The first version of softball was invented in Chicago, Illinois, 1887 by George Hancock as a winter version of baseball. It was intended to be a way for baseball players to keep in practice during the winter. At the time, the sport was called "Indoor Baseball". Efforts to organize softball on a national basis didn't materialize until 1933 when Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley, a Chicago Sporting Goods salesman, conceived the idea of organizing thousands of teams in America into cohesive state and metro organizations and state/metro organizations into a national organization.

To bring the teams together, Fisher and Pauled invited them to participate in a tournament in conjunction with the '33 World's Fair in Chicago. With the backing of the Chicago American newspaper, Pauley and Fisher invited 55 teams to participate in the tournament. Teams were divided into three classes--fastballers, slow pitch and women.

Sixteen-inch softball, also sometimes referred to as "mush ball" or "super-slow pitch", is a direct descendant of Hancock's original game. Defensive players are not allowed to wear fielding gloves; however, a 16-inch softball is actually soft, and can be fielded safely with bare hands. Sixteen-inch softball is played extensively in Chicago and New Orleans. In New Orleans, sixteen-inch softball is called "Cabbage Ball" and is a popular team sport in area elementary and high schools. Different teams and leagues began to grow all over the northeast.

Chicago while credited with the development saw teams popping up in Minnesota, New York and Massachusetts. Then the great gold rush took easterners west to gain riches and along with them they brought there sports, which helped develop the west coasts teams.

Even though softball started as an indoor version of baseball, these two games have evolved into two completely separate sports with different sets of rules and playing conditions. Both of them involve four main activities or skills: throwing, including pitching and fielding; catching; batting; and base running.

The main difference in how these games are played is the technique by which the ball is pitched to the batter. Some of the rules in baseball and softball are similar too. For example, slap bunting rules are the same for both but used more often in softball. Substitution rules are basically the same, but differences are present here too.

Fast pitch softball is played with a twelve-inch ball, and metal bats. The distance between the each base is 60 feet long each base. From the pitchers mound to home plate it measures 43 feet in length. The pitching circle is 12 feet in diameter. From all these characteristics, you can say that baseball and softball are not sports based on player strength, but of explosion and intelligence.

There is no technical difference between Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch softball bats. They are all softball bats legal in either game you play.

Fast pitch bats are marketed more for young girls and some have bottle barrels for inside pitches. Ninety nine percent of slow pitch bats are 34" and between 26 and 30 ounces. Fast pitch bats are made shorter and lighter. As long as the bat is certified for your league and does not exceed 1.20 BPF, you can use it for slow or fast pitch, men or women.

Most college women and almost all adult male fastpitch players use slow pitch bats. Slow pitch achieved formal recognition in 1953 when it was added to the program of the Amateur Softball Association, and within a decade had surpassed fast pitch in popularity

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Do you ever wonder why the other teams 9 hitter can hit the ball a mile farther then your 3 hitter? The secret is all in the bat. If you come up to the plate with a 100 dollar bat then you might as well go right to the parking lot and crack open a few beers cause it's already over. Here are a few reasons why you need to invest in the best ASA softball bat.

Inferior Softball Bats mean warning track power. Inferior bats mean more pop ups. So if you wanna fly out to left field EVERYTIME then by all means go to Sports Authority and pick up that cheap Easton or Louisville for slightly under a hundred bucks. This way you can let the other team have some outfield practice instead of playing a real game.

Bats With Pop Allow You To Stretch The Field! When you have the best ASA softball bat you threaten to beat the outfielders deep. This allows you to drop in those little cheap bloops and have innings that last for hours. Once you establish you can't hit the ball more then 250 feet you shrink the field. Once that happens, it's over unless Jenny Finch is on the hill.

Worth SBTRES Resmondo Titan 120 (End Load) Slow Pitch Softball Bat You can knock a riser back through the middle or hammer a fastball into the gap with the Worth(r) SBTRES Resmondo Titan 120 (End Load) slow pitch softball bat. The bat's 1-piece composite Titan 5.4L technology with multi-layer design extends the sweetspot 2-in towards the endcap. The bat is designed for the optimal balance between performance and durability.

