The Best Asa Slowpitch Softball Bats of 2021

Best Asa Slowpitch Softball Bats Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

As an alternative to conventional baseball, ASA (Association of America) in 1963 embarked on setting up Softball with two different versions called Slowpitch and Fastpitch. While slowpitch softball is the most common type, the major disparity between the two is the pitch distance, pitching speed and the type of ball used.

The only equipment of slowpitch softball is a bat, a glove (for playing defence) and a ball (larger and softer than a fastpitch ball). Not all slowpitch softball bats are the same. They differ according to the player’s height and strength. Some insight into types of softball bats is imperative to find your apt one.

Types Of Slowpitch Softball Bats

There are various slowpitch softball bats that differ in construction suiting to both beginners and connoisseurs. In this article, we are going to elaborate on each of them for your sheer understanding.

One Piece and Two Piece Bats: If you are a beginner, you must take a careful cognizance to both types to know which is the best fit for you. The one-piece bat is made of a continuous material from top to bottom, whereas the two-piece bat is joined together by two parts, namely, barrel and handle.

One-piece bats are favourable for power hitters as they have a little flex and are also stiffer when compared to a two-piece one. Two-piece bats having more flex at the joint are often preferred by experienced players who don’t want to experience any sensation in their hand while hitting. DeMarini slowpitch softball bats coming in both one-piece and two-piece variants are the best bats known for their durability and have a price as less as $159 online.

Single And Multi-Wall Barrel Bats: Many slowpitch bats are now being made with two or more barrel walls as they last longer due to their thick walls. A multi-walled softball bat provides the essential spring action to avoid hurting your hands during the play but it also costs more. As a matter of fact, Easton slowpitch softball bats are claimed to outperform most of the double-walled bats.

Many leagues obligate the players to use single-walled bats as they are safer. For amateurs, single-walled bats are beneficial as the material used in these bats offer additional hitting surface. Also, single-walled bats are cheaper and apt for regular use.

Alloy, Composite Bats And Wood Bats: For stronger and reliable softball bats, some manufacturers make bats using aluminium mixed with other metals. The alloy, in turn, makes the walls of bats thinner and highly responsive. Composite bats, on the other hand, are made from the amalgamation of graphite, fibreglass, graphite, and carbon fibre.

When it comes to material, both alloy and composite bats are of fine quality. Talking about performance, alloy bats are meant for starters which help them in picking up the pitch speed and are also affordable when compared to composite bats. An alloy bat can easily bear any dents or cracks lessening your fear of reduced performance while a composite bat is more susceptible to cracks.

The biggest advantage a composite bat provides over an alloy bat is the bigger sweet spot (an area which produces the least vibration in a batter’s hand) making it more efficient. Many of the leagues now use composite bats of which Easton composite softball bats are recently gaining world-wide applauds for their efficiency and improved durability.

Wooden slowpitch softball bats are made of ash, bamboo, maple or composite wood. While bamboo bats serve as the strongest ones, ash bats are a bit softer allowing great flex during the swing. A Maple bat is somewhat harder than an ash bat and is mostly preferred by power hitters. Though composite (made of wood and other composite materials) wood softball bats are not legal in some league matches, they are high performing and long-lasting.

Balanced And End Loaded Bats: Balanced slowpitch bats are the most common type of bats, designed to carry equal weight from knob to the end cap. They are used by contact hitters, also known as base hitters for a smoother swing of the bat and even by players who are concerned about the placement of the ball.

For a player with high swing speed, End Loaded bats are useful. Having extra mass in the barrel, they are mostly used by power hitters for hitting more distance on contact.

ASA, USSSA And Other Organizations

Having strict guidelines for bats, ASA is considered to be the most highly regulated. The significant difference between bats made for ASA and other associations is the batted ball speed. It is the transfer of energy from the bat to the ball which in turn propels the softball to move forward. For instance, an ASA approved softball bat must have batted ball speed of about 98mph, while USSSA and others allow up to 100 mph.

Some tips To Choose the Right Slowpitch Softball Bat

Now that we know different types of slowpitch bats, it is now time to comprehend how to choose the right size and weight of the bat.

To select the bat of appropriate length, hold the bat by its knob at the end. If the bat touches the ground while your arm is straight down, it is the perfect size bat for you, and if you have to bend your elbow, it’s too long.

To find a bat of right weight, know its Drop( numerical difference between a bat’s height(inches) and weight(ounces)). A lighter bat, usually for slow players has a drop of -8 to -12 while heavier bat has a drop near to -8.

Last Words

In the sport’s world encompassed with league restrictions, there are various types of slowpitch softball bats that get manufactured and picking one among these choices is undoubtedly a herculean task. Also, with the soaring popularity of softball, it is mandatory for you to get well-versed beforehand with the equipment you use in the sport. We hope you heed to the information above and know the kind of player you are and the type of softball bat you need.