Best Softball Bats:
Helping your parents choose the best softball bats can be a confusing process if you forget the basics. With all of the bats to choose from, with the extreme range in cost, some of the upper end bats costing over $300, how do you guide your players and parents in choosing the best softball bats for them? Help your players and parents not make a costly mistake.
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| Player's Height in Inches | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player's Weight in LBs | 36" - 40" | 41" - 44" | 45" - 48" | 49" - 52" | 53" - 56" | 57" - 60" | 61" - 64" | 65" - 68" | 69" - 72" | 73"+ |
| Less than 60 lbs | 26" | 27" | 28" | 29" | 29" | - | - | - | - | - |
| 61-70 lbs | 27" | 27" | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | - | - | - | - |
| 71-80 lbs | - | 28" | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | - | - | - |
| 81-90 lbs | - | 28" | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | - | - | - |
| 91-100 lbs | - | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | - | - |
| 101-110 lbs | - | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | - | - |
| 111-120 lbs | - | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | - | - |
| 121-130 lbs | - | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 33" | - |
| 131-140 lbs | - | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 33" | - |
| 141-150 lbs | - | - | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 33" | - |
| 151-160 lbs | - | - | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 32" | 33" | 33" | 33" |
| 161-170 lbs | - | - | - | 31" | 31" | 32" | 32" | 33" | 33" | 34" |
| 170-171 lbs | - | - | - | - | - | 32" | 33" | 33" | 34" | 34" |
| 180+ lbs | - | - | - | - | - | - | 33" | 33" | 34" | 34" |
Weight of the Bat
One the length is determined, the selection of the proper weight for the best softball bat is absolutely critical. Remember, the distance by which a player hits a softball is primarily due to bat speed, not the length or weight of the bat. If a bat is too heavy, the player will not be able to generate the bat speed and drag it through the strike zone. If the bat is too light, the player will generally open up too soon and top the ball. However, if you have too error between too heavy or too light, tend to go lighter. Bat speed is that crucial.
There are a couple of ways to determine the best softball bat weight. Worth Sports developed the following charts to determine proper bat weight. For younger girls (up to age 10) it was determined that the player’s height was the best determinate:
Girls (Ages 8-10) Bat Weight Chart
| Player's Height in Inches | Bat Weight in Oz |
|---|---|
| 48-50" | 16oz |
| 50-52" | 16.5oz |
| 52-54" | 17oz |
| 54-56" | 17.5oz |
| 56-58" | 18oz |
| 58-60" | 18.5oz |
| 60-62" | 19oz |
For players over age 10, it was determined that the weight of the player was the best determinate:
Girls/Women (Over age 10) Bat Weight Chart
| Player's Weight in lbs | Bat Weight in Oz |
|---|---|
| 100 lbs | 23 oz |
| 110 lbs | 24 oz |
| 120 lbs | 25 oz |
| 130 lbs | 26 oz |
| 140 lbs | 26.5 oz |
| 150 lbs | 27 oz |
| 160 lbs | 28 oz |
| 170 lbs | 28.5 oz |
| 180 lbs | 29 oz |
These tests serve as a guideline. The next test is to have the right handed batter hold the bat straight out (meaning arm straight and parallel to the ground) by the handle of the bat with her right hand (if she is a left handed hitter, hold the bat handle with her left hand). If she can maintain the bat as level for about 25 seconds, the weight should be fine.
Bat Balance
This is the weight of the barrel (the hitting area) relative to the entire bat. If you are a contact or slap hitter, you may prefer a more balanced bat versus a power hitter who may prefer more of the weight of the bat in the barrel (or more “loaded”). Also, the longer the length of the barrel of the bat, the longer the potential hitting area, or “sweet spot” of the bat. The standard bat barrel is 2 ¾ inches.
Feel of the Bat
This section refers to the diameter of the bat handle or taper, and the feel of the bat grip. For some players this is very important. For my older daughter the grip of the Worth bat was essential for her to be comfortable. The taper of the bat is usually about 31/32 of an inch, with some variation. In addition, the grips of some bats are made of leather, giving a tighter grip, while others are made of rubber giving a more cushioned grip.
Personal Preference
All things being equal, personal preference, as to brand, color of the bat and so forth will also come into play. At the end of the day, the bat that generates the best bat speed for the player will be the best softball bat.
Information on the composition of the bat is discussed on a different page.
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