Comparison of Aluminum & Composite Fastpitch Bats

Players are faced with countless choices when choosing a fast-pitch softball bat. Aluminum and composite bats are the most common types of bats used in softball, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on a player's needs.

  1. Specifications

    • Aluminum softball bats are made from alloy rods, which are hollowed and lathed to create the shape of the bat. Composite bats are made from layers of carbon fiber sheets rolled together.

    Types

    • There are hundreds of models of both aluminum and composite fast-pitch bats available. All of the major bat companies manufacture both types in a variety of lengths and weights.

    Price

    • Composite fast-pitch bats are typically more expensive than aluminum softball bats. Composite bats cost between $100 and $300 on average, while aluminum bats generally cost less than $100.

    Advantages

    • Aluminum bats are the more affordable option, which is advantageous to players on a budget. Some studies have shown that composite bats perform better in comparison tests with aluminum bats. However, both types of metal bats perform better than wooden bats in performance tests.

    Disadvantages

    • Composite softball bats need to be broken in before they can reach maximum efficiency. This requires between 200 and 500 swings of full-speed batting practice. They also should not be used in cold weather. Once composite bats are broken in, however, they tend to perform better than aluminum bats.