Softball Bats

Fastpitch or slowpitch?

Fastpitch is the game played by girls' and women's teams from rec ball through the NCAA: an 11" or 12" ball pitched overhand-windmill at speed, hit with a light, balanced bat that the hitter can get through the zone fast. Slowpitch is the adult rec and tournament game, men's, women's and co-ed: a 12" ball lobbed underhand, hit with a heavier, often end-loaded bat built to launch it. The bats look similar and both have 2 1/4" barrels, but the weights, the stamps and the construction are different, and every league checks.

Stamps

Fastpitch bats are stamped for USA Softball (the former ASA), USSSA, NSA, ISA and WBSC, and most current models carry all of them. Slowpitch bats are usually sold in a USSSA version (the 240 stamp) and a USA Softball version, with NSA and ISA typically on the USA bat; senior leagues use the SSUSA 1.21 BPF stamp. The listing title tells you which stamp you are buying.

What we carry

On the fastpitch side, the Easton Ghost family leads, with the Rawlings Mantra and Halo, Mizuno CRBN Pro and Marucci Asura behind it, plus alloy bats for young players. On the slowpitch side, Miken (Freak, KP23, Ultra Gamer), Worth (Bedlam, Legit, Krecher, Supercell), Easton (Tantrum, Alpha, Hype Fire, Obscura), Victus, Marucci, Combat, Axe and Anarchy cover every load and stamp. Senior slowpitch bats have their own collection.

Frequently asked questions

Can a fastpitch bat be used in slowpitch? Some leagues allow any 2 1/4" bat with an approved stamp, but a fastpitch bat is too light and will not perform. Buy the right bat for the game.

What length fastpitch bat? 30" to 32" for most 10U to 14U players, 32" to 34" for high school and college. See the sizing guide on the fastpitch bats page.

What weight slowpitch bat? 26 and 27 ounces are the most common; 25 for bat speed, 28 for power hitters.

Do softball bats need a break-in? Composite barrels do, 150 to 200 swings at moderate effort. Alloy bats are ready out of the wrapper.