Softball Bat Buying Guide
Finding the right fastpitch softball bat is all about matching the bat to the player, not just the hype. Factors like bat length, weight, drop, and league approval all play a big role in comfort and confidence at the plate for young athletes or experienced hitters. Material choice also matters. Alloy bats offer durability and composite bats delivering a larger sweet spot and smoother feel. Whether you’re shopping for your first bat or dialing in an upgrade, the right fit can help any player swing faster, hit harder, and succeed in the batter's box.
Here are a few tips to help make your next bat purchase a little easier.
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Bat Length
Measure the height and weight of the player you are buying the bat for. Once you have this information, you can use this chart as a guide for the necessary bat length. The below chart can act as a good jumping off point when searching for the right size bat.
To double check if the length works for you, hold the bat to your side and as long as your palm can reach the handle while the head of the bat is touching the ground, the length of the bat should work for you. If you have to bend over to grab the handle, the bat is probably too short and you should consider a larger size.
Most Popular Length By Age
Age 17+ 15-16 13-14 11-12 10 8-9 5-7 Length 33"-34" 32"-34" 31"-32" 30"-31" 28"-29" 26"-28" 24"-26" -
Bat Weight
Now that you know the length of your bat, you know need to pick out the proper bat weight, more commonly referred to as a drop. A drop refers to the length of the bat minus the weight. For example, if a bat is 30 inches long and has a drop weight of -5, the bat will weight 25 ounces. So, the larger the drop weight, the less the bat will weigh. Younger players tend to use a bigger drop weight while older players will use a smaller one. Here’s a quick list of drop recommendations based on the player’s age:
Fastpitch Drop Recommendations
Age 16+ 14+ 12+ 8 to 13 8 to 12 Weight Drop -10, -9, -8 -10, -9 -10 -11 -12 -
Bat Material
This section provides a quick rundown of the different metal types you will come across and what the differences are between each:
Alloy Bats
Alloy bats have been around for years. Often called “aluminum bats”, alloy bats tend to be less expensive than their composite counterparts and do not require any break-in time. While they will have a smaller sweet spot than a composite bat, alloy bats can still be used even if they become damaged as they tend to simply dent instead of crack, which helps extend the bat’s lifespan. If you are just getting into the game or simply aren’t sure of what type of bat to buy, alloy is usually the safest purchase.
Composite Bats
Composite bats are made of material very similar to carbon fiber, giving the manufacturers much more control over the weight distribution of the bat. They can be made with the weight evenly distributed, or end-loaded where the end of the barrel of the bat carries a larger portion of the weight. Composite bats tend to have a larger sweet spot, but, unlike the other types we will discuss in this section, they do require a break-in time of about 150 hits. We also don’t recommend using this bat in temperatures below 60°F as the colder temperature may cause the bat to crack. However, if taken care of, this bat can last a very long time.
Hybrid Bats
Like its name suggests, hybrid bats are a combination of composite bats and alloy bats. Traditionally featuring an alloy barrel and a composite handle, hybrid bats combine the durability of alloy with the lighter weight of composite.
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Find One You Like!
Once you’ve locked in the right length and drop, it’s all about feel and performance. Focus on barrel size, swing balance, and material to find a bat that feels confident in your hands and matches your swing style. The right fastpitch bat should feel like a natural extension of your swing, not something you have to think about:
If you are still unsure about your purchase, let us help! One of our softball bat experts will be happy to help find the right bat to fit your requirements. Give us a call at 833-908-3923 or email us directly at customer.service@softball.com.