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.

The Louisville FP86M TPS Jessica Mendoza Fast Pitch Softball Bat (-11)

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.

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.

First, it is important to stretch before you even begin to throw. Many still show up 10 minutes before game time and play catch for 5 minutes, take a few practice cuts and start the game. You’ll feel better and play better if you find 15-20 minutes minimum to prepare your body to exert itself.

Stretching should start with simple bends at the waist, slowly reaching towards your toes – all the way if possible. Reach up high and stretch your arms and shoulder upward, rising to your tip toes, then back down. Cross your legs and repeat. Then grab one heel and raise it toward the hamstring of the same leg. Work the other leg next.

Do a series of other stretches to warm up your calves and upper legs, similar to if you were preparing to jog. Then work on rotating your torso very slowly to prepare for the rotation you need in batting. Gradually pick up the pace and rotate back and forth 20-30 times or until you feel loose before you swing a bat. Some players do this stretch with a bat across the back of their shoulders and their arms over the top of it. This also helps to stretch the shoulders.

In all your stretching go slow. Stretch, don’t bounce or jolt. Give your muscles a chance to warm up – literally warm due to increased blood flow – so that they can gradually reach their full elasticity.

After you’ve stretched each of the major muscle groups give attention to your neck. Slowly rock your head around its axis for a few moments to loosen it. Your groin is another area where pulls are common so find ways to stretch your groin on each side.

The next part of an effective warm-up routine is to play short toss with a teammate standing not more than 30 feet away. Gradually lengthen the distance over the course of 25 or 30 tosses so that you are 100 feet away or more. Then increase the intensity of your tosses until you end with 3 or 4 full-strength throws.

Warming up to hit is easy if you have time for batting practice. Start while waiting your turn. Take half cut swings to continue the process of warming up your back, hips, shoulders and arms. When you get in the box start swings at 75% and increase to 100% over the course of 8-10 pitches. If you’ve done your stretching before you pick up a bat this should be enough. If you don’t take batting practice simulate this hitting warm up on your own without live pitching.

The last tip is to remember to stay warm between the time you stretch and the time the game begins. If the weather is chilly keep a jacket handy so your muscles don’t cool off and you lose the value of the stretching.

Aerobics: Good blood flow and breathing are key to your energy level, which you want to keep very high throughout the game. In addition, when you hit one in the gap and are rounding second base a good aerobics routine will give you the stamina you need to make it without slowing down. Try jogging, aerobic workouts like jumping rope or spinning classes, or a low impact option, swimming.

Weight Training: A good weight training regimen will focus on all of the major muscle groups and will combine light weights and high repetitions with heavier weights at fewer reps. This balance will build muscle while maintaining elasticity. Weight training also increases bone density and that will help reduce injuries during sliding, diving for balls, or in the event of a collision.

Stretching: Pro players spend a lot of time stretching not just to warm up muscles before the game but to maintain a full range of motion throughout their bodies. Stretching is always important but especially so if you weight train seriously. Develop a stretching routine that increases flexibility in your arms, legs, neck, back, abdomen and groin. Stretch easily slowly so you won’t pull muscles before they can respond. Consistent stretching will allow you to perform at a higher level and will significantly decrease the incidence of injury and muscle soreness when you play.

Plyometrics: This field isn’t new, even if the name is. This discipline involves hopping, jumping and bounding exercises that increase explosiveness. On the diamond that will translate into a more dynamic swing with faster bat speeds and more power. In the field it will give you a better first step on your way to batted balls. Most trainers suggest that plyometrics be started after a regimen involving these other conditioning practices is well underway and that you stretch well to warm up in preparation for these quick-burst movements.

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.

DeMarini makes some of the finest composite bats in the world. They began using Silver Trace in their patented Pitch Black composite bats last year to stiffen the barrel and now their DeMarini CF4 ST series takes it to new levels. More Silver Trace produces their hardest hitting, most durable composite bats to date. The CF4 ST Insane redistributes the mass for an end-weighted feel power hitters love. See a complete rundown of the new DeMarini lineup right here.

Easton knows their way to the plate as well and there’s a lot to like for 2011. The 2011 Easton CV12 sports a lightweight IMX composite inner tube that is surrounded by an ultra-thin, ultra-hard aluminum shell. It’s a hybrid that offers the best characteristics of both and may be the hottest thing in diamond sports this season. Other new sticks include the 2011 Easton Rival XXL made from THT100 aluminum alloy and the one-piece 2011 Easton Synge that will vie for a spot in any team’s starting lineup. This is Easton’s most innovative step forward in a decade and should produce their best showing ever in the batter’s box. See everything in the mix from Easton this season here.

We’ve also reviewed the 2011 bat roster from Worth. It offers exciting possibilities for this season like the all-new 2011 Worth Titan 5.4L with layered 100% composite that transfers more energy into the ball on contact. It is produced in sizes from 30” to 34” and in length to weight ratios of -8, -9 and -10. That range gives each player the versatility they need to find the right stick for their game. All your Worth favorites like Mayhem, Toxic, Amp and Eclipse have been retooled to deliver higher average and more power in 2011. Take a closer look at our review here.

