Best Slowpitch Softball Bats Buying Guide – Top Reviews

​One-Piece vs Two-Piece

The biggest dilemma that most players face is whether to choose a one-piece or two-piece. Although the decision might be easy for pro’s, the same cannot be said for new ones or armatures. However, the biggest issue is usually lack of knowledge of the difference between the two.

A one-piece bat comes as a single unit, and there is no connection between parts and it is usually more balanced and stiffer. However, it is tricky to control vibrations, and so you should be prepared to take some vibration on a miss-hit ball.

A two piece, on the other hand, consists of a barrel and handle joined using technology, and it has less vibration and more flex. The downside of the two-piece is that it is end-loaded, and hence, it is heavier to swing than a one-piece.

Although the choice will depend on personal preferences power hitters will benefit most from the two-piece while the one-piece works best for contact hitters.

Construction Materials

​The material is one of the most important if not the most important thing that you should consider before paying for any bat. Typically, Slow Pitch bats are made from either composite, aluminum or wood, but there are still a few others made from half aluminum and wood.

Each material has a different feel in the hand, and their swing will also vary. For example, a composite bat is made from resin, fiberglass and graphite and it is very light. Lightweight increases power and swing speed making it suitable for professionals. It also has a large sweet spot and also the best balance when you compare it to other bats. On the other hand, Aluminum ones are ideal for non-professional players as they are light but do not have as much power as the composite.

​Approvals To Use In Leagues

​It will be sad to spend hundreds of dollars on a best slowpitch bat only to find out that it does not have approval for play in your league. Different leagues are managed by various boards and before any bat can be endorsed they have to test it.

Many manufacturers will provide information on approvals for free, and so you should ensure that the body in charge of your league has approved it. A good bat should, at least, get an endorsement from USSSA, ISA, NSA, and ASA.

Weight: Balanced Bat vs. Endload Bat

​The weight of a Slowpitch softball bat ranges between 26 and 30 ounces, but you can still find many that are outside this range. However, when shopping, you should consider the weight distribution and for this, you have to choose between balanced and endload.

Weight distribution is vital as it is what determines how heavy a bat feels. The balanced ones have their weight distributed evenly throughout the bat, and so they are suitable for players who want as much bat speed as possible (contact hitters). Endload, on the other hand, tends to have most of the weight oriented towards their barrel, and so they work best for power hitters.

​Length

Although the length is also crucial, it should not worry you much since most are 34 inches long. It is the maximum allowed in most leagues, and a majority of players will not have any trouble swinging it. Issues may only arise if you are small or don’t have enough power to swing the 34-inch but you can easily solve this problem by choking up on your bat to reduce its length. However, it is still possible to find shorter ones if you wish but make sure that its length and your height are proportional.

​Barrel Size

​The barrel size is the distance between the sweet spot and grip. Like most other things the right one will depend on the level that you are playing at, your height and also the league.

Two and a quarter inches barrel diameter is sufficient for most players below 12 years, but some leagues use larger sizes that are two and three-quarters inches in diameter. However, college and high school players are restricted to a maximum barrel size of 2 5/8 inches.

​​Grip

The grip is as important as all the other factors when shopping for best slow pitch softball bats. You should go for something that feels most comfortable to your hands. Most come in either synthetic leather or leather, and both have merits and demerits. Considering and comparing between the pros and cons should help you make a decision.

Some bats also come with some cushioning to absorb shock, and so this gives them a better grip. Although you can change the grip, it will cost you an extra amount of money, and so you should make sure that the bat has an excellent grip before buying it.​

​Taper

​A taper may look like just a necessary part of the bat as it joins the barrel to the handle but it is still as important as any other part. The taper is the width of the bottom part of your bat handle, and it is one of the things that most people do not know about, and so it is always an issue for players to choose the right size. However, you should go for bats with small tapers since they make it feel lighter and also allows for fast wrist movement.

​Budget

​You cannot buy what you can’t afford and so before going out to purchase a bat consider how much money you are willing to spend. Although there are some that will cost up to $500 you can still find one that is below $100.

The quality might not be the same, but the cheaper one will still give you some nice power and swing if you chose a brand from a reputable company like Miken, Easton or DeMarini. And so this means that you do not have to strain yourself financially to get a bat as you can always get something that is within your budget.

​Customer Reviews

​Customer reviews are the most reliable source of information when shopping for anything, and the best slow pitch bats are not an exception. If you want to get something reliable whether you are a pro or not, you should read what others have to say about it.

Reading slowpitch softball bat reviews may be the difference between getting a quality bat and a bad one. However, you should ensure that they are genuine customer reviews since some sites will often pay to get biased positive reviews.

​The best slowpitch softball bats are not necessarily the most expensive because what is right for you will mostly depend on your personal preferences. With the above ten points in mind, you should not have any trouble choosing one that will work best for you. However, you should always aim to get something that will not only perform well for you but will also feel comfortable on your hand.