We at fastpitchbatguide have been watching the new bat rules and found this is the year that the USSSA puts some teeth in their ruling to ban composite bats that have been improved through overuse, damage or intentional altering.

The bat manufacturers have been asked to produce bats that do not significantly soften with age  a tendency which actually improves their performance by increasing the trampoline effect. They never get soft they just get less hard as their Bat Performance Factor dips below 1.20 BPF. The new bats that pass muster will be approved and marked with a new and very visible USSSA seal. While bats with the old USSSA BPF mark will be grandfathered through 2012, bats that meet the new standard are already being introduced by the top hitting stick makers in diamond sports.The USSSA has a complete list of approved bats. You can print and view the legal fastpitch bats. In this guide we'll look at 4 of the top manufacturers and sample what?s new in fastpitch softball bats for 2012  and available for use this year.

Louisville Slugger: LS has long been the first name in bats for diamond sports. This legendary bat maker continues to innovate and produce new bats that will make you a better hitter. They are also more durable than ever before  and they comply with the new USSSA manufacturing guidelines for approved bats. LS offers you a choice of materials, including aluminum alloys, fully composite bats, and dynamic alloy/composite hybrids.

For 2012, look for exciting new products like the next generation 2012 Louisville Slugger TPX Exogrid2 that takes TPS technology to the next level. The LS Xeno is built for high school and college players, offering the weight to length ratios high-caliber players need to maximize their skills. The Zephyr and Mendoza bring the leagues best composite systems to any fastpitch game, whether it's a friendly weekend tilt or a competitive match-up in a top adult league.

DeMarini: DeMarini has forged a reputation for making some of the finest fastpitch bats in the industry. Their drive to be technologically superior to the competition means you?ll have the advantage of their efforts as you stride confidently to the plate. New sticks include the 2012 DeMarini CF5 Hope -10 Fastpitch DXCFH as well as their revamped line of DeMarini CF5 with the new Tri Strut TR3 composite barrel. DeMarini will raise your stats again this year and you?ll improve your value to any team you play on.

Miken: Miken has been a pioneer in composite bats for more than a decade, and they?re not about to stop pushing the envelope to engineer bats with better performance. You'll see familiar names for 2012 but with redesigns in some cases that produce compliance with new USSSA standards. New clubs include the 2012 Miken Freak -10 FPFX10, the 2012 Miken Halo Light FPHL12 and the 2012 Miken Intensit-E Kelly Kretschman Signature FPIE10. Experience Miken engineering in every crack of the bat!

Worth: Many of us have grown up using Worth equipment and we are very familiar with the quality and reliability their gear offers. The 2012 bat lineup will do justice to your continued confidence in their hitting sticks. The same quality pervades this collection of bats  but the performance is better than ever. Check out new products including the 2012 Worth 454 Fastpitch FP454 in your choice of weights that match your approach to hitting. You've relied on Worth in the past, and their new bats and their bats will continue to give your game the lift you're looking for.

We at fastpitch bat guide have reviewed hundreds of bats over the last few years. Once in a while we come across a bat that is worth special notice. The Louisville FP86M TPS Jessica Mendoza Fast Pitch Softball Bat (-11) is just such a bat. Louisville Slugger has built a computer designed, graphite and S-glass type bat that sings of high quality but won't hit your wallet. Lets look at some of the things that make this bat stand out.

First- The computer design creates layers of space grade graphite and S-glass fibers which are molded with a strong epoxy resin creating a durable long lasting bat.

Second- The TPS Slugger is approved by ASA, USSSA, ISA, ISF, and NSA so you don't have to wonder if it is ok to use this season.

Third- The reviews have started coming in and they are in the 4 plus star range. So others who have bought this bat like it.

Forth- The cost is great. At around 60 bucks this bat is a steal.

Conclusion- If you are looking for a great bat to start out with or maybe even a little better this bat is worth looking at. With a one year warranty a modern graphite design all packaged for a very low price the Louisville FP86M TPS Jessica Mendoza is our find of the month.

Have you tried this bat or have another to chat about. We would love to hear from you.

When you hit the field, having a great bat is essential but so is being outfitted with the right accessories. Here’s a brief guide to the rest of the gear that will set you up for success.

Batting Gloves: Whether you are taking extra swings in the batting cage or are striding to the plate with the game on the line you need a comfortable, dependable batting glove to protect your hands and offer total bat control. Here’s the top 4 in comfort, grip and value.

