How does one go about choosing a softball bat?

[Slew Foot]

I havent played baseball since littel league and some guys are setting up a league at work. Do places let you try out bats before you buy them? Is there anything specific I should look for in a slow pitch softball bat?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

you need to know if your league is ASA or the other one (SSA?) Both leagues have different legal bats.

You can buy a bat for $50, or you can buy one for $450. Depends on your budget. From the sounds of it, you probably aren't spending alot. There are online forums for softball and they will review bats. If you go to the store and see a bat that fits your budget, you can go home and do research on it.

Basically the 3 variables are length, weight, and material.

 

[Evadman]

I get the longest and heaviest I can find. Wood only. The end can not be 'relieved' or whatever they call it where the end is concave/

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well seeing as you have played baseball, you know that, despite what Evadman does, swinging the heaviest bat, more times than not, makes you look like a moron. Since it is slow pitch soft ball you may be able to get away with a heavier bat since you have pretty much all year to decide whether or not you are going to swing at the pitch as well as executing the swing.

You also need to watch out about length. Make sure the Length:Weight ratio adheres to specs set by the league. I would think that with slow pitch softball it would be a -5, but it may be a -3.

As for metal or wood, it is really what you feel comfortable with. Metal will go farther and are generally favored if given the choice, Wood really isn't necessary and will hamper the distance you can hit the ball.

I haven't found a place that will let you try out Baseball/Softball bats before you actually buy them (Golf really has it beat on that), but you never know.

-Kevin

(Oh and remember to buy a Softball bat. They barrel remains almost the same width throughout instead of increasing in width like a baseball bat)