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Q & A, What Kind Of Bat Should I Get?
by Dave
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
A visitor asks:
My daughter is aged blah blah, weighs blah blah, etc. blah blah. What kind and size of bat should I get for her?
First off, let me say I am not an expert on softball bats. Secondly, the swing is of far greater importance than is the bat. The right length and weight for a softball bat has a lot to do with comfort. There are a broad variety of types of bats. I cannot provide you with a complete analysis of these here. Aside from this, I am not in a position to recommend particular makes and models. I'll leave that to someone else.
What you should be aware of is that there is a formal process whereby softball sanctioning bodies (ASA, NSA, etc.) approve (or disapprove) of specific bat models. The bats carry markings stating they are approved by this or that organization when they are approved. This is like the goodhousekeeping seal of approval. Bats not so marked will be disallowed in competitive tournaments.
That having been said, it is entirely possible to innocently go out to the sporting goods store, purchase a bat with proper markings on it, and get yourself an illegal bat which will be disallowed by umpires in tournament play. Organizations audit the bats they have previously approved and if bats fall outside their standards, they are disallowed via a list of "non-approved bats." A good example of this process is the ASA, the governing body of United States softball. The ASA originally approved of the Louisville Slugger SB305 Catalyst, subsequently audited it and when the results fell outside the acceptable range by a mere .3 mph, it added the bat to its list of "non-approved" bats.
Please note that the ASA's bat approvals are not followed by all softball sanctioning bodies. They are obviously observed for all ASA championship play. Also PONY, NCAA, NFHS, NAIA, and NJCAA are governed by ASA ratings.
Each manufacturer has its own policies dealing with illegal bats it has sold to you. If you have purchased an illegal bat, you should consult with the manufacturer. In the case of Louisville Slugger, the company has a section in its FAQ stating "The non-compliant status of the FPC305 is only applicable to ASA governance and the bat remains eligible for other associations (NSA, USSSA, ISF, etc.). If you play ASA governed softball and your FPC305 is no longer permitted for championship play, we will replace your bat with one that is ASA approved. Please visit www.slugger.com for replacement options and procedures or call Customer Service at 1-800-282-2287 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time." (Please see below update)
Every year these lists are of non-approved bats are published. As of today, March 28, 2006, The ASA lists the following bats as Non-approved:Manufacturer: Model:
Anderson Techzilla Reborn
Anderson Rockettech Reloaded
CE Composites B1 Da Bomb
CE Composites Uncensored
Demarini Dark
Demarini DXEVO - Yellow Barrel EVO
Easton SCN2 Synergy + CNT
Easton SCX2 Synergy
Easton SCX23 Synergy Plus
Easton Synthesis
Louisville Slugger FPC 305 Catalyst
Louisville Slugger SB34 Genesis
Louisville Slugger SB105 Catalyst
Louisville Slugger SB305 Warrior XXL Balanced
Louisville Slugger SB405 Warrior XXL End Load
Miken Freak Plus
Miken MSMM Maniac 585
Miken MSTC T22C6
Miken Ultra
Miken Ultra (Maxload)
Miken Ultra II
Mizuno Blur Advanced Series
Nokona Tomahawk
Rawlings Liquidmetal Plasma Fusion 120 SBLMPFU
Rawlings Plasma SBLMP 120
Shutt Shutt+
Worth ASY 120 (Asylum)
Worth EST9
Worth MAX 120
Worth MAY 120 (Mayhem)
Worth Mayhem M7 120 (M7120)
Worth Mayhem Reload (JH120)
Worth PST 120
Worth PSTOC (PST)
Worth QESTFP
Worth SBWK (Wicked)
Worth WIC 120 (Wicked)
Worth XEST9X
Worth XWICKX (Wicked Slow Pitch Version Only)
Worth Wicked (Wicked Slow Pitch Version Only)
Worth WWSC Wicked Composite (Slow Pitch Version Only)
Please take special note that if your bat is one of the models listed above, even if it has approval markings, it will be disallowed in ASA controlled competitions. You should not try to slip one by or assume the markings will get you by. If you try this, you run the risk of becoming accustomed to a bat which you will not be allowed to use in a critical game.
Update:
I wasn't aware of it when writing this but Louisville Slugger has a fomral policy conerning returns of this bat. It is located here
 
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