Softball Bats

[Soulpieced]

Any softball enthusiasts out there? I'm in a slow pitch league with the following rules.

1. ASA rules
2. NO composite material of any kind on the bat

That said, does anyone know what the best all-aluminum bats on the market are? The only thing I've gotten out of my google searches is the Anderson Composite Killer line. And someone on my team has said he's tried it and wasn't a big fan.

[Bobmuhthol]

I use an Easton Cyclone, but I'm not so sure anyone who's really serious is going to. $59.

http://www.onlinesports.com/pages/I,OLY-BS121P-3.html

Soft ball is such a man's sport.

- Arkans

[Bobmuhthol]

Also, there's a pretty nice batting tip I learned. When you grip the bat, line up the knuckles on your fingers. If you do outstretch your arms and do it, your dominant hand should be facing toward you and the other facing away. Swing the bat like that and you should notice a good increase in distance. It eliminates rolling your wrists and puts more power into the swing.

[Hulkein]

In my intramurals league at school they supply the bats and the limited flight balls, it's weak.

If I talk to one of my cousins anytime soon who are in a league with their own bats, I'll ask what they like.

The Sports Authority has some really awesome aluminum bats, I picked one up and couldn't believe how ridiculously light-weight it was. The price-tag really scared me though.

[DeV]

Originally posted by Bobmuhthol
Also, there's a pretty nice batting tip I learned. When you grip the bat, line up the knuckles on your fingers. This is an excellent method and you should definitely consider its use.

[Hulkein]

A lot of people generate power with the wrists though, just gotta know how.

[DeV]

True. This method works especially well for fast pitch softball.

[Edited on 5-12-2005 by DeV]

[Soulpieced]

Bob, I've been hitting like that since I learned it in little league, best advice I was ever given. Us big hitters are currently using an old ass Easton 34 inch 35 oz beast. Just looking for something a little newer, but not being able to have any composite material at all REALLY makes it tough to find something with good ratings. Looking for something probably in the $120-200 range.

[Latrinsorm]

Don't go crazy buying bats. I'm in a slow pitch ASA league too, and we moved to wooden bats this year (but we get to use hot balls). It's just too much of a hassle with the whole arms race and convincing the umps that your bats are in fact legal. Just get a legal bat and spend the extra cash on more juice.

[HarmNone]

Here's a site you could investigate, Soulpie:

http://www.sportsnmore.com/softball/bats/

[AnticorRifling]

Power comes from the step into the ball and the torso/leg twist.

Also I use Demarini. Love em to death. Lightweight, solid feel, and if you're not a complete idiot you're going yard.

Key tip when using any softball bat, learn to rotate it between connections. What I mean by that is most bats have marks on them so you can grip it on one mark, hit a ball, next up move to the next mark. This makes sure you wear the bat evenly and you don't develop dents and bumps.

I'd suggest: http://www.demarini.com/cas/slowpitch_distanceax.html

[AnticorRifling]

Ohh yeah go 30/34 at least or go play T-ball.

[Soulpieced]

Like I said, us big sluggers on the team have been using a 35 ounce beast. I don't even think they make bats over 31 anymore. I scoff at your 30 ounces.

[Edited on 5-12-2005 by Soulpieced]

[AnticorRifling]

We have a 42oz that alot of umpires won't let us bring to the plate. It's legal but they have the final call. It's bright blue and orange it's ugly as sin but holy shit does it feel good to swing big lumber (even if it is metal heh). I can't recall the brand on that bat it's my buddies I'll ask him at work tomorrow. Generally I just swing my Demarini.

Ohh yeah I use a Demarini voodoo 9500 glove too. It's the biggest glove you've ever seen. When I snag the ball I've got to climb into my glove to pull it out. But it's gravy since I play first base.

[Hulkein]

Originally posted by Soulpieced
Like I said, us big sluggers on the team have been using a 35 ounce beast. I don't even think they make bats over 31 anymore. I scoff at your 30 ounces.

[Edited on 5-12-2005 by Soulpieced]

Let's lift some weights together, BROTHER!

[Hips]

Hmm... I can ask my dad what he and his team used to use. He pitched slow-pitch for years.

[longshot]

Composite bats are rediculous...

When accountants start hitting home runs at company outings, there's a serious problem with the game.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Arkans
Soft ball is such a man's sport.

- Arkans

You have a point my brother... however CO-ED softball is a man and WOMAN sport. Get my drift? The original hooters had a team in my last league. I can dig drinking 8 beers and watching chicks run around.

[Skeeter]

some sites for your enjoyment.

http://www.kellysultimatesports.com/index.asp

http://www.batsbatsbats.com/

http://www.softball.com/softball/home.do?mediaCode=S00UNA1ZSO022

http://www.sportsdiamond.com/


personally I love my PST, but it's a little out of the range you're looking to spend.

[Sean of the Thread]

Best advice for any batter is to keep your elbow UP.

[Hulkein]

No, the best advice is to order Tom Emanski's tutorial.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/emanski_tom.jpg

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/emanski_group.jpg



Fred McGriff agrees.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/emanski_mcgriff.jpg

[Alarke]

If McGriff was such a super star he wouldnt have quit after 499 home runs!! Slacker!

[Tsa`ah]

Soft ball is only fun with a keg at each plate. Outside of that, I don't play it.

My only advice is 3-4 handballs, remove plastic cap, insert, replace. Knocks the shit out of limited flight.

I only recommend it for keg games.

[Hulkein]

Heh, softball is the too old/didn't have the motivation/couldn't cut it in baseball sport.

That being said, it's awesome.

Kegs do make it fun, but drinking before and after is pretty good too.

[Skeeter]

that depends on the level you play at. Super Major players can pull in 6 figures a year just to play ball, plus endorsements.

Not a bad way to make a living.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Hulkein
Heh, softball is the too old/didn't have the motivation/couldn't cut it in baseball sport.

That being said, it's awesome.

Kegs do make it fun, but drinking before and after is pretty good too.

Here the majority of softball leagues are purely about fun. Lots of co-ed leagues.

We have men's baseball leagues and that is where all the douchebags that couldn't cut it and have somin to prove go. A bunch of dicks.

[DeV]

No love for the Louisville Slugger. :(

[Hulkein]

Originally posted by Skeeter
that depends on the level you play at. Super Major players can pull in 6 figures a year just to play ball, plus endorsements.

Not a bad way to make a living.

That's slow pitch?

[Skeeter]

Yeah. if you notice a lot of the softball bats have names associated with them. That's where those names come from, major players on major teams. Google the Easton Bomb Squad, or check out www.theoldscout.com. it's eye opening.

This doesn't even count the police and fire teams that employ ringers on the payroll that spend their whole "careers" traveling from one major tournament to the other while the taxpayers pick up the bill.