Cheap Bats Lose What Little Pop They Have Fast. Durability is crucial in softball bats. That is another reason why you need to invest in the best ASA softball bat. They will last longer and even when they do lose their pop they are still better then those cheap bats.

The Best Asa Softball Bat Has A Bigger Sweet Spot. That means that you don't have to make great contact and still hit the ball a mile. The game becomes simpler. I know it's only slow pitch softball but when us men compete anything can become a war. Do you wanna take the field with inferior weapons. Of course not that is why you need the best ASA softball bat.

DeMarini WTDXNAU Juggernaut OTC Slow Pitch Softball Bat The DeMarini(r) WTDXNAU Juggernaut(tm) OTC(tm) slow pitch softball bat is crafted with a Stacked(tm) composite barrel. This optimizes the 4 walls separated by a DeMarini(r) Flex Film for a large sweet spot and more power on off-center hits. The CRC(tm) handle stores and releases energy while reducing vibration.

So here is what you should do. Below is a link to a review of the best ASA softball bat out of the current slow pitch softball bats on the market for the 2009 season. Listen to my warning and don't ruin another season and skimp out on a cheap bat. Get the best ASA softball bat and treat your team to a winning season.

Here is a link to a great review of the Best ASA Softball Bat online. Read the review and pick the bat that best suits your team.

By Peter Westwood

Click here for the best slow pitch softball bats on the market.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Buy-a-Slow-Pitch-Softball-Bat-This-Season-Until-You-Read-This-Review&id=2279304

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Everyone can rattle off the criteria needed to build a good baseball line-up, but what about single gender slow-pitch softball line-ups? What you are looking for in a softball line-up is a lot different than in a baseball line-up.

In a traditional baseball line-up, your leadoff hitter is a guy with speed, who takes pitches and can get on base regularly and shake the pitcher up. Generally you have a contact guy batting second, trying to get the leadoff hitter into scoring position... and then the meat of your order. You try and have the guys with the lowest batting averages down in the lineup, so they hit the least number of times per games.

It is pretty straight forward and, besides Tony LaRussa in St Louis, all major league managers stick to the same basic guidelines.

But slow-pitch softball is different and this article will help you create a line-up that will give you the best chance to win, so that when you check your league schedules on your online league management website, your team will be hovering near the top.

Popular Slow Pitch Softball Bats:

Anderson Matrix Composite Slow Pitch Softball Bat

DeMarini WTDXRDU RD28 USSSA Slow PItch Softball Bat - Limited Edition!

DeMarini WTDFCS The Flame Slow Pitch Softball Bat - New for 2009!

The first thing to understand is that, unlike baseball, in single gender (not coed) slow-pitch softball everyone generally has a puncher's chance of getting a hit. Even the worst guy on your team should be apt enough to have his/her bat meet the ball. Even if it is a slow roller up the line, every once and again they should be able to get a hit. (In traditional fast pitch baseball, these guys would be strikeout victims every time).

You should also have guys on your team that seemingly get a hit every at-bat. These guys can smoke the ball up the middle with ease and grace and their skills should be utilized to the fullest. And if your team is even moderately good, you should have a couple guys you will be able to rely on in key situations.

So, what you should do first is jot down the names of all your players, in no particular order. Next what you should do is put an asterisk next to each guy who is like the first described, the puncher. Next underline the guys who fit the second bill, namely, those who routinely get on base. Last you will want to circle guys who have the power to hit the ball over the fence, or if your league does not allow homeruns, then circle the guys who can usually find a gap and can hit inside the park HRs. Not everyone on your team needs to have a marking.

If you end up with an equal number of each you are fine, if you have more of one than the other, still fine. (However, if you have more than five with asterisks you may want to find another team to play on.)

The next thing you will want to do is break all the like-marked players up. In traditional fast pitch baseball you want your two worst hitters at the bottom of the order, but not so in slow-pitch softball. This is not to say you should bat your less skilled players lead-off or in the cleanup spot, but they shouldn't always bat back to back. In softball it is all about getting guys on base and scoring runs. Back to back lousy hitters will ruin any inning.

Now that you have separated all your players out, you can start making your lineup.

