Slow pitch softball bats - need help

#1
Face

Face

VolNation Con Man
Joined
Nov 23, 2012
Messages
3,335
Likes
3,819
#1
Playing in a church league after the ole intramural glory days.

We need a good bat, and bad.

What are some good suggestions?
The most we'll realistically get from guys pitching is is a budget of $150.

Also, do you recommend rolling a bat (is that legal)?

Thanks.. I'm sure there's some softball studs out here with some answers.

:hi:

Also, if you have a good bat and are interested in selling one in the Chattanooga area, holler
 
#2
#2
Surely somebody on here has some slow pitch knowledge to share!
 
#3
#3
I dont know the specific rules to your church league, however here is my thoughts on your rolled bat question....definitely will shorten the life of the bat. My opinion is its cheating, because I'm sure the league has bpf specifications and you are altering that by rolling it.

Having said that, what are the rules on homeruns?
 
#4
#4
jp1 said:
I dont know the specific rules to your church league, however here is my thoughts on your rolled bat question....definitely will shorten the life of the bat. My opinion is its cheating, because I'm sure the league has bpf specifications and you are altering that by rolling it.

Having said that, what are the rules on homeruns?
Click to expand...

I think home runs are fair game.

And let's assume rolling a bat is cheating (idk if it is or not) what's the best bat for about 150?
 
#5
#5
Have you considered getting a gently-used bat? You might be able to find a Demarini or equivalent on Craigslist or at a used sports store. They are $250-300 new. I have an older Easton with some pop, but I haven't played in years now.
 
Last edited:
#7
#7
The ball is just as important as the bat. The compression of the ball and the bat are key. Certain leagues have speed restrictions on bats. For instance a 120 bat is usually banned. In a church league a 98 will probably be allowed and be plenty good enough.

People don't realize how dangerous slow pitch is. The bases are really close and the pitcher is usually in a very compromising place on the field.
third base can get eat up also. When you take hot bats, new balls, and athletic grown men you can have a dangerous situation for the players who aren't skilled.

Back to the equipment. Don't roll the bat. Really shortens the life also when it breaks you can't get a refund. Most high dollar bats will give you one free replacement based on normal use. I've seen guys take rubber mallets to their bats to break them in, but I find the best way to breaking the bat in is through batting practice and get the whole team to use it for more hits.

I've also seen people put the new balls in dry ice. Don't do this, it's just a church league. New balls are a must though. Hitting old balls sucks. That why they refer to hitting a "sock".
 
#11
#11
Composite bats were the next great bat coming out when I played. But I haven't played in 10 years.
 
#12
#12
Easton composite bats. Don't roll, shave or any of that crap. Pratice and workout if you want to hit it far.
 
#14
#14
goldenvol said:
The ball is just as important as the bat. The compression of the ball and the bat are key. Certain leagues have speed restrictions on bats. For instance a 120 bat is usually banned. In a church league a 98 will probably be allowed and be plenty good enough.

People don't realize how dangerous slow pitch is. The bases are really close and the pitcher is usually in a very compromising place on the field.
third base can get eat up also. When you take hot bats, new balls, and athletic grown men you can have a dangerous situation for the players who aren't skilled.

Back to the equipment. Don't roll the bat. Really shortens the life also when it breaks you can't get a refund. Most high dollar bats will give you one free replacement based on normal use. I've seen guys take rubber mallets to their bats to break them in, but I find the best way to breaking the bat in is through batting practice and get the whole team to use it for more hits.

I've also seen people put the new balls in dry ice. Don't do this, it's just a church league. New balls are a must though. Hitting old balls sucks. That why they refer to hitting a "sock".
Click to expand...

How do you determine the 98 or 120 rating? I'm not seeing it listed on bats online.

Thanks for all the info!
 
#15
#15
Been a while since I played. Hard to remember. The big thing is what league is the bat approved for.

There are 4 main leaugue\associations.

USSSA, NSA, ASA, ISA. The bat will usually list what all league's it approved for.

You can also google 120 slowpitch bats or 98 slowpitch bats.

Kellys ultimate sports has a good selection for softball bats and pretty easy to navigate.

