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Slowpitch Softball players (1 Viewer)

Franknbeans

Franknbeans

Footballguy
any good bat recommendations?

I have recently gotten back into softball after a 15 year hiatus and I am realizing I have no clue what a good slow pitch bat is anymore. I used to rock a 31 ounce Louisville slugger but they don't even make them that big anymore. It seems most are 28 ounce. Just wondering if anyone has some first hand experiences they'd like to share.

 
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Franknbeans said:
any good bat recommendations?

I have recently gotten back into softball after a 15 year hiatus and I am realizing I have now clue what good slow pitch bat is anymore. I used to rock a 31 ounce Louisville slugger but they don't even make them that big anymore. It seems most are 28 ounce. Just wondering if anyone has some first hand experiences they'd like to share.
Click to expand...
I go with a wood wonderboy.

 
Franknbeans said:
Well, I officially qualified for the senior circuit this year so I think we're using old man balls.
Click to expand...
Take advantage of the rules for 50+ and buy a Miken Ultra or a Miken Ultra II

 
There are exceptions I suppose, but in the world of composite bats, you get what you pay for, for the most part.

 
Megla said:
Franknbeans said:
Well, I officially qualified for the senior circuit this year so I think we're using old man balls.
Click to expand...
Take advantage of the rules for 50+ and buy a Miken Ultra or a Miken Ultra II
Click to expand...
Careful though. Some of those Ultras are not ASA compliant and that may be a stipulation of the league.

 
Franknbeans said:
Well, I officially qualified for the senior circuit this year so I think we're using old man balls.
Click to expand...
Old man balls? Are those the ones that don't go as far because they are all saggy and wrinkled?

 
I just got done with an 8 week, coed YMCA slow pitch softball league. Overall, it was fun but the rules were silly. First, games were only an hour long. And the lineup had to go boy girl boy girl etc. Also, if a guy walked, he immediately went to 2nd base instead of 1st (to prevent people intentionally walking girls). Finally, another odd rule was that everyone started batting with a 1-1 count. I guess this is done to speed the game up.

If you are buying equipment, such as a new bat, I suggest checking out one of the used sporting goods places like Play It Again Sports. The prices for new equipment is insane, imo.

 
Franknbeans said:
any good bat recommendations?

I have recently gotten back into softball after a 15 year hiatus and I am realizing I have no clue what a good slow pitch bat is anymore. I used to rock a 31 ounce Louisville slugger but they don't even make them that big anymore. It seems most are 28 ounce. Just wondering if anyone has some first hand experiences they'd like to share.
Click to expand...
My first slow pitch bat was the original TPS Powerdome 30 oz. Some of you probably remember that old black and orange beast. Swung DeMarini doublewalls for several years when I played most competitively. Last several years I have hit Easton Synergys. Been using 26 oz bats since going away from Louisvilles. I prefer Eastons to Miken and Mizuno and Combat though I have hit each. I would get the hottest Easton or Miken allowed for your league.Fwiw, I played all USSSA with the exception of a few tourneys that were ASA.

 
:blows out:

Need to know:

1. What type of "league" are you in? ASA, NSA, USSSA? It's very likely your league follows one of these rules and there are distinct rules for each type of league regarding which bats you can use.

2. What kind of balls are you playing with (i.e. why type/number core)? Ideally you fit the bat to the ball.

3. What type of hitter are you? Do you want power or do you want a wider sweet spot and more balanced bat for base hitting?

4. How much you looking to spend?

 
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Megla said:
Franknbeans said:
Well, I officially qualified for the senior circuit this year so I think we're using old man balls.
Click to expand...
Take advantage of the rules for 50+ and buy a Miken Ultra or a Miken Ultra II
Click to expand...
If you're in seniors and can use a senior bat the Ultra II is a no-brainer. Most powerful softball bat ever made.

 
eoMMan said:
I just got done with an 8 week, coed YMCA slow pitch softball league. Overall, it was fun but the rules were silly. First, games were only an hour long. And the lineup had to go boy girl boy girl etc. Also, if a guy walked, he immediately went to 2nd base instead of 1st (to prevent people intentionally walking girls). Finally, another odd rule was that everyone started batting with a 1-1 count. I guess this is done to speed the game up.

If you are buying equipment, such as a new bat, I suggest checking out one of the used sporting goods places like Play It Again Sports. The prices for new equipment is insane, imo.
Click to expand...
All this is incredibly standard for coed, even at the highest levels. Not sure why you find them "silly".

 
I really need to get into a league next season. For most of these leagues, can you keep the cooler of beer on the field, or do you have to leave it in the dugout?

 
And with that I'm off to league. Swinging the Demarini One, 2014 ASA bat tonight if anyone wondering.

