Fastpitch bats look a lot like baseball bats, but they are not the same, and the rules are different. Before you buy, use a few simple checks and look up which stamp her league requires.
Choose a bat she can hold straight out to the side with one hand for about 10 seconds without the barrel dropping, and whose knob reaches about the middle of her palm when it stands next to her leg. Most young players do best with a lighter bat (a bigger “drop”). And it must carry the certification stamp her league requires, so check the rulebook first.
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Check the league stamp first
Fastpitch softball bats use different certifications from baseball bats, and different organizations accept different stamps. Many leagues and tournaments require a specific certification mark on the bat. Ask the coach or check the league rulebook before you buy. A great bat with the wrong stamp can’t be used.
What “drop” means
Drop is the bat’s length in inches minus its weight in ounces. A 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces is a drop 10. A bigger drop number means a lighter bat for its length. Young players usually do best with a lighter bat they can control, then move to heavier bats as they get stronger.
Two quick checks
- Arm test (weight): she holds the bat by the handle with one arm straight out to the side. If the barrel stays up for about 10 seconds, the weight is usually fine. If it drops or her arm shakes, go lighter.
- Palm test (length): stand the bat next to her leg, knob up, with her arm hanging naturally. The knob should reach about the middle of her palm.
Watch real swings too. If the bat drags, she leans back to lift it, or she is late on easy pitches, it is probably too heavy. The free bat size calculator gives a starting point by height, weight and age.
Buy for control, not to grow into
It is tempting to buy a bigger bat she can use for years. Don’t. A bat that is too long or heavy now makes her late and builds habits that are hard to undo. Size up when the current bat feels easy, not because a teammate has a bigger one.
One thing to remember
The right softball bat is one she controls, with the stamp her league allows.
What to do this week
Look up her league’s bat rule. Then do the arm test and palm test with her current bat. If it fails, try a lighter bat with the right stamp.
Parent questions
Can she use a baseball bat in softball?
Generally no. Fastpitch softball has its own bat certifications. Use a fastpitch bat with the stamp her league requires.
What drop is best for a young softball player?
Most young players do best with a lighter bat, which means a bigger drop. Use the arm test to confirm she can control it.
How often should we buy a new bat?
When she passes the arm test easily, the knob sits well below the middle of her palm, or her league rules change.
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This article is part of the 46/60 parent guide Youth Softball Hitting. Start there for every related article and game.