Key differences between Slowpitch and Fastpitch Bats

Don’t know the differences between slowpitch and fastpitch bats? You are not alone. Most players who are still learning the ropes of softball may have the same question. But the fact that so many people have this query doesn’t mean that its answer is complicated.

Fastpitch bats are lightweight, balanced, and provide a quick reaction time. They allow the batter to dispatch balls coming in at blazing fast speeds. That isn’t the case with slowpitch softball bats. These bats are heavier, with their weight concentrated at the barrel. This enables them to generate greater power.

Having said that, the differences between slowpitch and fastpitch bats aren’t just limited to their weight. Both these bats are worlds apart when it comes to their shape, length, the length of their sweet spot, and even their cost.

Read on to know more about these and other differences between slowpitch and fastpitch bats.

Slowpitch Vs Fastpitch

To better understand the difference between slowpitch and fastpitch bats, it’s crucial that you first know the differences between the games in which both are used, i.e., slowpitch and fastpitch. That would make it easier for you to absorb what’s coming next.

Here are critical differences between slowpitch and fastpitch:

• Pitch of the ball

  Slowpitch pitchers throw the ball at a half-windmill pitch – with the arc between 6 and 12 feet. On the contrary, fastpitch pitchers aim the ball at a full-windmill angle in a straight line.

• Number of players

  Regular watchers of both these softball games will know that while a slowpitch game has 10 players on the field, there are only 9 players of the fielding side on the field in a fastpitch game.

• Pitching distance

  Slowpitch rules dictate that the pitcher is at a distance of 50feet from home plate. That isn’t the case in fastpitch softball, whose rules allow the pitching distance to vary between 35 and 43 feet.

• Stealing bases

  In contrast to fastpitch softball which allows players to steal bases before the pitch is thrown, Amateur Softball Association (AMA) rules stop slowpitch players from leaving the base until the ball has crossed the home plate.

• Catcher gear

  Due to the relatively mild speed of the incoming ball, the catcher in slowpitch is allowed to wear a lax gear, containing nothing but a face mask. However, their counterpart in fastpitch must be fully geared for their own safety.

• Number of innings

  Each slowpitch match is played in seven innings, with each inning divided into two halves. The away team bats in the first half and the home team bats in the second. Fastpitch games, however, are played in nine innings.

• Bunting

  Bunting is a technique in fastpitch softball and baseball in which the batter doesn’t swing the bat, but merely holds it in front of home plate in the hope of tapping the incoming ball into play. It isn’t allowed in slowpitch softball.

• Scoring rates

  Since slowpitch batters have to deal with slower pitching speeds, they typically make more runs than their peers in fastpitch. This allows each individual inning in slowpitch last longer than the one in fastpitch.

• Base Distances

  Both fastpitch and slowpitch formats feature four bases on the field. But the distance between bases isn’t the same in both. Bases in slowpitch are wider apart (about 65 feet) from each other than those in fastpitch (60 feet) softball.

Differences between Slowpitch and Fastpitch bats

Here are the differences between slowpitch and fastpitch bats:

Ø  Shape of the bats

Do you know why fastpitch bats tend to be lightweight than their slowpitch counterparts? Because they have a narrow and streamlined design, with little deviation between neck and barrel.

That isn’t the case in slowpitch bats that boast a larger barrel and, by extension, a bigger sweet spot. This increases the likelihood of the bat coming into contact with the ball and imparting greater power to it.

Ø  Length

Most slowpitch bats you see on the market measure about 34-inches in length, give an inch or two. That makes them longer than fastpitch bats, whose length ranges between 26 inches and 34 inches.

The extended length of slowpitch bats is necessary as their batters are more inclined to ‘touch’ the ball than ‘hitting’ it, which is the preferred choice of fastpitch batters.

Ø  Weight

Wondering why fastpitch bats tend to be lightweight? The speed of the incoming ball is to blame. Fastpitch players need to have a quick reaction time, or else the ball coming in at a high speed would simply whizz past them.

Slowpitch players don’t have to be as quick and can therefore make do with heavier bats. Such bats may take more effort to swing, granted, but they’d also allow the batter to hit the ball more powerfully.

Ø  Cost

Low-end fastpitch and slowpitch softball bats cost about the same. That’s because the grade of wood used in either isn’t much different from the one used in the other.

However, when it comes to better options, high-end fastpitch bats always cost more. This is due to the fact that they use advanced technology to maximize the ratio between their weight and performance.

Ø  Hitting pattern

Slowpitch bats, due to their heavier weight and extended reaction time, are a must-have for ‘power hitters’. These are batters with strong forearms who like to bunt the ball out of the ground at every chance.

Fastpitch bats are more suited for ‘contact hitters’, or those batters who prefer staying on the crease for as long as possible. That they manage to do by using their bat to make contact with the ball, but without swinging their bat.