Make this your most productive, satisfying and successful year at the plate. Be more valuable to your team. It begins with finding the right bat to boost your abilities, your confidence and your results. We work hard to bring you the best bats at the best prices, along with a wealth of tips and guides that will make you a better hitter in every trip to the plate.

News Channel 8

Published: January 17, 2011

Updated: 01/18/2011 01:18 pm

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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.

"A ball could go farther and harder and some of these kids are small so it's a safety concern that we're looking at," said Greg Jones, a Palma Ceia Little League board member. "I think most parents agree with us that it's a good thing in the long run."

Some parents, though, say they don't see composite bats as a big risk.

"I've never seen anybody get whacked in the chin and in the face, and I basically live here," Mike Rafferty said at the Palma Ceia fields last week.

Rafferty, who carried a copy of Little League's list of approved bats with him on the bleachers that day, says the kids are looking for answers about the bats they'll be able to use on the field.

He says players – including his son – have become accustomed to swinging the composite bats, and parents have also gotten used to their impact on the game and the final score. The loss of composite bats will have an impact on the game, he says.

"The ball's going to come slower, the field's going to be able to react and get the out, so the scores are absolutely going to drop," Rafferty said.

These popular bats aren't cheap and can run $250 or more, compared with aluminum bats that ring up for a fraction of the cost.

The price tag is what has some parents upset at the timing of Little League's announcement, which came the week after Christmas.

"The biggest issue is not that the bats are illegal, it's the timing of the announcement that they're now banned," said parent Kevin McCray, whose son received a new bat from Santa this Christmas.

Parents, like McCray, have suggestions on how Little League could have handled the announcement, from adjusting the baseballs used in the game to issuing the moratorium for the Majors and other divisions back in the fall when an announcement affecting the Junior, Senior and Big Leagues divisions came out.

League officials acknowledge the Christmas gift issue but says they made the decision to issue the moratorium within hours of receiving research on the smaller bats used by players in the Majors division.

The league had contracted with the University of Massachusetts for the study.

The bats are already out of the game for high school students. The National Federation of State High School Associations bans composite bats unless they meet certain criteria.

Little League will continue testing bats, and some composites may make it back on the field. The League has already said that some bats with a composite handle and aluminum barrel are acceptable, and manufacturers are submitting bats to the League for testing that could earn them a waiver – and a trip back to the ball field.

A list of approved bats can be found at: http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/2011...

For youth the right size is vital. It’s okay to choose a bat perhaps a few ounces too big for your growing child and they can choke up until they grow into it. But don’t go larger than that. Here’s a chart to put you on the right track.

Youth 6-11

Up to 46 inches: 16 ounce bats

47-50 inches: 16-17 ounce bats

49-52 inches: 16.5 to 17.5 ounce bats

51-54 inches: 17 to 18 ounce bats

53-56 inches: 17.5 to 18.5 ounce bats

55-58 inches 18 to 19 ounce bats

Over 58 inches: 18.5 to 21 ounce bats

Overlaps give you a chance to take your child’s physical characteristics into account.

Youth 12-14

Little girls really grow during this time and boys begin to take off, too. Use this chart for a basic framework to meet your child’s needs. Most experts switch to a weight-based scale here since children fill out as such different rates.

Up to 75 pounds: 17 to 19 ounces

Up to 100 pounds: 18.5 to 20 ounces

Up to 125 pounds: 19 to 21 ounces

Up to 140 pounds: 20-22 ounces

Up to 165 pounds: 21-23 ounces

Dealing With The Weight

The weight is more important than the length. Fastpitch softball bats are offered in lengths with the number of inches being 8-12 more than the number of ounces. For example, you’ll find youth bats that weight 20 ounces offered in lengths from 28 inches to 32 inches.

Ages 15 through Adult

Up to 135 pounds: 25-27 ounces

Up to 155 pounds: 26-28 ounces

Up to 185 pounds: 27-30 ounces

Over 185 pounds: 29-31 ounces

Keep in mind that these are maximum suggested weights. Many players like to swing a bat with a negative weight ratio of -9 to -12 for greater bat speed. This means that a 34 inch bat, the longest manufactured for fastpitch softball, might weight 22-25 ounces. In fact, you’ll find only a few fastpitch softball bats that weigh 30 ounces or more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfQ9EeYxFws

Additional Reading
Livestrong.com
Sportsoutlet.com

The right length and weight will make you better.

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.

"I never imagined this would be how I would leave USA Softball," Mendoza said Wednesday in a phone interview from her home in California. "I hope it's not the end."

Mendoza said she and the others informed Amateur Softball Association of America this month that they were declining invitations to attend the U.S. team's June camp so they can play exclusively in the four-team National Pro Fastpitch league.

