Softball was created much later. Because of the size of the ball and being a more compact field, softball pitchers are closer. Don't let the distance fool you though. Science has shown, that softball pitchers create a more generated force than baseballs and pitchers.
The skill level needed to successfully hit off the different materials remains another argument between metal versus wood bats. Metal bats have been proven to require less skill to hit with because of their weight difference and the size of their "sweet spots" compared to wooden bats. With most metal bats being made of aluminum, they weigh in much lighter than bats made of solid wood. It is much easier for players to swing the aluminum bats due to that fact ("Baseball: Wooden Bats Vs. Metal Bats"). The lighter weight allows players to swing faster, which helps put more force on the ball, resulting in the ball flying farther and much faster. In a test comparing wood bats to multiple types of metal bats, balls batted off wood bats obtained an average speed of 98.6 mph, while balls hit with the different types of metal bats obtained speeds between 100.3 mph and 106.5 mph (Russell). These results show that the lighter weight of the metal bats, helps drive the ball faster and farther and is not necessarily
While J.F. Hillerich’s company was growing, Bud worked for him. One afternoon, Bud, who was seventeen, snuck away from work to see his favorite baseball player play on the Louisville Eclipse (“History”). The Louisville Eclipse was a baseball team in the late 1880’s in a two year old American Association. The player was the team’s star Pete Browning. Browning known as “The Old Gladiator” was in a hitting slump (Oldham). A hitting slump is when a baseball player can’t seem to get on base with a hit many times. Baseball players at that time used either a flat bat like a cricket stick or a round bat, but the bat was oddly shaped or weighted with curves. Both the bats had so many handle styles to them. The regulations were very little at the time. The bat had to be less than forty two inches long and less than two and a half inches thick. On the day that Bud came to see him play, Browning broke his bat. Thus, Bud went over to Browning and convinced him to come with him to his Dad’s shop to make a new bat (Oldham). They grabbed a slab of wood to make the bat (Cantu). The wood was from a White Ash tree. They began handcrafting the bat from the wood with Bud’s carpentry skills and Browning’s knowledge on a good baseball bat (Oldham). They used a wood lathe, turning chisels, and other tools (Cantu). Bud would tweak the bat, then Browning wood swing it. They kept doing this till Browning said it was just right. The bat was named the “Falls City Slugger”. The name, “Falls City Slugger”, came from the stretch of rapids in the Ohio River (“Timeline”). The next day Browning got three hits on three at bats with the bat
The fact of the matter is that BBCOR certified aluminum bats have a smaller “sweet spot” region in the barrel of the bat than BESR certified bats do (Wooden). The “sweet spot” is the area where if a baseball comes in contact with it, then the trampoline effect will take major effect, causing the ball to be hit very hard and with much force, much more than what was put into the swing (BBCOR). The purpose of the BBCOR bats is to reduce this trampoline effect, meaning that players will have to be stronger and more skilled in order to hit the ball with the power they desire.
