Best Softball Bats

The DeMarini 2014 Bustos WTDXBFP Fastpitch Bat is our best softball bat as this fast pitch softball bat has a drop or weight to height ratio of -13. You can also get a great tack and comfort due to its awesome durability and the 2 piece construction of the grip gives a lot of hybrid comfort for the batter with this softball bat. Hand vibrations and sting are eliminated due to the fiber reinforced composite handles. The high KIS strength is delivered by the DX1 alloy material so that you will get an absolutely tough bat to use.

Our step-up pick is the DeMarini Female 2015 Vendetta Fastpitch Bat and this softball bat is for fast pitch softball game play and it also adheres and meets the bat standard 1.20 BPF. The sweet spot is highly responsive and bigger due to its paradox barrel to give you the best kind of batting results in no time and the launching energy of the ball is great due to the half and half construction which greatly improves impact and weight distribution. The softball bat qualifies for play in the ASA, ISF, NSA, ISA and USSSA so it is of high quality.

The budget pick is the Easton FS200 Fastpitch Softball Bat and it is ideally for entry level batters. The speed and power of this budget pick is very great and optimal all in all and the bat is used for fast pitch softball and is backed by a warranty of 1 year. This bat has a barrel size of 2A 1/4 inches and the aluminum alloy of this softball bat is highly durable.

A Little Background

Bats, whether they are in baseball or in softball, are very crucial in the game as they are the ones that take the hit of the ball. The bat is a very crucial part of any hitting game or sport because it is the heart of the game. Without a bat to hit the ball, there would be no action at all and it can be dangerous to catch a pitch without hitting it properly. Bats have their own way of taking hits depending on the strength and the overall design of the bat. It is also determined on the type of ball that the bat is supposed to hit at all times to make a home run and to officially score in any game or match or to practice with it.
First of all, we must know the various parts of a bat, more specifically a softball bat. The barrel is the thick part of the bat. The barrel is what makes the bat very thick and can withstand very hard hits of the ball. The barrel is present in both baseball bats and softball bats altogether as a very hard hitting force in the whole bat system. There are generally two kinds of bats out there – the end loaded bat and the balanced bat. The balanced softball bat typically means that all of the weight of the bat is evenly distributed so it gives the user more ease. This kind of bat is ideally used for beginners or for the ladies who cannot deal with heavy end loaded bats.
The end cap is the end curve of the bat. This is usually the very protective part of the bat in terms of softball and in baseball which gives the bat a much curved edge overall. The fact that the end cap of the bat is curved like a rounded edge means that it is needed to give the bat a good swing because naturally, it will help a lot on its aerodynamics as a softball bat or a baseball bat in general. Without the softened corners, air will not pass through easily due to the rough corners. The rounded edges of a softball bat or a baseball bat is also essential due to the very fact that it is very safe and it has the less likelihood to wound someone due to the lack of straight and sharp edges. The smooth edges of the bat can also definitely help in its overall weight and swing speed. The swing speed is very vital and crucial to any game and this decides how far the ball can go in a single game play. This is more than just on the skill of the player or the batter but it is also more on the structure and the design of the softball bat or of the baseball bat altogether.
The handle is where the batter holds the bat. Both baseball bats and softball bats have handles that help the batter or the player experience comfort when it comes down to holding and swinging the bat. The handle of any bat is very crucial to any game play as it is the core of what holds the bat together and is the main line of communication between the player and the bat. The handle is what keeps the bat together with the player or the batter and helps to control the swing and position of the bat.
The knob is the bottom most part of the bat that looks like a knob. The knob is shaped like a regular door knob and it is what holds the grip and handle part so that you will not let the softball bat or the baseball bat loose or slip away from your hands. The knob part of the softball bat is very crucial to keep the bat to your hands and grip so it will not slide off in any game. It is held like a sword when you hold the softball bat or baseball bat and the knob gives you a wall of protection against falling off. The bat’s knob part can also slightly contribute to the aerodynamics and the bat swing speed of the softball bat or the baseball bat in general due to its unique shape. Usually, a knob is thinner on its middle and thicker like an umbrella shaped nail or something like that.
The grip is located below the handle to help keep the batter get a good grip on the bat. Without the grip, well, any person would not be able to easily grip the softball bat or the baseball bat in a very firm position, which is to say, it would not be very easy for the person to hold the softball bat or the baseball bat in place. It is very important to think about the bat’s grip. The anti slip property of a softball grip or a baseball grip is highly crucial to any game. In any situation where the sun can cause sweat to occur in your hands can be a great disadvantage if you do not have a softball bat or a baseball bat with a proper grip material. It will be relatively the same kind of disadvantage when it is raining outside or there is a slight drizzle that can cause moisture between your hands and the bat. This is why the grip structure, construction and durability of the softball bat or the baseball bat should be highly considered in the process to make it very reliable in any season and in any major league whatsoever.

