If you want to swing for the fences, here’s why you should not take choosing your bat lightly:
The right wood softball bat can make the difference between flying a ball out to the left-field or hitting a game-winning home run.
Softball bats come in all kinds of styles, different weights, and lengths. And they are usually measured by their ‘drop.’ For the ones unfamiliar with this concept, a certain drop is the difference between the bat’s length and its weight, so a 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces will be a -10 drop. Simple, huh?
One major aspect to consider when choosing your softball bat is certifications. Talk to your league and find out their bats’ requirements because you will either need certain USSSA or ASA stamps on your bat.
You don’t want to buy a bat to find out later it’s illegal in your league.
In this guide, I’ll fix you up with a top-notch selection of wood softball bats that will cater to all kinds of hitters. They are all bats that I have personally tried out and swung countless times, so I can testify to their quality and value.
This means that you will have stronger criteria for selecting your ideal wood softball bat and some great ideas to kick start your search with after you are done perusing this article.
So grab your notebook and pen because you are about to get some good stuff.
1. DeMarini Corndog 2 17 Slow Pitch Bat - The Most Durable Wood Bat for Slowpitch Softball
- Pro Maple: End-Loaded Barrel
- Para Flex Composite Handle: With 22% Stronger...
- Asa, Usssa, Nsa, Isa Certification
- Country Of Origin: China
The Corndog is the perfect combination of composite and wood materials. It offers an end-loaded barrel making for powerful, monster swings that will help you crush the ball and that wow the crowd…
The Corndog’s handle is made with Paraflex Composite technology with 22% Stronger Carbon Fibers that allow balanced weight distribution and durability. It comes hot right out the box with a pop that even some aluminum bats would envy. And it’s certified for play in the USSSA, ASA, ISA, and NSA. However, I advise you to check if your league permits wood composite baseball bats.
If you are looking for a softball bat that provides amazing pop and season-after-season durability, this one’s for you. On the other hand, it might not be the top pick of home run-thirsty power hitters, as it doesn’t provide the highest speed and distance rate.
Additionally, it does produce a bit of stinging and vibration in your hands; if that’s an issue for you, check other options.
Pros
- Season-after-season durability
- End-loaded barrel
- Paraflex Composite Handle technology with 22% stronger carbon fibers
- Aluminum-like pop
Cons
- Average batting speed
- Slight stinging and vibration
- Might not legal in some wood softball leagues
2. Axe Bat Pro Hard Maple (-5 to -6) Slowpitch Softball Bat-34"- The Highest Batting Speed ASA Bat
- Made from a single billet of pro-grade maple...
- Slow pitch profile for speed and power
- Proprietary premium finish for hardness and...
- USA Softball Stamped (ASA)
When you first lay eyes on the Axe Pro, you will notice its sleek look. Its glossy black barrel with silver satin graphics gives it an eye-catching, elegant appearance. It’s particularly hard not to stare at it in awe of its classy design.
This beauty is packed with a single billet of pro-grade maple hardwood that assures extreme durability. It also has a cupped end that helps distribute the weight nicely along the bat, giving you superb control through the zone.
Its ax handle is intended to provide great comfort to your forearm, boosting the speed of your swing. According to Axe-conducted studies, the ax handle provides up to 1+ mph extra exit velocity and 25+ feet extra hit distance than traditional round-handle bats.
Pros
- Durable materials
- Balanced swing
- Top batting speed
- Excellent positive-negative customer review ratio
Cons
- The handle might take some getting used to
3. BamBooBat Bamboo Wood Slow Pitch Softball Bat - Best Bang For The Buck
- 34 Inch 30 Ounce bat. Featuring a 2 1/4" extended...
- These bats aren’t just approved; they’re ASA...
- Featuring a 2 1/4" extended barrel for that extra...
- These softball bats are ASA approved, making them...
BamBooBat is a company that has harnessed the power of one of the strongest natural materials—together with top-of-the-line technology—to create bats that simply get balls to jump off of them.
This BamBooBat features a 2 1/4 barrel that offers plenty of sweet spots to get that ball over the fence. It’s got a 7/8 handle with a nice pre-installed grip making for a comfortable feel in your hands. The bat is sturdy and has an excellent swing to it.
With this Bamboo bat, you won’t be getting the highest performance on a bat—which only seems natural considering its affordable price point—but you will get great bang for the buck, that’s for sure, as it will endure some wear and tear for at least a couple of seasons.
And as long as we’re talking about durability, this Bamboo wood softball bat counts with a 100-day manufacturer’s guarantee. So if your BamBooBat gets chipped or broken within that time, you can have it replaced cost-free.
However, despite being touted for its mix of high-quality bamboo materials. There have been some reports on low-durability issues, a likely tradeoff for its low price. Nevertheless, this baby is worth picking up and taking to the box for a few swings; it is an excellent bat.
Pros
- Low price point
- Pre-installed grip
- 100-day guarantee
Cons
- Not the most durable wood softball bat out there
- Bland design
4. A Bat SB71 - Hard Maple Wood Softball Bat - The Best ASA Bat For Power Hitters
- Length 34 inch - Hard Maple Softball Bat for Fast...
- The Model SB71 has a long 2 1/4 inch barrel that...
