Is lower compression better for softball bats?

A higher compression result (usually stated in terms of pounds per area) means a barrel's walls are more rigid. A bat with a lower compression means the barrel walls are more flexible or elastic. Some believe that a more elastic barrel wall can produce faster exit speeds.

How do I make my softball bat hit farther?

You can shave aluminum or composite softball bats. Shaving a bat removes material from the barrel, resulting in thinner walls. These thinner walls will compress and spring back with more force than a regular bat. This extra force can increase the speed and distance of your hits.

Why are softball bats compression tested?

The Purpose of a Bat Tester

The portable barrel compression fixtures or bat testers were developed for the softball and baseball industry to measure the barrel stiffness of a bat. The barrel compression of a bat correlates to its performance. Generally, bat performance increases as barrel compression decreases.

Will a shaved bat pass a compression test?

Generally speaking, a broken in shaved bat will test lower than a very well broken in stock bat, but again........ there are exceptions. So the moral of the story is lower the compression score does not always translate into a hotter bat.

How do you make a baseball bat hotter?

Heat your metal bat up. Leave it in the sun for the afternoon or leave it in a hot car. Place the bat on a surface that can withstand hammer hits such as collapsed cardboard boxes or pile of towels.

What temperature is too cold for softball bats?

At What Temperature Is It Too Cold To Use My Bat? The industry recommendation is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain manufacturers, such as Easton, recommend avoiding temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for their aluminum models.

Can you tell if a bat is rolled?

Those who are in the business of rolling bats often advertise their services this way, guaranteeing that no umpire will be able to tell that your bat has been altered. In case when rolling wasn't performed perfectly, the biggest tell-signs are the roller marks along the length of the bat.

Does rolling a softball bat work?

We found rolling did increase the bat's average exit velocity but not by much. In our focused test (one bat, one hitter, 20 measured exit speeds) we found an increase of 1 mile per hour and just over 5 feet of distance. This was after we deceased the bats compression from a 1450 reading to a 1300 through rolling.

What does polymer coating do to a softball bat?

This coating prevents the fibers from breaking down as fast as it would naturally therefore increasing the life of the bat. There is no performance loss because the formula is extremely flexible and flexes with the bat (Demarini uses a similar coating on all their bats from the factory).

What is softball bat compression?

Compression testing measures the amount of pressure it takes to compress the barrel of a bat 1/4". The less pressure it takes to compress the bat, the easier it is to achieve maximum trampoline effect when the ball makes contact with the bat. Composite barreled bats will get easier to compress the more they are used.

What does it mean when a softball bat is shaved?

Bat shaving is the process of removing the bat's end cap and thinning out the inner walls in order to increase the trampoline effect. Shaving a bat shortens a bat's life because you're making the walls of the bat, which help create durability, thinner.

What does it mean when a bat is hot?

"A hot bat is any bat that has been somewhat altered in order to give it an added performance," says Rick Paulas, who plays softball and investigated the devious practice recently for SB Nation.

Does a heavier softball bat hit farther?

Heavier Bats

A heavier bat will hit a ball farther than a lighter bat, when the speed of the bat swing, the pitch speed and the ball mass are kept constant. Increasing the mass of the bat gives the ball more momentum.

Do end loaded bats hit farther?

End Loaded Baseball and Softball Bats

By placing more mass directly in the hitting zone, stronger hitters can generate more momentum with similar swing speeds resulting in the ability to hit the ball a greater distance. We recommend that older, stronger players experiment with end loaded bats.

Do weighted balls damage composite bats?

Do NOT use a composite bat with any weighted ball. Including the dimple balls that come out of the pitching machine. They break the fibers in the bat and cause premature wear.

What does shaving and rolling a bat do?

Bat shaving is a process that involves removing the end cap and thinning out the inner walls of the bat to increase the trampoline effect that happens when a ball hits it. This will greatly increase the pop and distance of the bat.

Does shaving a bat make it lighter?

Shaved Easton USA bats and shaved baseball bats have a much lower swing weight than conventional bats. In a Just Bat Reviews test, a shaved bat swings 7% lighter than its originally identical counterpart. Removing the shavings from the bat got rid of an additional 1.5 ounces and deceased its MOI from 8800 to 8200.

How do you heat roll a bat?

By rolling your bat you can enjoy the bat's maximum potential from the very first swing without putting all the wear and tear on it. The bat is placed between two rollers and then pressure is applied so that as the bat passes through the rollers the bat's fibers are stretched out.

Why Is bat Rolling Illegal?

Bat rolling is not illegal. As a matter of fact, all composite bats must be rolled in testing before they are deemed legal for play. This is to make sure that as the bat gets hotter after more use, and it will not exceed the bat performance standards put in place.

How do you break in a new bat?

To break in your composite bat, the process is almost effortless and should take no more than one hour.

1. Use a Game Ball. ...
2. Rotate 1/4» After Each Swing. ...
3. Hit 150 balls at 50% ...
4. Work Your Way Up to Full Speed/Strength. ...
5. Step Up to The Plate!

How long should a composite bat last?

A composite bat will last anywhere from 1 to 3 years after it is broken in. For a bat that is used all year round, it may only last 2 years before it needs to be replaced. On the other hand, a composite bat that is used only for a few months or periods of time every year may last even over 3 years.

Can a baseball bat be used in softball?

Conceivibly you could use a baseball bat to play softball, as long as you can adjust to the slightly shorter total length, and the heavier weight. You would probably find that the performance would be about the same as an older lower performance softball bat.

Does heat rolling bats work?

We have done extensive testing rolling bats after heating them and found that it actually is counterproductive to breaking in the bat. The heat temporarily stretches out the bat's fibers so that when you roll it you are not accomplishing any break in.