How We Picked

The best softball bats are determined by the following factors:
Durability – the strength or the durability of a softball bat is normally referred to its ability to withstand denting. While most softball bats may need to be broken in first out of the wrapper before going into the real deal on the field, it is important still to have a softball bat that is firm in its construction and durability overall. The durability of a softball bat should be measured in its material and in its composition, construction and overall build. Typically, a lot of softball bats are made from alloys or composite material which makes them highly durable to withstand a lot of hits. Denting is not and never will be an option for a very sturdy softball bat unless it has been greatly abused for hundreds of hits or thousands already.
Fast pitch or slow pitch softball – you must consider the type of softball bat you will choose. The fast pitch types of softball bats have a different design as compare to those with a slow pitch softball design. The two games are relevantly different from each other when it comes down to the rules, the shape of the bats and everything else in between. The fast pitch type of softball is the more fast paced one and it is also relatively the most challenging of all the types of softball games. The most common one is the slow pitch softball game due to its easy and laid back attention when it comes down to the details of its design in terms of game play and the rules as well as the overall structure of the game and the components such as the game play equipment like the softball bats. You have to consider that the softball bat that you purchase is made specifically well for the type of softball that you will want to play such as fast pitch softball or slow pitch softball which ever you like or absolutely need as of the moment. Regardless of that, it is highly important that you know the type of fast pitch softball bat or slow pitch softball bat that you want to own and use and whether it needs to be broken in before a given game.
Comfort – the level of comfort that should be seen and shown in any great softball bat is the level that adheres to the comfort needs and the flexibility of the player or the batter. It is very crucial and important to have a softball bat that gives the best kind of comfort possible for any person who will use the softball bat for any use such as practice or a real game. The comfort of any softball bat should be greatly noticed on the overall structure of the bat in all of the aspects of its entire build as a softball bat. You should also know that the comfort level can be adjusted and defined depending on the type of material and it should also not be sacrificed for durability.
Ease of use – an easy to use softball bat is a must have for any person, especially when it comes down to the junior competitors as well as the beginners themselves. It is highly important to have a very reliable and high quality softball bat that is very easy to assemble, use and to break in. You definitely must and have to obtain a very reliable softball bat in any occasion whatsoever so that you can easily us it for various situations and games. The ease of use of the softball bat generally refers to the very fact that you need to know the difference between the exact and precise type of fast pitch softball bat or slow pitch softball bat to use in your game so you will be very much pleased when you absolutely need to use such as softball bat.
Drop or ratio of the bat – the drop or the ratio of the weight to the height of the bat is also crucial when it comes down to choosing the best softball bats out there. The softball bat needs to have a great drop ratio. For instance, the bat has a height of 34 inches and it weighs 24 oz, it should have a drop or ratio that is expressed in -10. This is how the drop or ratio of the height to the weight is measured and considered. Softball bats can be -10, -11, -12, -13, -14 and so on depending on your needs and the size that you absolutely want to have for your child or for yourself as a player of softball.
Design of the bat – the design of the softball bat should equivalent that of a great baseball bat in terms of design. The design refers to the softball bat’s form in every aspect of the way. The color of the softball bat should not easily fade over time and it should be very slick in its design with its overall colors and quality of the prints. Some softball bats should also be greatly designed to withstand both sun and rain factors so that you can definitely use them all year round. The design of the grips should also be considered when choosing the best softball bats. You also have to know if the softball bat is dependent on its end load for the weight or it is evenly balanced, which is most likely talked about below in the further paragraph and section.
Weight and distribution – the weight distribution of the softball bat, like we said, is a very important factor depending on the skill level that you are playing. The difference that it makes is when a softball bat is heavy enough for use by professionals or light enough for use by beginners. If you are a beginner or an amateur in softball then you should consider first getting a very balanced weight of softball bat that is evenly distributed throughout the bat itself. In contrast to that, some who have a more advanced skill may also want to have an end loaded softball bat for making it very easy for them to go through any kind of skill test and in any game.

