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.

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