At the youth level (Little League Baseball and Softball) there is no distinction between a baseball bat and a softball bat. A 30-inch youth bat is the same regardless of which sport it is used for.
Are softball bats different than baseball bats?
Softball bats are typically longer than baseball bats and often weigh slightly less than baseball bats, making them a little easier to swing. Softball bats are almost always metal, although wooden softball bats can be used, especially in men’s softball leagues.
What kind of bat do you use for softball?
Composite Bats. The two primary materials used for fastpitch softball bats are aluminum alloy and composite. Composite bats are made with a layered material (typically carbon fiber) that is easy to distribute, giving us the ability to make bats with a variety of swing weights, from balanced to end-loaded.
What makes a softball bat illegal?
Bats that are broken, altered or that deface the ball are illegal. Materials inside the bat or treatments/devices used to alter the bat specifications and/or enhance performance (e.g., shaving, rolling or artificially warming the bat barrel) are prohibited and render the bat illegal.
Can I use a baseball bat for softball?
As long as the league allows it, you can use a baseball bat for softball. However, we’re not sure a league exists with such rules. Basically, both types of bats are carefully designed for their particular games. Baseball bats have larger barrels, and are generally heavier in weight.
Are baseball and softball rules the same?
In baseball, the ball is pitched from an elevated mound that is 60-feet away from the plate. … In softball, the ball has to be thrown underhand. In baseball, the pitch is almost always done overhand or sidearm. We say ‘almost always’ because there is nothing in the rules stopping a baseball pitcher throwing underhand.
How do you pick a softball bat?
A great guideline for selecting the right softball bat is to take the bat and put the knob in the middle of your chest, and if you can grab the barrel with your hand, then you have found a good length. At the end of the day, your bat choice comes down to feel and strength.
Is a heavier bat better for softball?
1) Softball Bat Weight
As a general rule, bigger, stronger players usually prefer a heavier bat for maximum power. Smaller players usually benefit from a lighter bat that allows greater bat speed.
What does a softball bat mean?
The number that you see on bats refers to the length of the bat (in inches) subtracted from the weight (in ounces). So if you have a bat that’s 28 inches long that weighs 20 ounces you’d have a -8 bat.
Is shaving a bat legal?
Bat shaving is illegal in all baseball and softball associations. They all consider this to be altering a bat. The reason for this is once a bat is shaved the associations’ distance restrictions on bats is no longer within limits.
Is rolling your bat illegal?
Is It Illegal? Bat rolling is not illegal. As a matter of fact, all composite bats must be rolled in testing before they are deemed legal for play. … Bat rolling is most prevalent amongst the slowpitch softball community, but in some occasions, fastpitch softball players also take to bat rolling.
Can you tell if a bat has been rolled?
Other ways to tell if a bat has been rolled is the graphics peeling off the bat in odd places, normally where the end of the rollers meet the bat. Another way to tell if a bat has been rolled is by residue from bat roller material left behind on the bat. On some bats there are “roller marks” left on the bat.
Which is harder softball or baseball?
Many people often question if softball is harder than base ball or vise versa. … However, it is scientifically proven that softball is harder than baseball. The speed of pitches, the reaction time for hitters and fielders, and the distance of the field indicates that softball is indeed harder than baseball.
Why are wooden bats not allowed in softball?
You can probably hack at almost any pitch with one of the newer, technologically-advanced bats because the bat’s sweet spot is so large. However, a wood bat requires you to hit the ball true. That means you can’t hack at every pitch. A more selective eye will help you wait for the pitch you really want.
Do baseball bats make a difference?
So using a bat with higher q did matter, by 14 feet. At the youth level, variation in swing speeds from hitter to hitter is far greater than variation in bats. … At the youth baseball level, variation in swing speed has a far greater impact on the distance a ball is hit than variation in q.