Our Pick

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DeMarini 2014 Bustos WTDXBFP Fastpitch Bat

Our best softball bat is the DeMarini 2014 Bustos WTDXBFP Fastpitch Bat and this fast pitch softball bat has a drop or weight to height ratio of -13. The numerical system used by the softball bat is the rotational index to remind players that they absolutely need to rotate the bat so as to save the life of their bat and extend its lifespan and the high KIS strength is delivered by the DX1 alloy material so that you will get an absolutely tough bat to use.
The 2 piece construction of the grip gives a lot of hybrid comfort for the batter with this softball bat and you can also get a great tack and comfort due to its awesome durability. In fact, energy launching as well as impact will be great due to the optimum flex and the half and half construction of the barrel. Hand vibrations and sting are eliminated due to the fiber reinforced composite handles. You can choose from sizes 29 inches to 32 inches and from 16 oz up to 19 oz.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

The DeMarini 2014 Bustos WTDXBFP Fastpitch Bat as our best softball bat may have some shortcomings but they are very minor. For instance, it might be too light for some people but this largely depends on the person who will use it and the size you picked.

Step-up Pick

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DeMarini Female 2015 Vendetta Fastpitch Bat

Our step-up pick is the DeMarini Female 2015 Vendetta Fastpitch Bat and this softball bat is for fast pitch softball game play and it also adheres and meets the bat standard 1.20 BPF. Also, the softball bat qualifies for play in the ASA, ISF, NSA, ISA and USSSA so it is of high quality. The launching energy of the ball is great due to the half and half construction which greatly improves impact and weight distribution.
Do remember that miss hits won’t give any kind of harsh feedback due to the fact that vibration is greatly eliminated by the D-fusion lite handle. In addition to that, the sweet spot is highly responsive and bigger due to its paradox barrel to give you the best kind of batting results in no time. The sizes from 29 inches to 33 inches and 17 oz to 23 oz are available for this softball bat.

Budget Pick

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Easton FS200 Fastpitch Softball Bat

For our budget pick, we chose the Easton FS200 Fastpitch Softball Bat as this bat has a barrel size of 2A 1/4 inches. In fact, an all sports grip comes with the 31/32 inch handle and the aluminum alloy of this softball bat is highly durable. It is available from 28 inches to 34 inches / 18 oz to 24 oz. Also, the bat is used for fast pitch softball and is backed by a warranty of 1 year. The speed and power of this budget pick is very great and optimal all in all and it is ideally for entry level batters.

Reliable Softball Bat with a Steel Barrel Construction

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DeMarini Steel Slow Pitch Softball Bat

If you want a steel softball bat then check out the DeMarini Steel Slow Pitch Softball Bat as the softball bat can be used for play with the NSA, ISA, USSSA and as well as in the ASA. The handle of the alloy ZnX material of the softball bat has fewer flexing so it helps in deflecting the ball better. The steel barrel of the softball bat measures 13 inches and it is carburized for added durability and the heat treating process of the softball bat makes it very strong and durable.
The softball bat is meant for play with slow pitch softball and the grip measures 0.6 mm and is very easy to use on the softball bat. Also, from 26 oz to 30 oz of weight choices, the softball bat measures 34 inches in height. The design of the knob proves to be very comfortable as it is made from an RCK knob material and you can definitely use the softball bat for tourneys and leagues that don’t allow barrels with multi-wall construction or a composite build.
The steel material of the softball bat makes it unique and ideal for professional use and the stiffness of this softball bat is very good for performance on demand, maximum effort and great stability. A warranty of 1 year is given to this slow pitch softball bat.

Convenient Softball Bat with an End Loaded Design

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Easton SP16BWA Raw Power Softball Bat

If you want an end loaded softball bat then you should go for the Easton SP16BWA Raw Power Softball Bat as this slow pitch softball bat is a one piece construction so it is very easy to use. The bat is also approved by the ASA as well as the ISF (2013) and maximum performance can be achieved using the optimized sweet spot due to the very fact that the softball bat is made with an IMX composite barrel material. Also, bat control is also good due to the single system composite design of the softball bat. In fact, the bat is also end loaded in its design at 12 inches to deliver the best kind of power possible and the tacky handle measures 29/32 inch and it is also equipped with a gauze grip that is super thin.

