How to Break a Softball Bat

Softball bats are not made of materials that can be "broken in". The bats are made of aluminum or wood and so there really is nothing you can do that will break a bat unlike what can be done with materials such as the leather of a glove. The option you do have is to take care of your bat so that when you find one you play well with, you can keep it for as long as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Softball bat (aluminum or wood)
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Instructions

  1. Caring for a Bat

    • 1

      Limit your usage. Never use a new bat in the batting cage. The balls the cages use are heavier and more dense than a regular ball, and cause dents in the bat. Also don't use the bat for batting practice before games. Repeatedly hitting a ball with the same side of the bat frequently causes denting and deadening.

    • 2

      Don't use the bat in cold weather. The recommended temperature limit is 60 degrees on most new bats. Some can be used in temperatures as low as the 40's. Using the bat in cold weather causes the bat walls to not be as forgiving when the ball hits it, which causes the bat to deaden. A "dead" bat means the acoustics inside the bat don't work correctly and the ball will not jump off the bat wall when contact is made. Also do not store your bat in extremely hot temperatures, such as in the trunk of a car. The heat causes the aluminum of the bat to weaken.

    • 3

      Rotate your bat after every swing, to ensure you do not constantly hit off one side of the bat. Continuous use of one part of the bat will deaden the bat, cause denting and end cap damage. The end cap helps to keep the acoustics of the inner walls as the manufacturer intended.

    • 4

      Use an aluminum bat (if possible). Wooden bats are easier to take care of than aluminum, but they do not last nearly as long. Wood bats can be used in all weather conditions, but do have a propensity for becoming damaged . If you must use a wooden bat, check for cracks and dents as a ball will easily dimple it.