I have an athletic tape that im going to use to tape my wood bat with. Im using the bat just for bp in the cage and i was wondering what the best pattern/way to tape it is

By: jlurvey16

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Does anyone know of a really good wood bat under 30 bucks? I had a Rawlings Big Stick but it broke after about a month of use in my batting cage. I need a good, durable wood bat. (I need a 34 in bat)

By: jumpmanjack23

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College Level.

By: RedsMachine

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Softball bats were at one time made chiefly of wood, but advances in technology have introduced materials such as aluminum, graphite, and composites. Each material has its positive and unique features.

Wood: Wood softball bats are very rare but are slowly regaining favor with softball enthusiasts who would rather hear a whack and not a ping when the bat meets ball. A wood softball bat is bottle-shaped and can weigh between 32-35 ounces (around 8 ounces heavier than an aluminum bat). Traditionally, wood bats have been made from ash. However, ash is light and soft and bats made from ash tend to splinter and dent fast. Wood from maple, oak, and bamboo is also used for these bats. Maple is harder and its grain is denser as compared to ash, making it less susceptible to splintering and chafing. Bats made from Chinese bamboo are the closest wood bat equivalent of an aluminum bat. Bamboo is extremely light-weight and ha a tensile strength higher than that of steel.

Aluminum: The increased research and engineering in the science of bat making has resulted in high-tech aluminum softball bats that can cost upward of $300. Aluminum bats are lighter thereby enabling batters to generate greater bat speed and control. They are stronger and more durable than wood bats and they do not break; however, they may dent or crack over a period of time. Aluminum bats are available in different alloy and weight combinations. Light aluminum alloys that are thinner are more resilient and provide a larger hitting zone or “sweet spot”. Aluminum bats are made in single-layer and double-layer combinations; double-layer bats are used by the power-hitters.

Graphite/Titanium lined: Aluminum bats are lined with graphite or titanium. These light, durable, and strong materials are added to aluminum bats with thin walls in order to make the bats lighter. Lighter bats help batters to generate more power in their swing. Bats lined with graphite or titanium have a greater hitting zone or “sweet spot”. These materials are shock-absorbent as well and aid in reducing the shock felt when a stroke is mistimed.

Composite materials: Bats made from composite materials such as carbon, glass, or Kevlar are light weight, rigid, and sturdy. Composite materials enable bat manufacturers to incorporate varying strengths and stiffness in different parts of a bat. The result is a bat with stiff bat handles for greater control, low stiffness hitting areas for better performance and reduced shock, and differentiated swing weights. Bats made from composite materials have a large hitting surface with a more pronounced “sweet spot”. However, the extreme velocities at which the ball rebounds off the bat can pose a safety hazard to the pitcher who has to react in a very limited time.

Softball Bats That Are Prohibited

If your league is anything like most leagues in Colorado, you probably receive a list of illegal bats at the beginning of each softball season. Maybe the list is handed out at your manager’s meeting, or maybe it is posted on your softball league’s website, either way, you need to be conscience of that list when selecting a bat.

Why are there illegal bats?

There are two main reasons that softball leagues issue illegal bat lists. The first is for the protection of the players, mainly the pitcher. Every day the bat companies are inventing new technologies that are equipping players essentially with bats that more resemble artillery launchers than traditional softball bats. This puts the pitcher, in particular in danger. Depending on your league rules, the pitcher will be around 40-50 feet from the mound after the release. (Also, depending on your league rules, the pitcher may be 4 or 5 beers into the evening after the release).

The strength of some of the players, combined with the new technology of the bats put the pitcher in a very precarious position as a line drive comes scream towards his/her head. And don’t forget the pitcher isn’t the only one who should be concerned for their safety, infielders, particularly third base and shortstop, when righties are up, and second base and first base, with lefties, also can get quite a lump on the noggin from a hot shot off some of these enhanced technology bats.

The second reason behind issuing illegal bats is fairness of play. Recreational softball should not be won by the team that can pay the most for bats, and rest assured the newer the technology, the higher the price.