High tech aluminum baseball bats aren’t quite as new to the game as many people may think. Author, Patrick Hruby, wrote in Sports Illustrated, “introduced in the mid-1970’s… metal bats have become increasingly potent, forged with alloys… pressurized air chambers” (Hruby 42). Over the
Even today, people continue to argue that aluminum bats are safer than wood bats even with scientific studies proving this argument false. Yes wood bats can break and potentially injure someone, but aluminum bats can be much more dangerous because of the speed at which the ball leaves the bat. For instance, when a ball is pitched at 90 mph, it comes off the bat at 108 mph reaching the pitcher’s mound in .375 seconds. With pitchers throwing at speeds up to 100 mph, the pitcher only has 0.030 seconds or less to react to a ball coming straight back at them. According to studies, it takes a person 0.095 seconds to blink an eye; this proves it’s impossible for a pitcher to react to the potential speed of a ball being hit by an aluminum bat. This could lead to horrific injuries such as fractured skulls, broken jaws, comas, and even death. In 2009, 108,976 baseball players were reported hospitalized due to injuries related to the use of aluminum
The Worth Mayhem softball bat is certainly one of its top models, with a retail cost of $299. The most recent slowpitch softball bat from Worth is the Jeff Hall Mayhem M7 model that is new. Brand new for 2007 this bat is an incredibly limited edition model with only 2,000 being available for distribution. The bat features an even bigger sweet spot than the regular Mayhem model of it's. Miken is another of the top producers of softball equipment. The slowpitch softball bat that is certainly receiving the most attention is their "FREAK" model. Retailing for around $299, the FREAK offers a 13.5" barrel, plus it's designed to hit the ball LONG and over the fence! All top of the line Miken bats include the E-Flex ESD (Extended Sweet Spot) technology. They have been also end-loaded, which gives maximum space. Plus, the ADDICT additionally includes a thinner bat manage for even more control. The knob is coated with their X-Tack coating for added control. You will do your team well by choosing among the Miken version
the wooden bats sold by Hillerich and Bradsby, the parent company of Louisville Slugger, are
These aluminum bats, however, are not the standard bats used in college, rather, they are composite bats. The composite bats were used in college, high school and little league baseball until 2010 but banned following the 2010 season when BBCOR bats were introduced. These composite bats make the balls travel farther and the use of them in the MINK League Home-Run Derby brings the promise of large home runs and plenty of
High school softball is a sport enjoyed by young girls all across the country. It is a game that can be competitive and fun. Being on a softball team can also teach responsibility. To be an Amory Lady Panther softball player is one of the most unbeatable feelings in the world, which can be achieved by trying out and making the team, working extremely hard at practice every day, and being the absolute best at an individual player playing a role as a Lady Panther.
When it comes to playing softball, whether you play with a team or simply knock around a few balls in the backyard, one of the most important pieces of equipment is a fastpitch softball bat. You need a bat that has the right feel, enough weight, proper balance and the right length. The material a fastpitch softball bat is made of also makes a difference, so choosing the right bat is an important decision.
Achieving a powerful swing is difficult, so having the best equipment is imperative. To start, grab shock resistant batting gloves and the appropriate bat. The correct bat length is figured out by balancing the bat the top of the barrel. When balanced on the floor, the knob of the bat should graze the bottom of the groin. Each league has different bat regulations based on the bat’s composition. In a wood bat league, the best type of wood is maple because it is more dense, resulting in less flexibility, and more strength than ash. The less flex a bat has the more power the batter can generate because the change in velocity, known as inertia, will be greater resulting in a more powerful impact. In a metal bat league the best choice is a one part composite bat because, like a
Baseball players all over the MLB are starting to use a different type of bat. It's called an axe bat. The axe bat has a different oval- shaped handle that helps fit the batter's hands better. The first time Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez used it, he hit a homerun. They say that the grip lets the batter focus more on hitting than that holding onto the bat. The axe bat is making players hitting averages go up.
However, in the more than 40 years since they were first introduced, they have evolved into superb hitting instruments that, left unregulated, can significantly outperform wooden bats.”(Brief History of the Baseball) This quote shows that the aluminum bats, which will be used to test, are better than wooden bats. “A baseball will travel further when hit with an aluminum baseball bat, rather than a standard wooden bat.”(Swing velocity of aluminum and wooden baseball bats) “Early batters were known to sometimes whittle bats to suit their own hitting style. As you might imagine, the results were quite diverse—there were flat bats, round bats, short
The style of the bat has remained the same for a while now, staying more to what we see today. Now the big difference today is now in the younger ages, they use metal bats instead of wood. This is because balls hit of metal bats go farther. This is because the center of aluminum bats are hollow so, when the ball hits the bat the side of the bat caves in, then it rapidly goes back to normal, slingshotting the ball at higher speed. Also metal bats are less likely to be defective, often if hit right wooden bats will splinter, or break. it is very uncommon for a metal bat to break. Thus is the reason in 1974 the aluminum bat was introduced into college baseball, because the price of new wooden bats were getting pricy. After this the aluminum bat