You will have to see what association you church league's rule book there using. Probably ASA or NSA. I think USSSA uses the faster bats and harder balls.
 
#16
#16
Face said:
How do you determine the 98 or 120 rating? I'm not seeing it listed on bats online.

Thanks for all the info!
Click to expand...


This is the two different categories of softball bats. It means no matter how hard the bat is swung the ball will not come off faster than 98mph or 120mph. These bats are so "hot" out of the wrapper these days it's dangerous to roll them and especially shave them.

The composite bat flexes in and back out when a ball is hit. When a bat is shaved it allows the bat to flex more which in turn sends a ball off the bat higher than 120mph. I have seen these bats explode and shatter because the wall of the bat was so thin when hitting a ball.

It doesnt matter if it's church league or rec softball if your bat is shaved and you hit a pitcher in the head and kill them the complex or sanction can request your bat be pulled and sent off to be checked out. If shaved you can be charged with manslaughter.

As for the balls, no sanction allows above a 44 core ball nowadays.

Where is this church league at? The Summit complex in chattie?
 
#17
#17
Orange_Vol1321 said:
This is the two different categories of softball bats. It means no matter how hard the bat is swung the ball will not come off faster than 98mph or 120mph. These bats are so "hot" out of the wrapper these days it's dangerous to roll them and especially shave them.

The composite bat flexes in and back out when a ball is hit. When a bat is shaved it allows the bat to flex more which in turn sends a ball off the bat higher than 120mph. I have seen these bats explode and shatter because the wall of the bat was so thin when hitting a ball.

It doesnt matter if it's church league or rec softball if your bat is shaved and you hit a pitcher in the head and kill them the complex or sanction can request your bat be pulled and sent off to be checked out. If shaved you can be charged with manslaughter.

As for the balls, no sanction allows above a 44 core ball nowadays.

Where is this church league at? The Summit complex in chattie?
Click to expand...

You said everything that needed to be said. Good post.
 
#18
#18
#19
#19
jp1 said:
When I last played the Miken Ultra was the best I had used. I also like the Combat Wanted pretty well. I would look and see if you can find 2014 bats that have been marked down before I would go the used route ( unless you knew the seller well).

Try Softball Bats - Baseball Bats | CheapBats.com | BBCOR Baseball Bats - BBCOR Softball Bats as I have found some good deals here for my daughters travel team.
Click to expand...

The Miken Ultra is only allowed in the 50 and over league now. To date it has to be the hottest bat ever made and the most dangerous.
 
#21
#21
Orange_Vol1321 said:
The Miken Ultra is only allowed in the 50 and over league now. To date it has to be the hottest bat ever made and the most dangerous.
Click to expand...

I played a few years ago and have never been a big homerun hitter, maybe one or two every couple of games and they would go over by about 10 ft. A guy brought out a Ultra that had been shaved and restickered with the Miken Freak stickers. I hit one out by about 100 ft. As soon as I swung, I knew something wasn't right. We had 5 homeruns in 5 at bats by gys who in the 5 years I played with them neve hit one out. That was when he told me and put the bat up. The third baseman told me "I am glad your ball wasn;t low beause I didn't see it when it came off of the bat.
 
#22
#22
Orange_Vol1321 said:
This is the two different categories of softball bats. It means no matter how hard the bat is swung the ball will not come off faster than 98mph or 120mph. These bats are so "hot" out of the wrapper these days it's dangerous to roll them and especially shave them.

The composite bat flexes in and back out when a ball is hit. When a bat is shaved it allows the bat to flex more which in turn sends a ball off the bat higher than 120mph. I have seen these bats explode and shatter because the wall of the bat was so thin when hitting a ball.

It doesnt matter if it's church league or rec softball if your bat is shaved and you hit a pitcher in the head and kill them the complex or sanction can request your bat be pulled and sent off to be checked out. If shaved you can be charged with manslaughter.

As for the balls, no sanction allows above a 44 core ball nowadays.

Where is this church league at? The Summit complex in chattie?
Click to expand...

Thanks for all of the info, you and others! I appreciate it.

Looks like we've found a pretty solid deal on a Jeff Hall. Not sure which specs tho, one of the other guys is doing it.

I think we're in the DuPont league.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top