Recreational softball is played by millions so that they can go out and have fun for an hour or so a week. If a team is plunking homerun after homerun into the lake on the other side of the fence, the game will get tedious and boring. Restricting the power behind the bats, will keep more balls in the park and make the game more fun for both teams.

These are the two main reasons that recreational softball leagues issue an illegal bat list. Before you purchase a bat, make sure you check the illegal bat list for your league.



By: Jeffrey Fang

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Wood baseball bats are available for all leagues and levels. Some believe wood baseball bats embody the art or the poetry of baseball. Precision crafted wood bats are replete with the spine-tingling crack of a home run or the splintered remains of wooden warrior that drilled its last base hit. Though aluminum or alloy bats outnumber wood bats in the non-professional leagues, many players feel a kinship with the natural wood and when using them, feel like they’re walking in the footsteps of baseball greats like Babe Ruth or Derek Jeter.

When selecting a wood bat you should carefully hold the handle. Ensure the shape and form work for your grip and batting style. Also make sure the length/ weight ratio is appropriate for your size. Wood bats are carved from mostly maple or ash woods. Wood grains vary greatly in quality. Like furniture dealers, wood bat manufacturers can select from a plethora of wood qualities. The higher quality wood bats strive for hardness, strength, and density without being too heavy. Many claim that maple bats achieve this crucial balance.

Maple baseball bats are among the most popular choices, with ash being its biggest competitor. Maple wood is endowed with a tight grain that offers many of the qualities suited for smacking a baseball. The finer the grade of maple, the more expensive the bat, so remember to ask about the wood grain.

Factors to consider when purchasing a maple bat, like other bats, are weight, length, and grip. Additionally, many players take advantage of the swing-empowering benefits of owning a maple baseball bat. Serious batters in the non-professional leagues, or who have major league aspirations, will often practice with a maple bat instead of an aluminum bat. The sweet spot is more precise and wood bats are solid so they weigh more. After practicing with a wood bat, come game time, your aluminum bat swing will be much more dangerous



By: Jason Gluckman

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Softball bats were at one time made chiefly of wood, but advances in technology have introduced materials such as aluminum, graphite, and composites. Each material has its positive and unique features.

Wood: Wood softball bats are very rare but are slowly regaining favor with softball enthusiasts who would rather hear a whack and not a ping when the bat meets ball. A wood softball bat is bottle-shaped and can weigh between 32-35 ounces (around 8 ounces heavier than an aluminum bat). Traditionally, wood bats have been made from ash. However, ash is light and soft and bats made from ash tend to splinter and dent fast. Wood from maple, oak, and bamboo is also used for these bats. Maple is harder and its grain is denser as compared to ash, making it less susceptible to splintering and chafing. Bats made from Chinese bamboo are the closest wood bat equivalent of an aluminum bat. Bamboo is extremely light-weight and ha a tensile strength higher than that of steel.

Aluminum: The increased research and engineering in the science of bat making has resulted in high-tech aluminum softball bats that can cost upward of $300. Aluminum bats are lighter thereby enabling batters to generate greater bat speed and control. They are stronger and more durable than wood bats and they do not break; however, they may dent or crack over a period of time. Aluminum bats are available in different alloy and weight combinations. Light aluminum alloys that are thinner are more resilient and provide a larger hitting zone or “sweet spot”. Aluminum bats are made in single-layer and double-layer combinations; double-layer bats are used by the power-hitters.

Graphite/Titanium lined: Aluminum bats are lined with graphite or titanium. These light, durable, and strong materials are added to aluminum bats with thin walls in order to make the bats lighter. Lighter bats help batters to generate more power in their swing. Bats lined with graphite or titanium have a greater hitting zone or “sweet spot”. These materials are shock-absorbent as well and aid in reducing the shock felt when a stroke is mistimed.

Composite materials: Bats made from composite materials such as carbon, glass, or Kevlar are light weight, rigid, and sturdy. Composite materials enable bat manufacturers to incorporate varying strengths and stiffness in different parts of a bat. The result is a bat with stiff bat handles for greater control, low stiffness hitting areas for better performance and reduced shock, and differentiated swing weights. Bats made from composite materials have a large hitting surface with a more pronounced “sweet spot”. However, the extreme velocities at which the ball rebounds off the bat can pose a safety hazard to the pitcher who has to react in a very limited time.



