Article by Nicole Roberts

Just like every other piece of equipment, youth softball bats come in a number of varieties. There are different lengths, weights, and materials used, depending on your league. The size of bat you need will also be dependent on your strength. It is important that you choose the right bat so that you do not break the rules, and so you can have the best hitting power possible.

Softball bats may vary slightly whether you are playing the slow pitch or fast pitch version. They are the same in that they both prefer a bat length of 34 inches. The standard barrel size of the bats are also the same for both types of the game, at 2 ¼ inches. Keep in mind, the smaller the barrel, the lighter the bat will be. The drop, which is the difference between the length and weight of the bat, tends to vary between the two. In slow pitch softball, there are different drops to choose from. In fast pitch, there are fewer options, and the drop must be 12 or less.

Different materials will produce different results, so choosing the right type of softball bats are important. Wood is a common material for baseball, though some softball leagues do not permit these kinds of bats. There are a number of woods used for bats, including ash, bamboo, maple, and composite wood. Today, most carry a warranty of 90 days, which has not always been the case with wooden bats.

Aluminum youth softball bats tend to be the most preferred choice. They are lighter, meaning they can be swung with greater power. Most find that they can hit the softball further and with more speed using an aluminum bat. Plus, they tend to be more durable than wooden bats. Having a lighter bat means that the "sweet spot," the area for optimal contact between the bat and the ball, is larger. Some aluminum softball bats are lined with graphite, decreasing a bat's weight even further.

There are also some training style softball bats that are only used during practices. Some come with a flat area on the barrel that helps teach the player hit the ball square. Others have a feature that allows you to adjust the weight so you can learn to swing properly. Fungo bats are also used during practices, and they are long, thin bats that are swung continuously without making the player tired. They are often used by coaches to hit ball after ball when the players are practicing their positions on the field.

As you can see, there are a lot of aspects of youth softball bats. These various features should be considered when purchasing a bat to use. The weight and length are the most important, but you also want to choose a sturdy bat that will last a long while.

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