Best Fastpitch Bats

Following are the best fastpitch bats currently on the market:

EASTON Ghost -9 ASA Fastpitch Softball bat

Most fastpitch softball bats that you see on the market don’t cost a lot. That isn’t the case with the Easton Ghost -9 ASA. It costs as much as two of your average softball bats. But it still manages to have a decent following. Know why? Because of its high-end features.

Start with the double-barrel construction. Aside from giving this model the ultimate combo of feel, pop and sound, it also provides it with a massive sweet spot. Equally useful is its XTX Matric technology which has allowed this bat to boast a brilliant combo of durability and flexibility.

Then comes the NITROCELL foam. It helps forge a better connection between the handle and the barrel, thereby minimizing chances of things going wrong. All these features are probably why this bat is approved for play in ASA, NCAA and ISF.

Louisville Slugger WTLWBSB2MAINA34

Can’t afford the astronomical asking price of Easton Ghost -9? The Louisville Slugger with its affordable price tag and a set of high-end features is then a must-have for you. Here is a bat whose maple wood construction allows it to transfer high energy from the bat to the ball.

Yet another thing that maple does is prevent this bat from flaking. There is little chance of wood rings separating from each other, even in the aftermath of tens of mis-hits. You also get a cupped handle to easily control this model’s movement through the air.

You might find it good to note that this bat has a natural finish. Louisville has done nothing with the maple wood that would give it an artificial feel. Though the fact that it doesn’t come with a warranty leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Brett Bros. GB5 Superlight Wood Softball Bat

Both of the bats you saw above are made of 100% wood. This model is different. Its manufacturer has relied on a combo of a wood barrel and reinforced fiberglass handle. And this arrangement hasn’t been without its merits.

Begin with added strength. Those of you who’re in the know might be aware that fiberglass handles are known for their sturdiness, as there’s little chance of them getting damaged. They also weigh heavy than their big counterparts, a huge reason why this bat is lightweight.

To cast the net for its potential users as wide as possible, the GB5 is available in three sizes. All of them have the same 2 ¼’’ barrel that we love but have different lengths and widths. That’s what makes this bat suitable for a wide range of audiences.

Best Slowpitch Bats

Here are the best slowpitch softball bats:

DeMarini Steel All Association Slowpitch Bat

Looking for a bat that provides a reactive and stiff feel? Then you mustn’t take the DeMarini Steel All Association Slowpitch Bat for granted. It is made from a combination of alloy materials that have been crafted to enhance its performance and provide a long-lasting barrel.

You won’t have to worry about the flex index with this bat. DeMarini has taken care of that issue by providing this model with an aluminum alloy handle. One which lowers the whip produced by the bat and adds consistency and power to every shot.

Yet another milestone that the combo of aluminum and zinc in the bat’s handle has been able to achieve is to extend its durability. That it has done by ensuring every hit is flush with the sweet spot, thereby reducing chances of mis-hits chipping away at the bat’s sturdiness.

Worth EST Hybrid 12.5″ XL USSSA Slowpitch Bat

The Worth EST Hybrid defines what it takes to set the trend in a class of slowpitch bats. It has taken the market by storm since its release all those years ago and shows no signs of any decrease in its popularity. The length options, barrel size and swing weight make it appropriate for almost every hitter.

The price point, affordable as it is, doesn’t mean that this bat’s manufacturer has cut any corners. You can be sure of that claim once you measure the exit speeds of balls leaving this model. The distance they’d cover – both horizontally and vertically – will lay to rest any doubts you may have about this bat.

That isn’t to say that it offers nothing for contact hitters. It boasts a 100% carbon fiber barrel whose lightweight construction makes it a cinch to swing this bat. That is how it makes sure that, on most occasions, you’d be able to make contact with the ball.

2020 Axe Avenge

Multiple features of the 2020 Axe Avenge make it a must-have. Foremost among them is that it offers the players the choice between an end-loaded swing weight and a balanced one. Then there is the ‘Variable Layer Tech’ which engineers barrel walls to maximize the power and size of the sweet spot.

Equally useful is its Tri-Flex technology which enhances this model’s whip as you’re swinging it. All these characteristics are taken to a whole new level with its ‘Low Profile HyperWhip Composite End Cap’. And the Vibration Canceling system ensures that your hands get zero unpleasant feedback.

To further sweeten the deal, its manufacturer has used Power Gap technology to make this bat compliant with ASA rules. This technology has supplemented the barrel with a double-walled design that is allowed in USSSA leagues too. What more can you ask for.

Conclusion

Don’t have the time to read everything in detail? Here’s a summary explaining the differences between slowpitch and fastpitch softball bats. The former category of bats tend to be heavy, have relatively long barrels and are best-suited for power hitters.

That isn’t the case with fastpitch softball bats. Their lightweight construction, fast swing speed and bigger sweet spots make these models a must-have for contact hitters, or those batters who like to stay on the crease for longer periods.