 
The Commish said:
Slow pitch softball is still a thing?
Click to expand...
Actually I am pretty impressed. There was a 77 year old who kept smashing the ball up the middle. Dude was like 7 for 8 for the day. There are 5 teams of guys who have been playing together in various leagues and combinations for about 15 years. I am the young pup but they're friendly and it's been fun. I just feel so out of it. I started off with a double header the first week and had trouble getting out of my car for 2 days. They have a bunch of DeMarini? and I am rocking a 2000 TPS Louisville slugger that I got at a yard sale for $3.

 
Franknbeans said:
The Commish said:
Slow pitch softball is still a thing?
Click to expand...
Actually I am pretty impressed. There was a 77 year old who kept smashing the ball up the middle. Dude was like 7 for 8 for the day. There are 5 teams of guys who have been playing together in various leagues and combinations for about 15 years. I am the young pup but they're friendly and it's been fun. I just feel so out of it. I started off with a double header the first week and had trouble getting out of my car for 2 days. They have a bunch of DeMarini? and I am rocking a 2000 TPS Louisville slugger that I got at a yard sale for $3.
Click to expand...
Yeah don't do that. Get a real bat. See my questions above. Or, if you're allowed, get an Ultra II.

 
oh and I'm definitely thinking of hitting up the local Play it Again Sports. I have no desire to lay out 3 bills for a bat. So far, I have spent only 3, one dollar bills and I talked the lady down from 5.

It's supposedly modified ASA for senior softball.

They use a special first base that's doubled with one for the runner, one for the fielder. Also, there are 2 home plates so all you have to do is throw home to force the runner. You can also run through the base at second and third to avoid collisions. Obviously, it is safety first with the old timers but man, they are pretty good.

 
Zow said:
eoMMan said:
I just got done with an 8 week, coed YMCA slow pitch softball league. Overall, it was fun but the rules were silly. First, games were only an hour long. And the lineup had to go boy girl boy girl etc. Also, if a guy walked, he immediately went to 2nd base instead of 1st (to prevent people intentionally walking girls). Finally, another odd rule was that everyone started batting with a 1-1 count. I guess this is done to speed the game up.

If you are buying equipment, such as a new bat, I suggest checking out one of the used sporting goods places like Play It Again Sports. The prices for new equipment is insane, imo.
Click to expand...
All this is incredibly standard for coed, even at the highest levels. Not sure why you find them "silly".
Click to expand...
Yeah our coed league does this except the girl only walks if it's 3 balls and 0 strikes to the guy. Once the guy gets a strike then girls don't automatically walk if the guy does. Yeah I've never played in softball league that gave you 3 strikes.

 
Demarini Flipper is the best ASA bat, but it runs $299. I bought a Louisville Z3000, 26 oz for $150. Go lighter, these new bats are all about bat speed.

 
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The team already has a bunch of bats so I really don't need to get one but I am having trouble finding one that feels right. They may even have a couple of the bats listed here but I haven't a clue what is considered good so thanks. I am more of a gap hitter at this stage but I don't need much because I have wheels. Prefer a bigger sweet spot.

The cool thing was after our league was over, there was a (younger) Spanish league that came in to play modified fast pitch and man, was that fun to watch. Not to mention they were all decked out in pro-looking uniforms. One team was the Piratas. One dude was built like a refrigerator and the team smelled like cologne

 
The team has some bats that have a white piece of tape around the handle. Only the players 65+ can use them so I imagine they're the best ones. I was 3 for 4 with 3 walks using my yard sale bargain as we took down the previously undefeated first place team on Sunday.

 
Franknbeans said:
The team already has a bunch of bats so I really don't need to get one but I am having trouble finding one that feels right. They may even have a couple of the bats listed here but I haven't a clue what is considered good so thanks. I am more of a gap hitter at this stage but I don't need much because I have wheels. Prefer a bigger sweet spot.

The cool thing was after our league was over, there was a (younger) Spanish league that came in to play modified fast pitch and man, was that fun to watch. Not to mention they were all decked out in pro-looking uniforms. One team was the Piratas. One dude was built like a refrigerator and the team smelled like cologne
Click to expand...
Were they blasting some old Stevie B or Coro? Maybe TKA?

 
jon_mx said:
Demarini Flipper is the best ASA bat, but it runs $299. I bought a Louisville Z3000, 26 oz for $150. Go lighter, these new bats are all about bat speed.
Click to expand...
Eh, I never really liked the flipper. For Asa, the Demarini One rated as the best bat of 2014. A big fan. I also liked the miken triad and monsta Asa. Of course, if you can get your hands on the original mizuno crush or an Easton og extended those asa bats were great. I'm also a huge fan of the rip it reaper for control swinging. Loved that bat.