By: Samuel Johnston

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Amongst the good cricketer and good bat manufacturers, bat is a tool for trade. Its raw material is naturally grown and not manmade. A good bat is produced by craftsman and their aim is to provide excellent hitting power with durability. The combination should properly match because softer pressed bats tend to go better but are likely to crack. The harder pressed bat is likely to last longer but hitting power is compromised. The bat maker’s aim is to strike balance between the two to make the best all round cricket bat.

There have been several theories regarding which bat is the best. But the trick is to find the right kind of weight and “pick up” of the bat. Before buying the bat you should see whether the weight of bat is balanced and distributed along the willow. As this helps and makes it easier for batsman to drive it elegantly.

Before buying a bat, confirm whether the bat is knocked in properly or not. Some more expensive bats come pre-knocked. Your bat should come with some instruction or a brochure that describe the condition of the bat and whether the bat is knocked or not. If you get the un-knocked bat you use special hammer tool or a mallet to knock the bat. In any situation do not use your brand new bat for the match. Always get knocking in done before going for any match.

As far as the wood of bat is concerned, traditional English willow is considered superior. There are several grades of cricket bat willows available. Don’t get confused with the grades. Before buying a cricket bat, you should do some research on grades.

Before buying the bat, consider the shape of the bat. The bat should be shaped something like a paddle with padded handle usually in cylindrical shape. There should be wider wooden block on one side and with a V-shaped ridge on other side to provide greater air flow in the follow through and greater strength to over-all bat. The flat side is used to hit the ball.

As the selection of a wrong bat will lead to loss of match, consider the above mentioned features before buying.



By: Sarah Johns

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Ash is called a ring porous hardwood because early in the growing period the tree makes big cells. Then later on the cells become much smaller and denser. The zone of big cells each year is in reality the weakest portion of the wood–large cells mean a lot of void space and poor strength. (Oak is also a ring porous wood.) Well, if you develop the ash too slowly, then there can be a larger proportion of large vessels, which means the wood can be weaker; too fast means too weighty as there will be too many dense, small cells. So, it is critical to find the right growth rate that maximizes the properties of the wood.

Bat selections change from competitor to competitor. It does not always depend on your power or particular muscle mass to figure which kind of bat is going to improve your performance at the plate.

Northern white ash baseball bats are the most well-received baseball bats because they are not as weighty as the popular maple wood counter parts. While maple is touted as having greater durability and longevity, northern white ash baseball bats are more cost effective.

The implement being only as good as its user, your northern white ash baseball bat will dispatch equally as long as the esteemed maple wood bats if you focus on the basics of what it takes to be a good hitter. Pro players will boast that they are able to get as many as 2000 hits off of one bat, and it would not be a northern white ash baseball bat.

It is feasible to accomplish the same endurance with a northern white ash baseball bat by not swinging at poor pitches. Foul balls are hitting a part of the bat that sends a wave of energy like an earth rocking tremor down the to the end of the bat, circling through the knob, and racing right back up.

All that activity is jarring the outer circle of the bat, not to cite how you as the hitter can sometimes even sense that uneven power come reeling up through your own nervous systems ganglia like a shocker. Your bat deserves better choices being made. As a hitter, you understand if you have to reach out for that pitch, it is likely to go out of control.

Each time your bat gets the g-force of a pitch outside its ideal center point for hitting, it is receiving a fissure splitting damaging wound. Northern white ash baseball bats will give you as much fulfilment and achievement on the field as any around, just be sure to make sound decisions before you swing!

Wood bats are typically made of Northern White ash, or Rock Maple. These woods are used because they are very powerful, yet they are also fairly light. Ash is still probably the most common wood, but rock maple is becoming more and more accepted because of its durability. some may dispute maple provides a little more pop. Selecting a good piece of wood is important to durability and to how well the ball jumps off of the bat.



By: William Smith

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