What to Look for in a Fast-Pitch Softball Bat

Are you looking for that bat that will give you the edge in your next fast-pitch tournament? Manufacturers such as Easton, Miken, and Mizuno each make bats sanctioned by organizations such as the ASA, ICF and USSSA, and, depending on your size, weight and game, can give you that extra power, extra speed and extra drive you need to get on base or drive the ball over the fence.

  1. Easton Bats

    • If line drives are what you want, look for the Easton Synergy Clarity SRV2B-9 or -10 model. Rated by players for Softball Today, these bats were given high marks for line drive, sweet spot and durability. This bat was ranked as the top bat among players surveyed. Players loved the graphics on the Synergy CNT-9, and this bat rated high for feel and distance. In other words, this is a slugger's bat. All Easton bats are high-performance composite bats with colorful graphics, and they have been approved by five different fast-pitch softball governing bodies.

    Miken Bats

    • The Miken Maniac 484-10 bat, while not rated as highly as the Easton bats, does grade well in durability, sweet spot and line drives. This bat features Miken's "Titan Elemental Technology," which augments the composite makeup of the bat. The Miken NRG 500-10 was again ranked in durability, distance and feel, but the sound of the ball coming off the bat is somewhat lacking. Miken bats are sanctioned by the ASA, ISF and USSSA.

    Mizuno Bats

    • Another strong line-drive bat, the Mizuno Wrath-10 is a durable bat that is solid in feel, distance and line drives but not nearly as highly rated as the other models. This bat is constructed from a composite/aluminum blend and is used by Olympian Jennie Finch. Speaking of Jennie Finch, the Mizuno Jennie Finch 11.5 model is highly ranked for distance, sweet spot and durability. This bat is the first aluminum bat made by Mizuno. Like the Easton bats, these bats are also sanctioned by five organizations.

    Other Bats

    • There are many other bats on the market to consider. The Worth Mayhem is the first 100 percent composite fast-pitch bat. You can use this bat for both distance and line drives, and it is considered very durable. The Worth bat is designed for college and high school players. The Mattingly Beast is another 100 percent composite bat and is rated extremely high in the feel/sting of the bat. This bat is also designed for speed and can deliver power. The Combat Virus 10 has a longer barrel for extra contact. The Combat is also approved by the NSA.