Whether you play slowpitch softball, fastpitch, or even both, you know that there are various differences between the two types of softball. For example, bunting is illegal in slowpitch softball yet very legal in fastpitch. The pitching also greatly varies between the two, including speed, arc, and even the motion for throwing the ball.
However, another key difference between slowpitch and fastpitch is the bats that are used at the plate. So, what exactly are some notable variances, and what exactly is the “method behind the madness?”
How are Slowpitch and Fastpitch Bats Different?
As a kind of vague overview, these bats are designed with specific purposes in mind: power and fast reaction. Let’s take a closer look at these unique features of both types of bats and what they provide the batter.
Slowpitch Bats: Power
Slowpitch bats are typically built in order to contribute necessary power in every swing, since the ball is coming in slowly and with low speed. Pitches in slowpitch softball only come towards the plate at an average speed of 25mph, after all.
Therefore, batters can’t quite utilize the power from the pitch to “bang” the ball; they need a powerful bat to pair to their own body’s power to drive the ball farther and harder.
Fastpitch Bats: Quick Reactions
Fastpitch bats, in contrast, are created for fast reaction time for each and every swing. Fastpitch softball pitches come in shockingly fast, as the pitches can reach 50 or 60 mph, depending on the level of play.
Since the pitches are coming towards the batter’s box so fast, the batter needs the added advantage of a bat that won’t slow down their swing speed, hence fastpitch bats.
Slowpitch Bats: Heavier in Weight
Because the bats for slow pitch softball require more power and swing speed isn’t much of a primary issue, they are indeed heavier in weight. The heavier the weight, the more powerful a bat can be. These bats range in weight from 25 to 30 ounces.
Fastpitch Bats: Lighter and Have Drop Weights
Contrastingly, fastpitch bats are significantly lighter than slowpitch bats because, as aforementioned, speed is one of the most important aspects of your swing. Without fast swing speed, that ball is whizzing past you and landing in the catcher’s glove before you even finish swinging through.
Another very important aspect of fastpitch bats is their drop weight, which slowpitch bats do no use as they don’t really matter. A bat’s drop weight is found by finding the difference between the length and weight of the bat overall. This helps a batter determine if their swing would be too slow or just right in the batter’s box. The larger the drop weight, the lighter the bat.
Where to Buy DeMarini Slowpitch and Fastpitch Softball Bats
As a slowpitch softball player, you should equip yourself with nothing other than the best so you can step up to the plate with confidence. One of the best brands out there in the softball world is easily DeMarini. When searching for DeMarini slowpitch softball bats, look nowhere else except HbSports.
HbSports has a wide range of DeMarini slowpitch softball bats for sale, but also has plenty of DeMarini fastpitch softball bats, too! Be sure to give them a call today with any questions you may have about their high-quality softball and baseball gear at 888-540-BATS.
