So maybe you’re ready to spend some money on buying a great fastpitch softball bat, and you want it to last.
Maybe you did a little bit of research, and you’re ready to pay somewhere between $200 to $350, and you start wondering how long it will last?
While it’s quite difficult to predict an expiration date on a bat, usually, though, in normal circumstances, both composite and aluminum bats tend to last a year before they start losing their pop.
Several factors can affect the bat’s rebound strength. There are also a couple of things that need to be considered if you want to prolong a bat’s life.
In this post, we’ll walk you through some tips on how you can take care of your fast-pitch softball bat for it to last:
The Break-In Period
Usually, if you’re purchasing fast-pitch softball bats made of aluminum, there’s no break-in period needed. Basically, they’re ready to go as soon as you take them off their packaging.
However, this isn’t always the same with composite barrel bats. It would help if you spent some time before these things can reach their peak performance.
Usually, you’ll need around 150 to 2000 hits on composite bats before they can be at their full potential. Newer models can offer better performance, though.
If you’re breaking a composite bat, you have to start off with approximately 50% power and gradually increase it when the swing count rises. It’s also essential to rotate the bat on every swing. That way, you can evenly break the bat.
Temperature
Many people think that composite fast-pitch softball bats are a lot more sensitive to temperature than their alloy counterparts when it comes to temperature.
Usually, most manufacturers will offer minimum temperatures when using their bats.
As a rule of thumb, though, we suggest that you try to avoid or at least limit bat temperatures to at least below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also worth noting that composite bats have higher increased pop in warm temperatures or weather.
Keep It Clean
One of the simplest things that you can do to take care of your bat is to keep it clean. If you’re wondering how, then usually, a little soap and water are already enough to do the trick.
Additional Tips:
Here are also some pretty handy tips that you should take note of when taking care of your fast-pitch bat:
- Limit using your game bat in the batting cage. Meaning, you should save the wear and tear on your bat on where it matters most, and that’s during the game.
- Don’t practice with dimpled balls. Usually, practicing with these can damage your bat in the long run. Ideally, you should only be hitting regulation leather-covered balls. It should never be a cage or waterlogged balls.
- Try to limit the number of people who use the same bat, as bats eventually do break. The fewer the hits on the back, the more it will last.
- Don’t use your bat to get rid of the dirt on your cleats, as this can also damage it. As tempting as it may seem to bang your bat against your cleats, this will nick the paint, or even worse, damage the shell of the bat.
- If you’re using a wooden bat, you should swing the label facing towards you. This is one of the most common mistakes many players make, which can lead to a bat being prematurely damaged.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Those are some handy tips for taking care of your fast-pitch softball bat. Hopefully, this information will allow you to get the most out of your bat. Good luck!
