I completely understand the frustration when looking for a fastpitch softball bat. Does it feel right? What size do I need? What’s the difference between this one and that one? It can be a daunting experience.
I would say at this point there are probably hundreds of different bats out there all claiming to be the ideal choice. And in some cases, the claims can be true.
What I find many softball players don’t grasp is the ability to find the right bat for themselves. I’ve seen players of similar size, and ability prefer different bats. There really is no one size fits all when it comes to this process – told you it was fun!
For that reason, I have decided to put out this list of the 10 best fastpitch bats! Read on further below to see if they fit your needs.
Here is the list (in no particular order):
- Demarini CF
- Louisville Meta
- Louisville LXT
- Demarini Prism
- Louisville Quest
- Demarini Zenith
- Mizuno F21 CRBN
- Easton Topaz
- Louisville Proven
- Easton Ghost Double Barrel
Demarini CF (Best Overall for 2024)
Year after year, one of the most consistent and high performing bats available to fastpitch players is the Demarini CF series. If i’m not mistaken this series began with the CF7 a good five or six years ago, so it has some major staying power!
So why do players like this bat so much to make it one of the best sellers year after year?
What I hear most players say is that it makes your swing feel smooth and easy. I’m sure if you are reading this article, you’ve probably tried “heavier” feeling bats only to find your swing clunky and difficult. The CF provides a powerful balanced swing (this is described more below) and caters to travel ball and collegiate players. Newer or non-competitive players should look at some of the other options further down.
Additional Details
If you want to know a little more about the bat, I’ve provided some notes on some of the more unique features.
- -10 or -11 drop – this is really helpful. As mentioned earlier, this is bat geared more towards travel ball and collegiate player. There are also players who are developing into that kind of player, but just aren’t quite at that level yet. The -11 drop version is perfect for them to keep their skills up with an elite bat.
- Durability – the CF isn’t the cheapest bat in the world (nor is it the most expensive) and the last thing any hitter wants is to crack the bat. The CF is built using ParaflexPlus composite which promises to be a strong, durable material.
Louisville Meta
The next bat in the list is the Louisville Meta. Similar to the Demarini CF above, the Meta is geared more towards competitive players such as collegiate and travel ball players. The main reason I put the Demarini CF just above it is because it is slightly less expensive. But no doubt about it – the Louisville Meta is one quality option!
There are several other Louisville bats that are great choices as well (I talk about one further below), but what makes the Meta special is found right in the middle of the bat. Louisville has added their own VTX Technology which provides players with a more rigid, solid feeling swing. Some players shy away a bit from two-piece bats as they feel they aren’t durable enough. The Meta should put those concerns to bed!
Additional Details
Outside of the VTX Technology, there are a couple of other things that stand out on the Xeno:
- Game-ready after purchase – Depending on how far you are in your softball career, you’ve probably taken a few swings with a newer bat that just doesn’t feel right. Like gloves, bats tend to require a little bit of a break-in period as well. That being said, the Meta uses patented technology that claims you can go from purchase to the field in no time.
- Balanced swing – Some bats are a little too light and provide too much of a balanced swing (if that makes sense).
The Meta is great for contact and power hitters alike as it provides a better balanced swing weight with a slight extra weight toward the end of the barrel. This keeps the bat light through the swing without taking away too much power.
Louisville LXT
No list would be anywhere close to complete without something from Louisville. The Slugger brand has been around for years and has sold more than 100 million bats (that’s insane). For fastpitch, the current leader is the Louisville LXT. The LXT is an elite bat at a similar price than some of the premier models I mentioned earlier in this article.
So why was it lower on the list? It’s never an easy decision when it comes to bats, but I just felt like some of the earlier models offered a bit more and had more flexibility (league play, weight, etc) than the LXT. With the LXT being the “new kid on the block”, I figured it would be better served here for the time being.
Additional Details
This LXT does have a lot to offer despite being at the bottom of the top 3 (for now). It is an extremely balanced bat and produces a consistent swing each and every time. Some of the additional features that make this one stand out include:
- Two-piece – If you like bats with a high level of responsiveness then the RXT might be the right choice. If you look closely in the middle it looks like mini springs are used (which Louisville calls VCX2 Vibration Connection System). Two piece bats normally provide the hitter with more of a trampoline or bounce effect making it feel more like you are launching the softball.
- Barrel – The LXT is a is a bat that has been through many iterations, which means it is constantly purchased year after year due to performance. The LXT features a PBF Speed Composition barrel. So what does this PBF technology do? The main goal is to provide more responsiveness and power in the barrel. The hope is each and every swing you take will give you that extra pop you’ve been looking for.
Demarini Prism
Although it was a hard decision, I felt the CF series from Demarini reviewed earlier was the better choice for most hitters. However – there is also the Demarini Prism which many players swear by. The CF is arguably the more popular bat, however the case could be made for the Prism to be considered the more responsive bat of the two.
For one thing, the Prism uses what Demarini has named Gapped Wall technology where they’ve fused two separate bat walls to create a large sweet spot without sacrificing anything in the swing. After all – with a large sweet spot – your hits might end up over the gapped wall like the name suggests!