- ASA Approved
Easily one of the best slowpitch softball bats in 2020, the SB71’s premium construction allows for top batting speed and distance in the hands of the right hitter.
The barrel diameter on this one is 2 ¼—with enough sweet spots to do some serious damage to the ball—and it’s tapered fast down to a 15/16’’ size, curved handle that will provide a nice feel to the hands of most softball players.
Its modest price point is also a reason why this bat became one of the best sellers recently. The combination of affordability and durable hard maple materials make it an excellent choice for anyone in need of a durable slowpitch bat that doesn’t blow a hole in their pockets.
Pros
- Comes in two sizes
- Study and durable construction
- Nice and comfortable handle
Cons
- Might be a little heavy for some players
5. Louisville Slugger Maple Louisville Slugger MSB3 WTLWSMSB3A20 -The Best Budget Bat For All Kinds of Hitters
- Wood: Maple
- Turning Model: MSB3
- Regular Finish
- Color: Gray Stain
Combining the unparalleled craftsmanship of one most trusted bat manufactures on the market and premium quality lumber, this Louisville Slugger is sure to give you the highest performance among all wood softball bats at its fairly low price.
This bat features an all-maple construction with 34 inches of length and 27 ounces in weight. It comes with an elongated barrel making for a nice sweet spot and an all-wood, grayish design easy on the eyes.
What you will get with the MSB3 is an unmatched combination of quality materials, superior craftsmanship, and economy that’s hard to find—and much appreciated when looking for a good bat to start or end the season with on a budget.
Pros
- Nicely built from the end to the knob
- Easy to swing and handle
- Lots of value at a low price point
- Good looking all-wood design
Cons
- It’s still a cheap bat, so durability might not be as good as more expensive bats
- Average pop
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Bat Legal in Slowpitch Softball?
As a general rule, a wood slowpitch softball should not measure over 34 (86.36 cm) inches in length and 38 ounces (1077.28 g) in weight. And Its barrel diameter must also stay within the 2 1/4 (5.715 cm) limit.
Softball bats must not go under any treatment or alteration that harms or defaces the ball. Additionally, bats with performance-enhancing features (e.g., shaving, rolling, or warming the barrel) are prohibited and illegal.
One thing to consider when choosing a bat is many leagues do not allow composite wood bats, just like the DeMarini Corndog previously mentioned. Consulting your league about their bat regulations is a wise move and something you should do before picking out a bat.
Does a Heavier Bat Hit Farther?
Yes, but it’s not that simple. Although swinging a heavier bat can provide you with some extra punch when hitting the ball, if you compromise your technique, your overall batting speed will end up reducing; therefore impairing your batting distance.
Now you might think that you should pick the slightest bat possible when standing on the place; well, neither. You want to look for a combination of batting speed and batting power from your bat; to achieve that, you will need to choose the heaviest bat possible without losing technique.
What Makes a Good Slowpitch Softball Bat?
There is not a one-size-fits-all answer for this one, so we will have to expand on it.
When looking for wood, lots of factors come into play. The first thing you want to consider when trying out different softball bats is size and weight. Things are simple when it comes to the size because most slowpitch softball bats are 34″ inches long. But as for the weight, wood bats range from 26 to 30 ounces.
Depending on your size, you might want to pick a lighter or a heavier bat. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to the feel you get from it.
Next up is the cut. Traditionally, wood bats come in two cuts, the balanced 110 cut, and the end-loaded 270 cut. The 110 cut comes with a traditional knob and a 1″ inch handle, while the 271 cut features a tapered knob and a 15/16 inch handle. Which is better? It’s totally up to, whichever suits you best.
Bats are built with different kinds of woods catering to different needs. These are usually ash, maple, and bamboo. Ash and maple are highly resistant kinds of woods, but the strongest one is Bamboo; however, it might not perform as well as ash or maple, but it can take some heavy-hitting sessions, offering extra durability.
You will also find composite wood bats, which are made of different kinds of wood stuck together. These are superb performers and come with great pop, but unfortunately, they are not legal in all the wood softball leagues.
In a nutshell, a good wood softball bat gives you high comfort and performance while fitting your needs and batting style.
How to Make the Right Selection
Whether you are a power, contact, base, or placement hitter, you are probably puzzled about what kind of bat you should swing; a light bar or a heavier bat? There’s not a foolproof system to pick the right bat out, so the best piece of advice I can possibly give you to find your winner is:
When choosing a bat, do not just try a bunch of bats and swing them 15 times each and choose one. If possible, try each bat for at least 3 or 4 batting sessions, compare them thoroughly, and then decide.
The reason for this is your body tends to lose stamina as you go through batting sessions and games, so you must choose a bat with a weight that allows you to go through the zone without compromising your technique throughout the seven innings.
And for the cherry on top, I recommend carrying a lighter bat with you in your bat bag for those days when you are not feeling as zippy. It might just give you that extra lightness you might be missing in energy to make that ball-crushing swing.
In short, you want to look for a bat that gives you the ‘right feel.’ You will find the one when you have a bat that’s comfortable in your hands, has a nice swing and pop, is heavy enough to crush the ball, and at the same time is light enough to go through the zone with ease.