Convenient Softball Bat with a Two Piece Construction

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Miken Ultra II Balanced Softball Bat

For the best two piece construction softball bat, we suggest that you try the Miken Ultra II Balanced Softball Bat as the softball bat has been made with one hundred percent aerospace material of high grade fiber to give durability and performance in the long run. A reduction of 5 percent is given from the material volume for a lighter feel using the triple matrix core.
Durability is great due to the carbonized process that takes out the wall seams of a regular softball bat. Also, the F2P technology of the barrel loading helps to keep the softball bat reactive to the speed of the ball and to give it a great hitting zone and power as well as overall speed and performance.

Ideal Softball Bat for Slow Pitch Games

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DeMarini Flipper 1.20 Slow-Pitch Softball Bat

For our best slow pitch softball bat, we chose the DeMarini Flipper 1.20 Slow-Pitch Softball Bat as this slow pitch softball bat passed the 1.20 softball standards. The end cap has a dish design with a concave shape to help keep stiffness on the end of the bat’s barrel to give it more power as well as energy for the sweet spot for a better chance at hitting and the high COR low balls that are compressed can be easily hit due to the very fact that it has a uniquely designed barrel.
The sweet spot is very responsive due to the air gap that is caused by the composite materials made up of 2 layers while the divergence barrel measures 13 inches with added durability. The alloy handle is made with ZnX material which helps to keep the stiffness and great performance of the barrel and the handle. All in all, a warranty o f 1 year is given to this softball bat.

Ideal Softball Bat for Fast Pitch Games

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Slugger Fast Pitch Proven (-13)

Our best fast pitch softball bat is the Slugger Fast Pitch Proven (-13) and this softball bat has a weight to length ratio or drop of -13, with sizes from 28 inches / 15 oz up to 33 inches / 20 oz. The softball bat is for play in fast pitch softball. And moreover, with a swing weight that is very balanced, the softball bat is very good to handle. The composite C1C design gives it a lot of durability as a softball bat and the bat is approved for play in the NSA, ISF, ISA, USSSA and the ASA. A manufacturer’s warranty of 1 year is given to this fast pitch softball bat.

Best Alloy Material Softball Bat

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DeMarini Ultimate Weapon Slow-Pitch Softball Bat

If you want an alloy softball bat then you can go for the DeMarini Ultimate Weapon Slow-Pitch Softball Bat this softball bat is for playing in slow pitch softball. The barrel length of this softball bat is 13 inches and you can use the softball bat for the NSA, ASA, ISA and USSSA. Also, the grip measures 0.6 mm while the alloy is made with ZnX material with a one piece construction and weights from 26 to 30 oz are available for this 34-inch softball bat.

Best Composite Material Softball Bat

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2016 Louisville Slugger Z4 ASA End-Loaded

If you want a composite material softball bat then you should go for the 2016 Louisville Slugger Z4 ASA End-Loaded as this softball bat has an end loaded design so it is more for the professional players. The 360-composite material is very pure and sturdy and it also uses S1iD technology in its entire build. The handle measures a standard 7/8 inch and the construction of the bat is made from TRU3 technology and the swing weight is very balanced despite being an end loaded bat.

The Competition

Other softball bats that we did not include here are the ones that did not qualify due to their lack of various features such as durability, safety, sturdiness, ease of use and various other factors. It is important for any softball bat to be fully ready for any action whatsoever.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What health benefits can softball give to a person?
A: According to Health Fitness Revolution , it gives conditioning to the body and strength as well as great development. It also helps flexibility to be improved on any person. Your mental health will also improve and you also gain more self-esteem in the process. You also develop skills of leadership and teamwork.

Q: What tips can you give on hitting the softball?
A: According to Team Snap , you should practice on your hand position, your gripping and your swing positions as the hands and the shoulders of the swing pose should stay back. You should also practice the follow through and the contact.

Wrapping It Up

In the long run, the DeMarini 2014 Bustos WTDXBFP Fastpitch Bat is our best softball bat among the many softball bats out there due to its great quality and better swing performance than the rest of the bats out there.