How to Pick a Fastpitch Softball Bat

Finding the right fastpatch softball bat is a hard nut to crack. That’s because a large range of them are available in the market and it can become a difficult decision to choose the right bat.

We have made this easier for you by bringing together quick reviews of the best fastpitch softball bats that are available. By reading through these reviews, you will be able to weigh the pros and cons of each, and find out exactly which bat suits you best.

Top 3 Fastpitch Softball Bat Brands

We have already given you brief reviews of ten of the best fastpitch softball bats that are on the market for 2023. Now we provide an additional review of 3 top brands that offer the best fastpitch softball bats each year. These reviews are based on the offerings from different brands each year.

We have shortlisted three such brands which have consistently the best softball bats each year, regardless of the price tag. So even if you have to make a rush decision for the purchase of your fastpitch softball bat, you can rely on these brands and make the purchase. Following are three of the best fastpitch softball bat brands:

Miken

Miken is a reputed fastpitch softball bat brand that is known to produce some of the best bats in the category each year. The company typically produces not only the best sticks in terms of performance but also goes the extra mile and embellishes the bats with the best looks.

Miken’s fastpitch bats are made from composite material and are available in both one-piece and two-piece construction. In all its fastpitch bats, the company uses 100% aerospace grade composite fiber. As a result, all category bats offered by Miken are exceptionally sturdy and high-performing.

The one-piece fastpitch bats from Miken come with the advantage of being extremely light-weight while the two-piece bats are more effective in offering greater trampoline effect when hitting the softball.

So if you are going for a Miken purchase, rest assured that you will be able to lay your hands on a high-performance fastpitch bat that will distinguish your performance from that of the other players on the pitch. Among the top fastpitch softball bats available on the market are two Miken sticks namely the 2016 Miken Halo Light bat and the 2016 Miken Freak Black bat.

Easton

Easton is one of the frontline brands when it comes with fastpitch softball bats. The company dishes out a huge range of fastpitch bats each year so that no matter what you are looking for in a bat, you will find the one that will suit you being offered by the company.

To give you an idea of the sheer breadth of the company’s offerings, Easton has 13 fastpitch bats on the market for the year 2016. These range from a weight drop of -8 to a weight drop of -13.

Most Easton fastpitch softball bats are made from composite material and perform great on the pitch, hitting the softball to great distances. Most of these bats are also balanced sticks, which means that no matter what Easton fastpitch bat you pick, you can swing it with ease and confidence through the hitting zone.

The light-weight manufacture of these Easton bats also lets you swing them with exceptionally great speeds, adding significantly to your hitting momentum.

Worth

Worth is one of the best softball brands which is renowned not only for the sheer quality of its bats but also for the exceptionally well-done design of these bats. Among the Worth bats available for 2016 is a four-piece composite bat which is the hallmark of the company’s exceptional manufacturing.

The construction of Worth‘s fastpitch bats is also such that the offer exceptionally great trampoline effect. By coupling the design of Worth’s bats with their sturdy manufacture, Worth’s fastpitch bats are top-performers on the pitch. So if you are aiming for some powerful hitting, you can choose any 2016 Worth offering and it will prove right for you.

Slowpitch Softball Bats and Fastpitch Softball Bat

Slowpitch and fastpitch softball games are different because of the difference in the speed of pitch in them. In the slowpitch games, the pitch speeds usually keep near 25 mph. In fastpitch games, the pitch speeds often go beyond 80 mph.

As a result, the design of the bats used in slowpitch games are slightly different from those used in fastpitch games. The major difference between the two types of bats is in weight and size.

As a rule-of-thumb, slowpitch bats are focused more on the hitting impact rather than speed. That’s because since the slowpitch games involve slow pitch speeds, the player does not need to swing the bat too quickly. This relaxes the need for speed so that the player can instead focus on the momentum and impact of the swing.

Consequently, slowpitch bats are usually heavier in comparison to fastpitch bats, weighing between 26 ounces and 30 ounces. The length range of slowpitch bats is fairly narrow, most bats between either 33 inches in length or at the maximum, of 34 length.

Typically, the overall construction and manufacture of the slowpitch bats is sturdier than fastpitch bats.Fastpitch bats, in comparison, are designed in such a way as to make them as light-weight as possible.

That is natural because fastpitch games involve ball pitches traveling at great speeds and the players need a quick swing in order to react to such swings in a timely manner. Consequently, the bats have to be light-weight enough for the player to swing it with lightning-fast speeds.

Typically, the weights of fastpitch bats are lower than slowpitch bats. Compared to the weight range of slowpitch bats, fastpitch bats have a weight that ranges between 23 ounces and 28 ounces. The range of length of fastpitch bats is more extensive

Both slowpitch and fastpitch bats usually have a barrel diameter of 2 inch. Both varieties are available as manufactured from different materials such as alloy, composite and hybrid. Most leading bat manufacturers offer a wide variety of bats in each category.

How to Pick a Fastpitch Softball Bat

Choosing a fastpitch softball bat is not an easy job. As a rule, it depends on the age and preferences of the player. A fastpitch bat used by a youth player is usually of a length ranging from 26 to 32 inches. A bat wielded by players in high school and colleges, on the other hand, usually ranges between 30 and 34 inches in length.

The chart below will give a quick estimate as to exactly what size suits you. Once you have determined the exact length of the bat that suits you, you can move on to other factors that need your attention. The chart is as follows:

After you have found the right length of the bat, the next thing to consider are player preferences. Does the player like to swing heavy bats for forceful hitting or does she prefer lighter bats for quick swinging? Usually such softball players who are sure of their strength and know they can send a ball flying into the distance with their hit prefer solid, stiff and heavier bats.

This gives them the advantage of channeling all their strength into the barrel and make the most of a swing. This preference also usually decides what kind of manufacturing material you should prefer. If the player wants a solid, heavy bat, it is usually advisable to go with a stiff alloy bat.

Players who rely on lighter bats are usually looking for speed. Lighter speeds are easier to swing and players can use them with lightning-fast speeds. This makes it possible for players to improve their reaction time with such bats. For such players, it is usually preferable to use composite or aluminum bats which offer greater flex-bend and are single wall.

It is also advisable to be aware of the leagues where the bat you want to buy will be used. Certain leagues have specific certification requirements. Bats are specifically stamped for leagues such as USSSA, NSA, ISA and ASA. If you want to use the bat at a specific league, you should make sure that the bat is stamped for that league.