The Difference Between the 2010 White Steel and 2008 White Steel DeMarinis

DeMarini is an American manufacturer of sporting goods. The company was founded in 1989 and makes sporting equipment for use in baseball and both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. DeMarini is known for producing the White Steel slow-pitch softball bat. The DeMarini White Steel is the world's first steel-barreled softball bat. The manufacturing process includes a method of attaching the steel barrel to a composite material handle.

  1. The White Steel

    • The steel barrel, combined with its composite material handle, makes the DeMarini White Steel bat durable and heavy. It is a single-wall bat, giving it a smaller sweet spot than multi-wall bats. Multi-wall bats are not allowed in some softball leagues. The White Steel is only available in a 34-inch length. However, it comes in three weights: 26, 28 and 30 ounces.

    Positack Grip

    • All White Steel models come with the DeMarini Positack grip. This grip is designed to minimize vibration from the bat, which reduces hand fatigue and improves control. It is made from a moisture-absorbing material so that your hands don't slip if they are sweaty. The grip performs equally well in wet or dry weather.

    The Handle

    • The 2008 White Steel uses DeMarini's proprietary Flex-Tuned composite handle. The 2010 model also uses a composite handle; however, it is a newer type, called the VoodooBlack handle. The VoodooBlack handle is designed to be both strong and flexible. The handle is joined to the barrel using DeMarini's "Half + Half" technology that allows a steel barrel to be attached to a composite handle.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Both the 2008 and the 2010 White Steel have been discontinued and replaced by the 2011 White Steel. Though they are no longer being manufactured, some retailers still carry 2010 model White Steel bats. The list price for a 2010 White Steel is $200, while the list price for the 2008 model is $190, at the time of publication.