What Is a Composite Softball Bat?

Composite softball bats are bats manufactured using carbon fiber materials in an attempt to produce a bat that is lighter than an aluminum bat. Composite bats have begun to live up to the expectation of the increased performance one gets from wood bats (distance and power), mixed with the durability of aluminum. Generally, composite bats cost more than aluminum bats because their manufacturing process involves more steps than the aluminum manufacturing process.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing of composite bats differs from their aluminum counterparts. Due to the carbon fiber material, they are the lightest bats available in 2009. When manufactured, however, composite bats are too light and a metal rod must be added near the handle to add extra weight.

Origins

The first generation of composite softball bats broke easily and did not perform nearly as well as their aluminum counterparts. The next generation of bats continued to break after around 50 or so good swings, but there was a considerable jump in performance. Later, composite bats were manufactured with the proper weight distribution along their length to minimize breakage.

Mechanics

Swinging a light bat means you want the balance point as close to the handle as possible. This theory makes composite bats ideal because thinning aluminum bats will produce a ball impact with tremendous speed, but you can only thin an aluminum bat so much without damaging the structural integrity of the bat.

Comparisons

Composite bats "sting" less than aluminum bats after contact with a pitched ball. The reduction in post-contact vibration is due to the better barrel stiffness of composite bats, which better controls the resulting batted-ball vibration.

Composite bats produce a different sound

Traditional aluminum bats are identified by their sound: they produce a distinctive "ping" composite bats do not produce. The lack of this sound often causes players to want to return their bats claiming the bat does not "feel" right. The player is simply not used to the lack of sound.

Is a composite bat for you?

If you are interested in a composite bat, you would need a heavier bat if you have a slower rate of speed through the strike zone. You will produce more power using a heavier bat. If you have a fast rate of speed through the strike zone, you would probably perform better using a lighter bat.

Break the bat in

If investing in a more expensive composite bat, you will want to slowly break in your composite bat using a tee and only half-powered swings. If you use it in game situations right away, the bat may not be ready to take the pounding and you may void your warranty. It is recommended that you never use your composite bat in a batting cage. Typically, the performance of composite bats get better as they age.