1.  Mizuno Techfire G2 Baseball Batting Gloves: Mizuno is all about technology that helps you make the most of your ability. These gloves are equipped with Power Grip palms that maximize control. The pre-curved fingers are comfortable and the padding on the back increases protection.

2. Easton Typhon PR BAtting Gloves: These gloves are made with a seamless one-piece palm for maximum performance along with pre-curved fingers and a Lycra back that stretches for perfect fit

3. Demarini VooDoo Adult Batting Gloves: The goatskin leather palm is seamless and tacky. The Lycra backs give the fit and flex you need while turning on a fastball.

4 Rawlings 1050 Workhorse Batting Gloves : A bit more expensive but worth it if you are dedicated to batting practice and hitting drills. They’ll stand up to the punishment so skin won’t have to. They are as comfortable as they are durable.

Softball Sunglasses: Battling the sun is a whole lot easier with an effective and comfortable pair of sunglasses. Having stylish shades doesn’t hurt, either. These sports sunglass models are tops.

1. Polarlens KP3 Sport Sunglasses: The UV 400 offers 100% protection while the Grilamid frame is tough and attractive. Anti-fog coating is an added bonus.

2.Easton Diamond Flare Sunglasses: Made for the diamond but perfect for anywhere there’s too much sun. Complete UV protection and a stylish, comfortable frame will help you perform at peak levels in all weather conditions.

3. Under Armour Force Sport Sunglasses: It doesn’t get any better in terms of protection, performance and style. These shades are light and rugged using a titanium grilamid frame. They pack technology that will outperform the competition. The Advanced Peripheral Vision feature helps you see things better at the edge of your field of vision while the green tint increases on-field contrast so you’ll pick up the ball better on the ground or in the air. Pro-grade shades!

Softball Shoes: After you knock that ball into the gap the right shoes will help you motor into third ahead of the throw. Try these on for size – they’re the best

1. ASICS Men's GEL-Blackheath Field Shoe: Ideal for hitting, running the bases and chasing down fly balls. The Gel System reduces shock to the feet and the raised gradient heel reduces strain on the ankle and leg. They’ll enhance your play with superior comfort and performance.

2. Reebok Women's Vintage MSL Low II Softball Cleat: Built for speed, stability and comfort, these shoes will protect your feet while letting them breathe. They offer great flex and are ready to play right out of the box.

3. Mizuno Speed Trainer Men’s Fastpitch Shoes: These cleats offer outstanding stability and comfort and they’ll increase your performance with Proflex design crafted for the way you move on the diamond. This shoe is available for women also. Mizuno Womens Speed Trainer.

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

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

A few decades ago aluminum bats replaced wood bats in every league from t-ball through college ball. About 10 years ago composite bats were introduced to diamond sports and they began to gain market share with players who liked their performance. Today the top makers of fastpitch softball bats offers a lineup that includes both composite models and metal alloy models, and some have combined the two into hybrids. Which should you choose? Let’s take a look at the qualities of metal and composite bats so you can select the material or combination that is right for you.

Metal Bats

While aluminum was the primary metal used for quite some time metal bats are now also crafted from lithium, scandium, magnesium and chromium. Read the rest of this entry

Best Girls Fastpitch Softball Bat

Most bat manufacturers have models geared to the women’s game. They typically feature greater negative weight ratios, in the -10 to -12 range, as well as tapered handles for better bat control. Many of them also sport a gorgeous paint job to highlight their technological prowess. In our research we’ve found 3 bat makers that consistently put up the best numbers on those diamonds where the gals are competing. Let’s take a look and offer a few bat suggestions. Read the rest of this entry

There are so many great bats on the market today that choosing the best fastpitch bats is a matter of matching your hitting style to the technology and features built into the bat. In short, it’s about buying the best fastpitch bat FOR YOU! Read the rest of this entry

Up Your Stats With A Special Fastpitch Bat

If you’re looking to boost your numbers this season there’s a whole bat rack from the top manufacturers in the business that will help you hit for higher average or drive in more runs. But some stand out above the rest. Here are our choices for the 5  fastpitch softball bats to improve your stats. Read the rest of this entry

Top Hitting DVDS

Today’s baseball and softball coaches have wonderful advantages in teaching the game to our players – instructional DVD’s that cover every aspect of playing diamond sports. We don’t have to know everything; we just have to know where to find the information and teaching that we want our players to benefit from. This gives confidence to coaches who may not have a wealth of experience. They can make sure their players are well-coached no matter what. If you pick up instructional DVD’s and show them to your team you can learn along with them and give them coaching and encouragement as they attempt to implement what they are learning. Read the rest of this entry