Article by Bret B

When deciding to purchase a slow pitch softball bat (sometimes called a “stick”), there are many items that you may have to consider… material, length, weight, weight distribution, and grip. You then need to correlate them to your build and preferences because unfortunately slow pitch bats usually are not one size fits all. Let’s delve into the top 5 important points to help clarify the process.

Bat MaterialSlow pitch softball bats come essentially in two unique materials, composite or metal. There are disadvantages and benefits to each, however nearly all producers have moved a lot of their business to using the composite materials for slow pitch. Normally the composites tend to be the better alternative because of their resilience, ability to perform in colder climates, and the advances in composite technology.

LengthWith regards to slow pitch softball, almost all the sticks come in a 34-inch length which is the greatest length authorized by league rules. Frequently, almost all slow pitch participants don’t need to be concerned in regards to shorter length unless you are really small and/or not weighty enough to swing the 34-inch stick. If that is the case, the player may possibly consider choking up on the handle to simulate a shorter bat length.

WeightGenerally weights vary from 26 ounces to 30 ounces, but you may find some that surpass these normal ranges. The prime principle associated with bat weight is that if a ball player can sustain a consistent swing speed when using both a light and heavy bat, then the batted-ball velocity is going to be highest with the heavier bat. The best results are attained by swinging a heavier bat faster, but this is something that nearly all average players cannot do and still manage control over the bat while swinging it. If you need to choose, we would recommend employing a lighter weight bat because swing speed in slow pitch is likely to rule far more than bat weight because the high swing speed is the thing that will flex the walls of the bat at ball-impact, therefore increasing the trampoline effect from the bat wall.

Note: For reference, I am 5’ 11” and 195 pounds. My personal best performance tends to come from employing a 26 ounce bat. I have tested out bats as much as 28 ounce, but all usually reduce my swing speed further than the advantage resulting from swinging the heavier bat.

Weight DistributionBats for slow pitch softball include two distinctive weight distributions: balanced and end-loaded. These differences in weight distribution can contribute to the feeling of a light-weight or heavy-weight swing in the bat. To become a tad nerdy for you, it relates to the position of the balance point (or center-of-mass) as well as moment-of-inertia. Primarily, the concept here is that the way the bat weight is distributed along the length of the bat will affect bat swing speed just as much as the differing overall bat weights. The nearer the bat's balance point is to the handle, the easier it can be to swing and handle the bat barrel through the strike zone.

Look at two bats that are identical in length and have a 26-ounce weight, however once you pick them up and swing each of them, you can actually very clearly distinguish the swing feel between the two. Bat 1 has a balance point that is 23.5 inches from the handle and Bat 2 has a balance point of 21 inches from the end of the handle. Bat 1 would have a considerably bigger moment of inertia (i.e. hit harder) than Bat 2 if they were swung with the exact same bat speed. However, as mentioned previously, the bat using the weight nearer to the handle is simpler to swing and control. The bat with the weight farther from the handle is much harder to control and likely decrease your bat swing speed as a result of greater moment of inertia. Let us reiterate here that bat speed governs in slow pitch since the high bat speed brings about the trampoline effect of the bat walls when it strikes the softball.

There it is, if you're a big crusher and can swing an end-loaded bat fast with superior control, then this is the weight distribution in your case. Most slow pitch players can't do that and will need to use a balanced bat that will offer them the highest personal performance. In my humble opinion, I like a balanced bat so I can better control my bat and hence better locate my strike point on the ball to aim for line drives. No I am not always successful in getting that line drive, but I want to do everything I can to increase my chances.

GripBats are likely to come with a leather or synthetic leather grip. Sometimes grips come with a slight cushioning material to absorb shock. Grip selection tends not to be considered a factor in bat selection for most players mainly because if you don't like the grip, chances are you'll replace it with a new one.

There it is, have a happy bat search!

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