Softball...

omahilo · #1 08-25-07, 05:49 AM

its not a bad bat... I got a older one (04 I think) for free from demarini a few months ago. the big question is what kind of balls do you use.

If you use .44 cor 375 compression then its a good bat for you because those are the balls that the demarini 375 is made to hit. if you use .44 cor 525 compression or .47 cor balls then it wont be as good of a bat for you because it will end up denting very easily because the harder the ball is the more likely it will dent that kind of bat.

I mean if you hit .47 cor balls with the 375 it will hit them good but the life of the bat wont be nearly as long since it is a doublewall bat.

omahilo · #2 08-25-07, 05:59 AM

also most of those bats on there are composite, they just dont say it since I guess they assume if you are looking for a bat that you know if it is composite or not.

These would be my personal recommandations if I was buying a bat.

or if you wanted to spend alittle more money...

Also the easton synergy extended wouldnt be a bad bat either. The biggest thing with composite bats are that they need to be broke in. So it will take a few hundred hits with the bat before it even starts to hit the way you expect. The fibers of the bat are stiff starting out and as you start to hit it they will loosen up and it will start hitting the shit out of the ball. So if your team wants to take some BP if you buy a composite bat, go for it. It will only help the bat get better.

if you arent sold on the composite bats one of the best doublewall bats Ive ever swung was this one.

This use to be my favorite bat before switching over to composite bats.

omahilo · #3 08-25-07, 06:03 AM

this is a batwars event in your area in September if you want to go and hit all the bats for yourself. I went to the one in Michigan in July, it is pretty sweet. For $10 you get to swing every kind of bat you can think of. It gives you a good idea of which bats are junk and which ones you would consider buying.

Talking Poker · #4 08-25-07, 02:07 PM

I thought we were using 375s, but after a little research, now I think we use 525s - Standard Blue Dots...? I'd rather err on the side that gives me the most bat life, so I guess I should scratch the Demarini 375 bat and look at these composites.

The ones you recommended look good - I wish there was a good way to compare them with each other. I never knew there were so many choices when it comes to slowpitch softball bats!

That batwars thing looks sweet, but I was really hoping to have the bat before then. It might be wort waiting though.

BTW - Should I go with the standard 34/28, or do you recommend something else? I won't be the only one using the bat, but it will mostly be for me - I'm 6'5" and don't have any bat speed problems (I don't think). I have good bat control and can hit to any field easily.

Talking Poker · #5 08-25-07, 02:23 PM

After doing a little more research, I'll probably go with one of your top two recommendations.

I see you linked to the balanced NRG 600 (not the Maxload), but to the Freak Plus which I believe is endloaded. Do you prefer one over the other? I can't say that I've ever even swung an end-loaded bat, so I'm not sure which I would like better.

So many questions!

Talking Poker · #6 08-25-07, 04:51 PM

OK, I've all but settled on the Freak Plus. Everyone loves it. People even make YouTube tributes to it:

Anyway, I just need to decide what weight to go with. It looks like you can get them brand new (and returnable) for $199 all over the place.

Thanks for the help, omahilo.

Tony Cheval · #7 08-25-07, 06:03 PM

Lol, doesn't he know that 'SCUD missiles' never go where you want them to?

Akverno · #8 08-26-07, 01:04 AM

Good choice with the Freak.

If you wanted to buy two bats, I'd suggest going with the Easton Synergy.

Instead of hitting a few hundred times with a bat (to break it in) you can always wrap the bat in a towel and whack it with a rubber mallet.

In terms of weight, I'm a fan of the 28oz bats myself.

Talking Poker · #9 08-26-07, 02:01 AM

Thanks.

I've done a lot of reading today - read about "rolling" bats and everything. The Freak Plus (I decided on that one - I like that it's not ASA legal) is supposed to be really good right out of the wrapper, so I'll probably just play with it right away... I might give it a little BP to see how far I can hit with it before taking it to a game, but I don't think it will really matter.

I also decided the 28 was probably the best weight... I know some people prefer lighter and some people prefer heavier, but I think middle of the road should be just fine.

BTW - The best deal I found anywhere was here:

$189.99 and free shipping. Nice!