whats going to be the hottest bats this year

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R/T are the best IMO.

My DD is a very strong 14U and she is now being able to hit with that thing. It is just a different animal than the rest.

I think a couple of things about the R/T. They are -9s and end loaded. And to hit with them well you need a very good swing. I think most girls will tend to cast a bit with an end loaded bat until they have enough strength and swing memory to swing it proper. But once you have all of that.....watch out. My DD has been using it in hitting lessons since the season ended. It is a 2004 that we got used for $200. And all I can say is I hope it is street legal. Because the ball comes off that bat at a supersonic speed.

Last year she swung a CF4 and hit 3 balls over 230-240. Unfortunately they were not at fenced parks. Next year she enters HS and it should be fun since about 99% of all HS fields have fences (except her HS).

I often wonder why more girls do not swing the R/T. But it may just be the weight and the fact that they are end loaded. Being double walled aluminum you would think the fact that they are almost unbreakable would make more parents want them.

I always thought the 04's were drop 9's too but they are not...you notice there is nothing on the bat that tells you? they are actually drop 7's...i have a couple....weigh it and do some research and you will see.

 

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Try the new rip-it,
If you don't like it they will take it back

 

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Boy did this thread get out of hand . Tim I agree with you. The issue is if you give hitting lessons then you will agree with Tim. I bet 100% of the kids and parents all think it's the bat. First question you get is what bat should I get. I would like to have what I have saved over the years in not having kids buying new bats. They see little sally hit the snot out of a ball and they think they can do that with the same bat. I think that is what many that posted on here don't understand. Few kids have good swings, because they don't work at it. It takes tons of work to have a good swing that you can get your money's worth out of a new bat. Bats only make a difference with those type of players and I see few of them. Plus not all lessons and hitting coaches are the same. Some are just after money and I'm sure Tim will agree we get them after someone else has screwed up their swing. As info, DD still has the same bat from 14U, and still has one of the best BA on her team. In college next year she will get a new bat, but at least I won't have to pay for it!

 

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Les it was not the one run game it was the older pitcher, maybe 16 or 17. You may have run ruled them and I am not sure however it was not Mikes kid I was talking about.

I worked with about 11 kids on the field yesterday and we started with throwing and a few hours later they started to understand throwing balance and grip better and started hitting the ball much better. It is interesting while working on the field they can see where the ball goes after hitting it and feel the changes made and the difference it made.

One of the girls who was using an end weighted bat was asked to try a more balanced bat. The results were harder hit balls and more distance within two swings.

In my opinion, teach them how to throw and then how to hit and if you can afford it buy the best bat you think your kid can swing.

ASA usually makes their changes around October and now that the NCAA is involved it appears to happen for them in January.

I still believe those that know how to hit will hit no matter what they do to the bat in softball.

It happened in college.

I think in MLB the stats have been around .257 to .272 for around 15 plus years for the average player. So is it the player, vision training, mechanics, steroids, bats? For sure the balls under pretty tight control.

Players are using lighter bats in MLB and as I read it they want a few more milliseconds in timing.

A few years ago AP was having a hard time getting the ball out of the park during the home run derby. The person throwing was pitching it at about 60 to 65 MPH. He tried to adjust by striding further to compensate for it.

He adjusted the mechanics.

 

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Buckets outlasted the balls............Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........

Quality products..

Walmart trapped me. I was walking by the sports dept this spring and there were these clear buckets stacked up with a dozen balls with an NCAA stamp ( I wonder how much those rights cost) - for $24 each. Of course I bought 2 buckets full. How bad can they be? Should be ok for tee work or front toss - right......lol One month in and the balls looked like eggs. Lesson learned.

 

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Buckets outlasted the balls............Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........

Quality products..

Not saying the balls however the bat could not be used in a game without the required testing having been done and have the stamps.

How long it will last is another question. If your kid is a fast grower and she is just beginning maybe a cheaper bat serves the purpose to get her started.

Bottom line buy what ever you can afford and in my opinion this is why the NCAA is actively involved....to level the playing field. The bat manufactures must be trying to figure out yet another way to meet the standard while using technology so the consumer pays the price.

It is just my opinion however around maybe 1993, they started decreasing the weight of the girls bats and improving the training and understanding of how to get the girls to use their legs.

They started hitting the ball harder and used mechanics more like their male counter parts.