few in between, someone got the idea to mold a bat out of
titanium steel. Wow, sounded cool. Anyway, these bats were great for increasing
ball speed and distance, but there was only one problem. They were so great
that the balls were nearly lethal and often injured the pitcher or other
players on the field. These bats officially came out in 1993 and were banned
after only 3 months.

Saving the best for last, composite softball bats came on the scene. These bats are made
from various materials, which make them lighter, allow them to strike the ball
with an increased velocity and absorb vibrations much better.

Safety Considerations:

When considering softball bat safety, there are a few important concepts that may be
worth becoming familiar with especially when using composite softball bats.

Some people seem to believe that composite bats are also very dangerous because they allow
players to hit balls at increased speeds and distances. One reason these bats
can strike a ball so well is because of their ability to absorb shock and
disperse the ball’s very own kinetic energy against itself, which produces a
powerful force without little resistance.

Possible Safety Remedies:

·
Possible safety considerations may include
wearing regulation grade helmets to decrease incidence of head injuries.

·
Wearing mouth guards for protection.

·
Some authorities have brought up the idea that there should be protective cages
around the batter so that bystanders don’t get struck with raining balls. (Hey!
Good idea.)

·
Finally, some say that the density of softballs
should be examined more closely and possibly regulated. In other words, they
want softer softballs. How soft can a softball get?

In conclusion, the game of softball has had a long and interesting evolution and
still continues to flourish. At present, players have begun using composite
softball bats to improve hitting performance, but still need to keep in mind
concerns of safety when playing this great sport. With that said, lace up your
cleats, put on your batting gloves, and go grab your bat and let’s play ball!

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The main topic for today is composite
softball bats regulations and I hope you’re as thrilled reading about this as I
was writing about this! I’m joking. Actually, you’ll going to like this article
because I took the most boring facts for you and summarized them into tiny bits
of digestible information nuggets. Well, let’s begin shall we…

The first thing you may want to know
about is: the ASA or Amateur Softball Association.

This association is responsible for
the most accepted playing rules, which they formally wrote in 2000. Since, 2000
the rules have been officially updated in 2004, so make sure whatever bat you
purchase complies with the 2004 regulations. Although their standards apply to
national softball leagues and championship games, other non-professional
leagues use their guidelines as well.

Here’s something useful. Bats produced
before 2004 may not comply with ASA standards and thus may not be allowed on a
softball field if an umpire says so. Most bats usually have a certification
mark somewhere on them, which lets players and rule officials know that the bat
has been tested and inspected for play. After 2000, most bats were stamped with
certification marks. Without these marks, bats must be listed on the 2004 ASA
approved list of bats in order to be used in championship games.

Usually a composite softball bat
should not be able to hit a ball faster than 98 mph (Controlled studies are
usually performed with identical bats before they are manufactured.) This is
known as the BESR rule, or batted Ball Exit Speed Regulation.

Moreover, under controlled studies the
ASA has concluded that the speed of the batted ball should not be able to
exceed 1.2 times that of the pitchers ball throw (BPF or Bat Performance
Factor)

The longer you use a composite bat the
better they become. This is what they mean by “breaking a bat in”.
Because of this, the BESR and BPF rules apply after a bat has been “broken
in” and thoroughly used.

Finally, bats cannot be altered or
enhanced in any way. If suspicious of foul play (sorry for the pun), bats are
subject to confiscation and testing by officials. Fines can include being
barred from games for as long as one year, or longer.

Well, that was short and sweet wasn’t
it? I hope you learned as much about composite softball bat regulations by
reading as I did by writing this article. Until next time.

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Composite softball bats are made from a combination of carbon, Kevlar fibers, and resin. Making carbon fiber is a very expensive process because of the complex machinery and molds it takes to make it. Just looking how many steps that it takes to make one bat, you will understand why these bats can’t just be given away. The average composite bat typically sells for between $200-$400 and up.

Here is why:

It all begins with carbon fiber (the exact process of making carbon fiber is beyond the scope of this article). Just know it is detailed and time consuming.

Composite softball bats all begin from several thin sheets of pre-made carbon fiber. In order to make longer strips needed to roll the bat out, these sheets are ironed together at the seams and then pressed together with a high temperature stamp.

Next, several pieces of freshly formed carbon fiber sheets get rolled onto a bat form. To customize the bat to specifications, or to meet specific performance standards, the direction/weave of fiber sheets are changed up during rolling.

The carbon form is now shrink wrapped to remove air pockets then baked at high temperatures to fuse the multiple layers together.

After done baking, 2 layers of loose carbon fiber weaving are slid over the form followed by a synthetic weave called aramid (strong heat resistant fibers used in aerospace and military applications).

The carbon form, with all of its weaving coverings, gets placed in a steel mold where epoxy is injected around it. Under high pressure and extreme heat, all layers get fused together.

A robotic puller removes the steel form from the carbon form and what is left is a hollowed out carbon copy bat.

Next, the knob and barrel of the bat is fined tuned to meet bat specifications using a lathe and sand paper. It is then primed, painted, and slapped with the manufacturer’s decals.

The barrel end is then capped with a poly carbon topper and sealed with resin.

Lastly, a tiny hole left in the knob end is injected with more resin to fill the hollow core and a small weighted plug is fitted into the hole sealing it up and helping the bat achieve its balance point.

Pheew.. Alot I know.

So from this, I hope you can see and appreciate the craftsmanship put into each and every composite softball bat made. For me, knowing these bats have been specifically engineered with the latest technology and materials to outperform all other bats, helps me rationalize spending the money for one.

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