The assumption, for the sake of this article, will be that you are batting 10 and you have 2 with asterisks, 3 with HR power, 3 that consistently get hits and 2 that didn't have any designation. If your numbers vary any, adjust this accordingly. Also, it really does not matter which players you select, and in fact you can vary it up game by game, it only matters that they fall into the category you assigned them.

The first thing you will want to do is spread out your power hitters. Unlike baseball, it is actually detrimental to bat them consecutively. Take your 3 with power and put them into the 3, 5 and 7 holes. This will break up the power and give you a shot at hitting one over the fence at virtually any part of your game. This will also keep them close enough that if one doesn't hit it over the fence on cue, that right around the corner you will have another guy with power.

Second, take your two worst hitters, those with asterisks, and put them in the 8th and 10th spots. This puts them far enough down that they won't get as many at-bats as the top of the order, but not having them back to back will stop any rally killers.

Next take an underlined name and put it at the top of the order, and, why not, make it the fastest guy on your squad. They may end up at second off an infield grounder, which will help you later.

You should have 2 consistent hitters and 2 without designation left.

Put one of the consistent hitters in the vacant 9 spot. This way, you shouldn't go 1-2-3 when the bottom of your line-up is due to lead off an inning.

You should have the 2, 4 and 6 holes left. As a confidence booster, you may want to put one of the non-designated guys in the 4 spot, just make it clear that they are not there to smack HRs, as clean-up hitters of the past were assigned to do. The boost in confidence may take their game to that next level and get them a base hit they may not have otherwise gotten.

The 2 spot should go to your last underline 1ff8 d guy and the 6 hole can be filled with your last non-designated player.

Your lineup should now look something like this:
1-Consistent Hitter
2-Consistent Hitter
3-Power Hitter
4-Average Hitter
5-Power Hitter
6-Average Hitter
7-Power Hitter
8-Lower Ability Hitter
9-Consistent Hitter
10-Lower Ability Hitter

Looking over this the weakest part of the lineup may be your 3-6 hitters, if your power guys are not also good hitters. If that is the case, take your biggest power guy, the one who either hits it a mile or not at all, and make him the 7 hitter.

Besides that one adjustment, this should result in a winning line-up, and you should see your team atop your league standings next time you check out your online league management system.

Author: Evan Pfaff

Evan Pfaff is co-owner of Who's In First.

Who's In First is an online league management system for leagues of all sizes and sports. Our state-of-the-art software enables league managers the ability to quickly create and deploy schedules and standings over the Internet.

Visit Who's In First, http://www.whosinfirst.com, today for a free demonstration and to learn why Who's In First is the best choice for your league.

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A softball bat is made from hard wood, metal, or any of the other standard materials. It is generally 86 centimeters (cm) in length, 6 cm in width, and 1 kilogram (kg) in weight. Earlier, softball bats were made mainly of wood, but advancements in technology have introduced substances such as aluminum, graphite, and composites.

Softball is a team sport in which a ball, 28 to 30.5 cm in circumference, is thrown by a team member called a pitcher and hit by another member with a round, smooth stick called a bat. Softball bats have a maximum diameter of 2.25 inches, making it somewhat difficult to make solid contact with the ball. Softball bats quickly taper from barrel area. This makes barrel of a softball bat stretched, giving it more hitting area. These bats have two markings on them. One of these markings is the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) logo that all softball bats must have; the other is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) rating of 1.20. The Bat Performance Factor (BPF) is a scheme that determines one bat's performance over another. All softball bats need to have a BPF of 1.20.

Popular Slow Pitch Softball Bats:

Anderson Matrix Composite Slow Pitch Softball Bat

DeMarini WTDXRDU RD28 USSSA Slow PItch Softball Bat - Limited Edition!

DeMarini WTDFCS The Flame Slow Pitch Softball Bat - New for 2009!

There are some important factors to be considered when choosing a softball bat. The bat should be long enough to reach the batter's wrist when he or she is standing straight with arms at his or her side. Individual requirements may differ as far as the weight of a softball bat is considered. A player should be able to swing a bat easily and control the swing with both hands, without sprain. It is advisable to use a bat that is light in weight because lighter bats can be swung more rapidly and the resulting distance could be farther. It is also recommended to use a carbon based softball bat as carbon performs better than aluminum. Moreover, bats should have a smooth safety grip and not just tapes. It is suggested that, while batting, a batter should distribute his or her weight on both feet, and a ball should be hit when it is in the level between shoulders and chest. This gives it another direction.