Mendoza, who is also president of the Women's Sports Foundation, said it became too difficult for players to fulfill the obligation of playing for the U.S. team and in the NPF, whose schedules intersect. Moreover, because the U.S. Olympic Committee has dropped funding — over $1 million in an Olympic year — for softball, there was no financial reward for playing for their country.

"This has been a long time coming," said Mendoza, adding that she and her teammates spent months discussing their options. "In the end, we all wanted to do the best thing for the sport of softball. Everyone agreed that a change really needed to be made."

Fellow Olympians Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Monica Abbott, Caitlin Lowe, Lauren Lappin, Andrea Duran and Vicky Galindo also will not play for the U.S. during the upcoming 2011 season. That doesn't mean some of them may not return in the future.

Ron Radigonda, executive director of ASA/USA Softball, said the U.S. program went through a similar turnover in 2001 when several players left to play professionally. He's disappointed Team USA is losing its nucleus, but that doesn't change his commitment to fielding and funding teams for international competition.

"This was their decision and we support it," Radigonda said. "These women are very near and dear to us. But we look at this as an opportunity to rebuild the program. ... We have married players who need to make a living. We can't fault anybody for that."

Olympic softball sustained a devastating hit when it was voted off the program for the London Games in 2012. Last year, a bid to get it back in 2016 was rejected when the IOC voted in golf and rugby for the Rio Olympics. Softball was on the program from 1996-2008, with the U.S. team winning three gold medals and a silver.

While the sport's popularity has grown worldwide, helped by the American team's success and the appeal of cross-over star pitcher Jennie Finch, it's still lacking support in Europe, where the IOC's membership has long associated it with baseball.

Mendoza's hope is that a strong pro league with more teams and featuring some of the game's biggest names can attract a wider audience, sponsors and, perhaps most importantly, television revenues.

Mendoza said part of her choice to focus on playing professionally stemmed from talks with tennis legend Billie Jean King, whose decision in the 1970s to leave the U.S. tour and start the Virginia Slims circuit prompted the growth of women's tennis here and abroad.

Mendoza said King encouraged her to take softball on a similar, unknown path.

"No one knows what will happen," Mendoza said. "But what we all want is what's best for softball, and for its future."

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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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.

The key to weight loss and physical fitness is purposeful movement and activity. That of course is what burns calories. So when you join a softball team, make the commitment to always be on the go. The reality is that two young women can be on the same team and one will reach their health goals and the other won’t benefit much at all. Guess which one will feel better about themselves at the end of the season? Yep, the one that made the most of their involvement and used softball to lose weight. Here are some practical ways to do that.

Weight Loss Through Effort

First, attend every practice and hustle from the moment practice begins, or even before. Do some light jogging to loosen muscles. Warm up with enthusiasm that will carry you through the practice. Treat practice like a regular game by running hard after fly balls and when circling the bases. When it’s over stick around and do a few extra wind sprints or jog around the outfield at a vigorous pace while you’re warm and in the mood. You really can lose weight playing softball if you take the right approach.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball "Weight Loss"

Secondly, between games and practice engage in exercises that will burn calories and tone muscles as well as make you a better softball player. Some specific conditioning drills related to softball include forward lunges. Stand with your feet together and your hands at your side, clutching 2-4 pound dumbbells. Stride forward while raising the weights straight up to the side. Also try the same motion in your legs while twisting at the waist to one side. This will improve your leg drive and upper body strength – and you’ll be hitting the ball harder in no time. Another great exercise to do with dumbbells is to lie on your back, arms extending to each side, and alternately raise your arms straight up and in front of you. This will strengthen your throwing arm and put more pop in your swing. Skipping rope will build leg strength, arm flexibility and stamina. These are just three of many exercises that will help you attain success on and off the softball diamond. Perhaps you can find a workout partner on the team and help each other stay motivated.

Keeping Your Head in the Game of Weight Loss

The third way to lose weight playing softball is to stay active and plugged in each game. Arrive early enough to loosen up with some running, throwing and batting practice. Once the game starts, work hard when you are out in the field. Give it your all on every play. When your team is batting, cheer each of your teammates as they bat or run the bases. You’d be amazed at what a great calorie burner cheering for others is, and it’s a whole lot of fun!

Finally, what you don’t do when playing softball to lose weight is also vital! Things to avoid include the after practice or after game trip to the fast food restaurant or bar with the gals. If you do go along for the social interaction be disciplined about what you consume. You don’t want to gain back the weight you’ve been fighting so hard to lose. During the game stay away from sugary sodas or kool-aid and choose instead a low calorie sports drink or plenty of plain water.

The great thing about this approach – playing softball to lose weight – is that dropping those pounds is safe, enjoyable and so simple anyone can do it. Your total health will improve; you’ll likely make some great new friends; and you’ll establish good habits that will keep you active, fit and trim for a lifetime.

Resources:

Fit Day A calorie calculator to help with weight loss

Live Strong Great advice for healthy living.

Weight Loss and Sports A Practice For A Better Life