Fastpitch softball is a competitive game and those who build the bats have plenty of competitive spirit too. Each year they produce better bats and then immediately start trying to outdo their previous efforts. The fastpitch bats available for 2011 showcase the tremendous commitment to quality and performance demonstrated by today’s top manufacturers like Worth, DeMarini, Easton, Miken, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Rawlings and Anderson.

The design and build of these bats is outstanding. Materials include advanced carbon composites and high-tech aluminum alloys that create harder hitting surfaces and those with more spring board action. New designs from DeMarini and Easton extend the sweet spot further down the barrel while those from Miken and Easton produce more whip-like action in every stroke. These are just a few of the many innovations that will enhance your performance this coming season. Read the rest of this entry

BY LAUREN MAYK

News Channel 8

Published: January 17, 2011

Updated: 01/18/2011 01:18 pm

vote
nowBuzz up!

For Little Leaguers, the game of baseball is suddenly changing as the bats that many have grown accustomed to – and their parents splurged for – will be banned from the field.

Little League has issued a moratorium on composite bats, which on many fields have replaced aluminum (and wood) as the preferred equipment for young players.

The bats are prized for their performance factor. Fans say the ball comes off the bat faster and goes farther, giving hitters more power to hit home runs and boost team scores.

"It's carbon fiber, but there's also a resin in it that expands and it allows the barrel of the bat to flex, which gives it more pop," said Paul Borgeson, who has been selling the popular bats at Play it Again Sports on Dale Mabry.

That "pop'' becomes even more pronounced as the bats are used. That means that as the bats are broken in, they exceed the performance standard. Little League officials say that creates a potential safety issue for players. Read the rest of this entry

Both youth and adult players will enjoy taking their cuts more and will be much more productive if they are toting a bat that is the right length and weight. Watching little Billy swing hard with an oversize bat and then watching the bat swing Billy is funny the first time, but Billy won’t be a happy hitter and his progress will be stunted. Even adults will boost their performance with a properly sized bat. Read the rest of this entry

(AP) – 6 days ago

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jessica Mendoza traveled the world playing tournaments and in two Olympics for the powerful U.S. softball team.

That decade-long journey, for now, is over.

Mendoza, a two-time Olympic medalist, and seven of her teammates from the 2008 Beijing Games, will not play for Team USA this year, opting to play professionally instead in hopes of growing a sport dropped from the Olympic program. Read the rest of this entry

Weight Loss and Sports

Did you know that playing softball is a great way to drop extra pounds? Losing weight and getting into better shape are goals many young women are striving for. They are discovering that two of the most important keys to success are doing something they enjoy and participating in that activity with friends. You may see groups of gals walking together on a regular basis or joining a spin class en mass. The fun of the activity and the camaraderie of friends is outstanding motivation to get involved and pursue weight loss and total fitness. The exercise that many women choose is the tried and true sport of softball. This game provides an excellent environment for getting rid of excess weight while improving you overall physical and emotional health. Let’s take a look at how softball can help you achieve your goals and become the person you know you can be.
Read the rest of this entry