Author: Kevin Stith

Softball provides detailed information on Softballs, Fastpitch Softball, Softball Equipment, History Of Softball and more. Softball is affiliated with Reviews on Softball Bats.

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Technorati Tags: Slow Pitch Softball Bats, slow pitch softball eqipment

Perhaps your slowpitch softball team didn't make it to the playoffs this year, or get as far in the last tournament as you had hoped for. You certainly don't want that to happen next year! The good news is, it doesn't have to. Don't let them off the hook. The answer to becoming a great team may be as simple as getting rid of that used slowpitch softball bat and getting a new one. I know, that may sound strange, but if you don't have the latest in slowpitch softball bat technology you're lagging way behind the other teams.

Choosing a new softball bat isn't difficult, but it does take a little research. Don't just walk into Wal-Mart and pick up a $20 no-name bat and call it a day. That would be a huge mistake if you're looking to improve your team's play and swing for the fence. Today, softball bat technology has went to a new level. It is incredible at how far technology has come with softball equipment. You must stay on top of this technology if you want to remain competitive.

What bats offer the newest in technology? Here's a look at a few of our favorites.

Worth Softball Bats

Worth slowpitch softball bats offer NANO composite frames that help to increase bat speed and give added power on every swing. The Worth Mayhem softball bat is one of its top models, with a retail price of $299.

The latest slowpitch softball bat from Worth is the new Jeff Hall Mayhem M7 model. Brand new for 2007 this bat is an extremely limited edition model with only 2,000 being available for distribution. The bat features an even larger sweet spot than it's regular Mayhem model. You will be hitting HR's like never before if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these Worth limited edition bats.

Popular Slow Pitch Softball Bats:

Anderson Matrix Composite Slow Pitch Softball Bat

DeMarini WTDXRDU RD28 USSSA Slow PItch Softball Bat - Limited Edition!

DeMarini WTDFCS The Flame Slow Pitch Softball Bat - New for 2009!

Miken Softball Bats

Miken is another of the top manufacturers of softball equipment. The slowpitch softball bat that is getting the most attention is their "FREAK" model. Retailing for around $299, the FREAK offers a 13.5" barrel, plus it is designed to hit the ball LONG and over the fence! All top-of-the-line Miken bats include the E-Flex ESD (Extended Sweet Spot) technology. They are also end-loaded, which gives maximum distance. Plus, the FREAK also includes a thinner bat handle for even more control. The knob is coated with their X-Tack coating for additional control. You'll do your team well by selecting one of the Miken model bats.

Easton Softball Bats

Long regarded as one of the top slowpitch softball bat manufacturers, Easton offers up a full carbon composite bat called CNT, or Carbon Nanotube Technology. Nanotube uses a smaller bead, making it much stronger and even more flexible in the hitting area. This new technology also makes the bat last much longer than normal without breaking. The Stealth line of bats are Easton's top sellers.

Demarini Softball Bats

Demarini is another top quality slowpitch softball bat company. Demarini uses a method of fusing together carbon composite materials plus high performance aluminum. This combination creates an incredible "pop" when hit. It's similar to a golf club in that the bat flexes when hit and the aluminum delivers the power. And what power that is! Demarini is known as the industry standard when it comes time to review slowpitch softball bat.

As you can see, in order to be the best you're going to have to use the latest in sports technology. Put away the used slowpitch softball bat and get the latest in slowpitch softball bat technology, and you can and watch your team start to improve in the standings.

Author: Terry Edwards

You can find out more about Choosing The Best Slowpitch Softball Bat as well as much more information on all types of bats at http://www.Ball-Bats.InfoFromA-z.com

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Technorati Tags: slow pitch softball bat reviews, Slow Pitch Softball Bats

Bat Rolling 101 - The Process

Most companies determine the maximum rolling pressure and start at that pressure. This is totally incorrect and usually causes durability problems and also potentially causes your paint to spider web prematurely. You should roll bats in 3-4 progressive compression points (depending on the type of bat). After you've rolled your bat it will have approximately 200 passes through the machine. You should not heat your bat before rolling since it does not provide any additional benefits, in fact it actually hurts the rolling process.

