Buying a new bat

[love4sftbl]

Well my daughter is 135lbs and swings a 33" 24oz (-9) bat in (12U just for reference). It went dead after 18 months of continous use (in cage and everything else) OMG (hv a fld day drama queens). Now I was told to buy a DeMarini CF3 2009! You can demo this bat at certain stores before buying it Thefinalword! First thing first though. She has to get the bat on the ball!

[Instig8or]

Be careful buying a CF3 right now - After talking to their customer service and getting a variety of stories, apparently DeMarini is fielding a LOT of complaints about that cracking in the surface and is changing the clearcoat back to something similar to the one they used on the Phenix bats. I called them because my daughter's CF3 has cracked all over and after reading Wade's reports of ASA's intent to toss those bats it was apparent that come July, we're going to have issues.

DeMarini will replace the bat, but only once. My neighbor's DD also swings that same model and he too called and got them into a longer discussion and was told that the clear gel-coat like coating was the issue and they are now using a different one than previously and it would not crack. So some of the new CF3s in the stores will have the "defective" coating while others will have the "new and improved" coating.

[Coach11]

What is the best bat for a slap-hitter?
I have a daughter that is a freshman in high school who is a slap-hitter and always used an Easton Stealth or an Anderson Rocketech but it's time for a new bat and i was wondering what was the most recomended bat that is used today by slap-hitters.

My own DD (14U) is a slapper, and uses the Stealth as well. When she first got it, she literally slept with it for the first week. It was the very first bat she ever felt truly comfortable with.

As far as recomendations go for your daughter....slappers need a well balanced bat, and most prefer them to be on the lighter side. I make it a point to never recomend a specific make or model. What feels good to one girl, may not to another.

I have seen far too many parents talked into running out and dropping $300 on a bat, because it is supposedly "the bat". No such thing. On our own team last season, we had 4 girls swinging bats that were much too big for them. Parents who had spent several hundred dollars on these bats, were not happy (to say the least) when we dissallowed their daughters from using them.

All but one recognized a marked improvement in their childs hitting success after we made them choose more appropriately sized bats. That one decided to try a different set of coaches rather than a different bat.

The kid will be missed.....the parent.....not so much.

[softballmom622]

Since Anderson has always been great to us, I have to recommend the new 2010 Techzilla. All the girls on our team that have used it all seem to like it.

I recently bought a Techzilla 2010 from the World Star Softball Shop and they also included a free bat bag. They shipped my order the same day as well. We are loving the bat!!

[Tucson]

I truly think that a slapper can use any $30.00 bat that she likes.

I have 5 expensive bats in the garage that DD went through in HS. Actually, any of those would do well. Get a good bat about 3 years old off of Ebay. Many of those are very good quality.

After having been through this bat craze for 5 years, I am avoiding any first year bat. I did order the TZ and looked at it, awhile. It wasn't any different than the other balanced bats. If I close my eyes and swing several different high quality bats, I can't tell the difference.

But, I like Anderson's customer service.

Most girls are still picking bats by color or who put their name on them, anyway.

[MDSoftball]

I truly think that a slapper can use any $30.00 bat that she likes.

I have 5 expensive bats in the garage that DD went through in HS. Actually, any of those would do well. Get a good bat about 3 years old off of Ebay. Many of those are very good quality.

After having been through this bat craze for 5 years, I am avoiding any first year bat. I did order the TZ and looked at it, awhile. It wasn't any different than the other balanced bats. If I close my eyes and swing several different high quality bats, I can't tell the difference.

But, I like Anderson's customer service.

Most girls are still picking bats by color or who put their name on them, anyway.

And I'm still glad you ordered it.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Most girls are still picking bats by color or who put their name on them, anyway.

Few years back in 18U rec ... had this gal the 1st day of practice ask me to tell her Mom that she needed a new bat, new glove, new everything ... I looked at her bat and glove and the sizing was fine so I said, lets see how you do with these first and then I'll make my recomendations ... the next practice she showed up and ALL her gear was pink ... I don't know where they found it all, but everything was pink ...

[Coach11]

Few years back in 18U rec ...

Coaching 18U rec.?

Bless you.

Both of my daughters "retired" from rec league softball around 14U.

I think I may have lost my mind had they not.

Around here, MOST of the better players don't play after the 12U point. What's left is a group of girls that not only aren't very good, but really have no desire to get any better. If they even bother showing up.

Was speaking with a fellow former rec. league coach at my daughters HS game the other day. Exchanging horror stories on how they never showed up for practices, and then the parents would complain when they're kids didn't "get enough" playing time....or get a chance at certain positions.

We've had as many as 18 girls on a roster for 14U squads....and still have problems fielding a team of 9.

Then you get those days where all 18 show, and you've gotta find playing time for everyone.

Bless you indeed!