What Are the Most Used Bats in Fast-Pitch Softball?
Fast-pitch softball bats run the gamut from basic aluminum solid-construction bats to highly engineered composite bats. As fast-pitch softball grows, composite bats are taking the lead as the most used bats in the game.
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Composite Bats Defined
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A high-performance fast-pitch softball bat uses the very best in lightweight, shock-resistant composite materials. These advances have permitted softball bat designers to exaggerate the barrel surface without sacrificing bat strength or stability.
Two-piece construction advantage
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Batting speed, along with a bat's flex and recoil action, dictates a hit's distance. The greater the recoil, the harder the ball flies off the bat. Composite bats are able to generate more flex and recoil than solid-construction bats and are largely responsible for greater hitting performance.
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Materials Used
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Current fast-pitch softball composite bat designs are available in blends of graphite, glass, alloy, aluminum and resin.
ASA Certifications
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The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) periodically and randomly tests samples of bat models bearing the "ASA approved" certification mark to verify compliance with its bat performance standards.
Budget Considerations
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Each bat manufacturer uses proprietary language to describe its products and advantages. Select the best bat based on a player's level of play, then budget accordingly.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mike Baird