Rolling does not shorten the life of your bat

Once you bat has been rolled it will have the same durability it did before rolling. It will however be performing at its highest level.

Roll your bat even if it's already been used

Even bats the have been used will benefit from our rolling process. Bats that have 300-400 hits on them are being rolled all the time and after the owners get the bats back they are will be very surprised with the results. In most cases you haven't properly broken your bat in and after a good rolling your bat will performance at it's highest potential.

Does my league consider it illegal to roll my bat?

This is one of the most debated topics around today. All we can do is give you the facts as they stand today. Currently rolling is legal in only 1 slow pitch softball association. This association (ISA) clearly state in their rule book that rolling is legal. In another association (ASA), they have recently adopted a bat certification process that requires all bats to be tested after they have been rolled. This ensures each bat that is certified by them does not exceed their performance factor after being rolling. I interpret this as rolling being legal even though it doesn't specifically say so. In USSSA, they do clearly state rolling is against the rules. My opinion is that rolling your bat is doing nothing more than taking 500 BP swings. You're just doing it in a more controlled fashion and in a shorter period of time. My advice to you is to check with your local association or league and find out what their stance is on this subject.

Types of bats that can be rolled

Any composite bat can be rolled to increase the performance. This includes Softball bats (Fast pitch or Slow pitch) and Baseball bats (2 1/4", 2 5/8" and 2 3/4' barrels). Some people claim to roll Aluminum bats but it is not worth it since it does not improve performance at all on an aluminum bat.

Author: Mike Carson

We found a great site with a lot of information regarding Bat Rolling and Juicing and even offer what looks like a well made Bat Rolling Machine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Carson

Technorati Tags: bat rolling, Slow Pitch Softball Bats

There are many companies that manufacture softball bats, and Miken belongs to the elite class.

A manufacturer of high-end softball bats, Miken was founded in 1998. Miken bats are viewed as a must have in softball circles. The company was a pioneer in the production of the first-ever Titanium Composite softball. Nowadays, the Latest Titan Elemental Technology is used to force the bat to return energy to the ball more rapidly and more consistently.

The E-Flex Technology used by Miken absorbs the energy from the pitch of a ball as well as the energy from the swing of a bat, and it then puts the energy exclusively into the hands of a batter. The price of Miken bats is more than $200 on the market. 'Miken Freak 98 ,' the latest addition to the Miken series, is a high-end, slow-pitch bat. The bat costs up to $299.

Popular Slow Pitch Softball Bats:

Anderson Matrix Composite Slow Pitch Softball Bat

DeMarini WTDXRDU RD28 USSSA Slow PItch Softball Bat - Limited Edition!

DeMarini WTDFCS The Flame Slow Pitch Softball Bat - New for 2009!

Miken creates fast-pitch bats with maximum performance and a maximum sweet spot. The MPulse utilizes the revolutionary E-Flex Technology and a Carbon X Shell to provide greater durability while maintaining its trampoline effect. The Maniac series is available in four models: the USSSA-approved 585 Mega Maniac 100+ mph slow-pitch bat; the ASA-approved 484 Maniac 98 mph slow-pitch bat, the ASA-approved 282 Maniac slow-pitch bat, and the ASA-approved 484 Maniac minus-10 fast-pitch model. All of the four Maniacs models feature Miken's E-Flex Technology.

Current models of slow-pitch bats include T22C6 (New), Camo 484, Mega Maniac, Miken Mega Maniac 585 , Maniac 282, Freak Plus, Freak 98 , and Ultra II. Maniac 484, OKC, and M-Pulse are the current fast-pitch bat models. All bats are available in different sizes.

Innovation and passion have been the driving force behind Miken's success. Many believe that Miken's softball bats are the best in the softball industry.

Author: Damian Sofsian

Softball Bats provides detailed information on Softball Bats, Softball Bat Reviews, Miken Softball Bats, Worth Softball Bats and more. Softball Bats is affiliated with Fastpitch Softball.

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Technorati Tags: miken freak 98, Slow Pitch Softball Bats