subject: Demarini Softball Bat - Composite Vs. Aluminum Bats [print this page] If you are a regular reader or contributor to softball forums or discussion group, you know that there is a lot of debate about whether a composite softball bat is better than an aluminum alloy softball bat. Here I would like to discuss the advantages of each, and hopefully youll better be able to decide which bat is best for you. Because, really, both have their pros and cons, and performance isnt really that different between the two. It depends on what youre looking for in a bat, what type of player you are, and how many seasons you would like to use the same bat.
Because so many leagues now limit the performance of allowed bats, any leg up from either composite bats or alloy bats has been pretty much negated. Because composite bats can be engineered to be such high performers they have been blacklisted because they can give an unfair competitive advantage. As a result, bats are held to a strict maximum performance guideline, and any bat that over performs is banned for league play. End of story. Because of this, manufactures manufacturers make sure the bats go right up to the upper limit established by the leagues, and then stop, meaning that all high end softball bats will perform right up to the upper limit. For example, Little league has banned any bat exceeding a Bat Performance Factor of 1.15 or less, and USSSA and NSA league approved bats must be stamped with a 1.20 BFP rating or less.
Because of these limitations, the principle advantages of composite bats over aluminum alloy bats is that because of the thinner walls of composites they can be engineered to have a bigger sweet spot. The bigger the sweet spot, the more the player can fudge the strike and have a big pop. In addition, composite bats are said give off a better ring when struck, giving the batter the psychological advantage of sensing a better hit. It is because of these two advantages that composite softball bats are more popular than alloy bats.
Another perceived difference between the two types of bats is the break-in period. Aluminum bats are hot right off the press, so a player can pick one up mid season and start hitting hot right away. Composite bats, on the other hand, require a bit more type to soften up that sweet spot for the best pop.
To sum up, in my mind the benefits of composite do make them a better bat than aluminum bats. The problem is that they do come with a heftier price tag, so the decision is yours as to whether that additional cost is worth it to you.