Totally agree with you btw on the 26 ounce. Zero reason to go higher.

 
Well, here's your predicament. You like your bat. You like the 26 oz. you don't want to spent the coin needed to significantly improve. It's also bad form kind of to borrow your teammates' really good bats.

Sounds like sticking with your garage sale bat is the play. :shrug:

 
Zow said:
Well, here's your predicament. You like your bat. You like the 26 oz. you don't want to spent the coin needed to significantly improve. It's also bad form kind of to borrow your teammates' really good bats.

Sounds like sticking with your garage sale bat is the play. :shrug:
Click to expand...
That's considered bad form? I didn't know that especially since some guys bring 3 different bats. I thought it was find one that you can hit with. I will check out the Play it Again sports to see if there are any more current than mine, though. Thanks for the tips.

 
Franknbeans said:
Zow said:
Well, here's your predicament. You like your bat. You like the 26 oz. you don't want to spent the coin needed to significantly improve. It's also bad form kind of to borrow your teammates' really good bats.

Sounds like sticking with your garage sale bat is the play. :shrug:
Click to expand...
That's considered bad form? I didn't know that especially since some guys bring 3 different bats. I thought it was find one that you can hit with.
Click to expand...
It's bad form only if you don't ask - players tend to spend a lot of coin on these bats.

 
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brohans we have specially configured this bat for lamars limpwristed batting style take that to the bank

 
jon_mx said:
Zow said:
Megla said:
Franknbeans said:
Well, I officially qualified for the senior circuit this year so I think we're using old man balls.
Click to expand...
Take advantage of the rules for 50+ and buy a Miken Ultra or a Miken Ultra II
Click to expand...
If you're in seniors and can use a senior bat the Ultra II is a no-brainer. Most powerful softball bat ever made.
Click to expand...
He may be a senior, but it does not sound like a senior league.
Click to expand...
There's two home plates, its a Senior league

 
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Franknbeans said:
Zow said:
Well, here's your predicament. You like your bat. You like the 26 oz. you don't want to spent the coin needed to significantly improve. It's also bad form kind of to borrow your teammates' really good bats.

Sounds like sticking with your garage sale bat is the play. :shrug:
Click to expand...
That's considered bad form? I didn't know that especially since some guys bring 3 different bats. I thought it was find one that you can hit with. I will check out the Play it Again sports to see if there are any more current than mine, though. Thanks for the tips.
Click to expand...
It's considered bad form simply because todays compsite bats have a self life of about 300-350 swings before they either break or stop passing the compresion testing.

Spend the $199, buy a Ultra II and thank me when you start hitting the ball in the face consistently. This bat has the largest sweet spot in softball, so much so that it was deemed illegal in all sanctioned play with the exception of Seniors.

 
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Franknbeans said:
The Commish said:
Slow pitch softball is still a thing?
Click to expand...
Actually I am pretty impressed. There was a 77 year old who kept smashing the ball up the middle. Dude was like 7 for 8 for the day. There are 5 teams of guys who have been playing together in various leagues and combinations for about 15 years. I am the young pup but they're friendly and it's been fun. I just feel so out of it. I started off with a double header the first week and had trouble getting out of my car for 2 days. They have a bunch of DeMarini? and I am rocking a 2000 TPS Louisville slugger that I got at a yard sale for $3.
Click to expand...
We still have church leagues and co-ed leagues around me, but I didn't realize there was so much slow pitch. I thought everything was moving to fast pitch. It's a lot of fun if you come from baseball....quite the challenge early on learning to hit. Everything's upside down and backwards.

 
The Commish said:
Franknbeans said:
The Commish said:
Slow pitch softball is still a thing?
Click to expand...
Actually I am pretty impressed. There was a 77 year old who kept smashing the ball up the middle. Dude was like 7 for 8 for the day. There are 5 teams of guys who have been playing together in various leagues and combinations for about 15 years. I am the young pup but they're friendly and it's been fun. I just feel so out of it. I started off with a double header the first week and had trouble getting out of my car for 2 days. They have a bunch of DeMarini? and I am rocking a 2000 TPS Louisville slugger that I got at a yard sale for $3.
Click to expand...
We still have church leagues and co-ed leagues around me, but I didn't realize there was so much slow pitch. I thought everything was moving to fast pitch. It's a lot of fun if you come from baseball....quite the challenge early on learning to hit. Everything's upside down and backwards.
Click to expand...
Really? I guess FL is behind the times then, our Summer leagues have 50 coed teams, 62 1A mens teams, 22 2A mens, a church league and a Senior's league. They also allow the Seniors to play 1A as well as Seniors if they would like.

 
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