How to Select a Fastpitch Softball Bat

If you're in a fastpitch softball league, odds are that you don't want to be a pushover at the plate. When you step into the batter's box, you want the pitcher to fear you and the outfielders to step back, waiting for you to pound the ball a mile. To be a good hitter, you must practice and stretch and lift weights. You shouldn't, however, overlook an important ingredient for hitting success: using the right bat.

Things You'll Need

  • Trip to a batting cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Understand that bat speed is probably the biggest factor that should sway your decision. A heavier bat will give the ball more momentum when you make contact. On the other hand, you're much more likely to make contact if you use a light bat because you'll have a higher bat speed. Most players with high batting averages use lighter bats.

    • 2

      Swing a number of different bats. If your fastpitch team doesn't have a wide variety, head to a sporting goods store. While it may be tempting to select a long fastpitch bat that will allow you to hit pitches that fall into the opposite batter's box, it's usually not a good idea. If a pitch is outside of the strike zone, you don't want to hit it.

    • 3

      Decide whether you want an aluminum softball bat or a wooden one. If you're in a league, you may not have a choice. Aluminum bats are more durable and are less flexible, so the ball jumps off the bat. Wooden bats are classic and are usually a little safer for the pitcher, as he doesn't have to worry about as many comebacker line drives.

    • 4

      Consider aesthetics. If the fastpitch softball bat looks intimidating, you may gain a psychological edge over the pitcher. Confidence is very important to success in softball.

    • 5

      Use the bat in a batting cage to see how comfortable you feel when trying to make contact. Have a friend examine your swing to make sure that the bat allows you to reach through the whole strike zone. Once you feel comfortable and find yourself dominating the batting cage, you'll know that you've found the right fastpitch softball bat for you.