Additional Details
The Prism looks to be a nice choice from a quality brand name. Some additional items of interest include:
- Continuous Fiber Wall – This is slightly different from the Paraflex+ composite used in the Demarini CF series. Using a single sheet of durable composite material, it has been rolled as tightly as possible so it is lighter but still provides an incredible amount of pop.
- Refract End Cap – This is also unique when comparing to other Demarini fastpitch bats. It aims to provide more speed but better control through a players swing. After all – ask any softball player what they prefer and quite a few will mention a consistent swing.
Louisville Quest (Top Fastpitch Bat for Beginners)
Most of the bats shown so far have been geared more towards the advanced and more competitive players. However, I realize there are many of you out there that might not be at that level yet. For newer players, or those that just play recreational ball, I think the Louisville Quest would be the best choice.
Louisville is one of the more respected brands in the softball world, and for under $50 – this -12 drop bat makes a great choice. Newer players in general look for bats that are a little more on the lighter side to help learn swing mechanics. That being said, no matter who you are as a player, you still want to have a little bit of power when you make solid contact.
Additional Details
Here is some more information about the Quest (love the name):
- Lightweight – This is one of the lightest bats reviewed on this page. This is ideal for younger players learning the game and trying to actually make contact first and worry about hitting homeruns later. It is easier to handle than a heavier bat so it is also great for smaller players who are still growing.
- One-piece bat – This largely depends on the player and the difference may be miniscule at best, but many believe that one-piece bats provide more power than 2-piece. They also tend to be a bit more durable as you can imagine – I mean anything made from one piece of material should be stronger that something that has been fused together.
Demarini Zenith(Best Youth Softball Bat)
The Demarini Zenith is the lightest bat we’ve added to this page. The average softball bat typically has a drop of -10 (the difference between length and weight). Power hitters normally prefer a heavier -9 drop, so you can imagine how much lighter a -13 drop bat like the Zenith feels.
So what type of player prefers a really light bat like this one? In general younger players who are still learning how to generate consistent good swings at the plate excel when using a bat like this. Although more power can be generated from heavier bats, players who are young and don’t have their full strength will struggle if they don’t learn proper mechanics first.
Additional Details
The Zenith is the 3rd Demarini bat on this list – which to most shouldn’t be a surprise. Although it is light, it does pack some great performance features:
- Quick swings – Having the ability to swing quickly will help younger players feel like they can play softball. If you’ve ever seen a smaller player swing a heavier bat, you probably notice how difficult and hard it was. A bat like the Zenith helps younger players learn and enjoy the game.
- Less Bat Sting – Something common – especially in younger players – is that awful sensation of vibrations (known commonly as bat sting) on mis-hits. Because this bat is geared more towards younger players, creating it so the stings are less frequent is a huge asset.
If you are looking for more bats geared towards younger players – we just wrote this article on the best 10u fastpitch bats that you should check out.
Mizuno F21 CRBN
Although I haven’t seen this bat in person, the Mizuno F21 CRBN has me quite intrigued. It’s a mid-level bat in terms of price, but the feature list and amount of detail that went into making this bat make it look like a great choice if you are looking for a little more savings from the more popular brands.
This is a 1-piece bat that aims to provide the hitter with a more balanced swing. Because of its 1-piece construction it should last longer than 2-piece bats as well. It is also used by many colleges and travel teams so i’m a bit surprised I haven’t seen it as much.
Additional Details
A couple of features that I think really stand out include:
- X-Zone Barrel – This is a little bit hard to explain so bear with me, but the end result is a really big sweetspot which all hitters enjoy! From what I understand, Mizuno has created this X-Zone barrel by dividing the barrel into 10 specific zones and adjusting the angles for a more responsive bat that launches bombs.
- Anti-Shock design – Let’s face it – bat sting hurts like crazy. So anytime a bat contains some sort of mechanism to reduce this makes it a winner in my book. With fewer vibrations, you don’t have to worry about potentially mis-hitting anything this season.
Easton Topaz
The Easton Topaz is a similar bat to the Louisville Quest that we discussed earlier in this article. At less than $50, the price is right and is a great option for beginner players. As you are probably aware, Easton is one of the best companies in the world for producing high quality softball and other sports gear. There are many players who are extremely loyal to the brand and if that fits you, the Topaz might be the right choice.
One of the nice things about this one is its versatility. Sometimes you’ll find a bat you love, but had no idea it isn’t approved for the standards of the league you play in. Thankfully, this model is approved for ASA, USSSA, NSA, ISF and many others.
Additional Details
The Topaz is quite an underrated bat when you look at it’s details.
- Military Grade Construction – The Topaz is built using Military Grade ALX50 aluminum. This aluminum is very strong which in turn increases the durability of your bat. As mentioned earlier, the fact that this bat is less than $50 and includes exceptional durability makes it a wise choice.
- Lots of reviews – The nice thing about this bat is that it has been purchased by many players and therefore there are a ton of reviews available.
Louisville Proven (Best Fastpitch Bat under $100)
If you are looking for a quality fastpitch bat while spending less than $100 then this version of the Louisville Proven might be just what the doctor ordered.
The $100 range is difficult when it comes to fastpitch bats as some are quite over-priced, where others like the Louisville Proven in my opinion are under priced. One-hundred dollars seems to be the sweet spot where most begin with and therefore it pays to really pay attention to which models are still worth it.
Additional Details
With all of that being said, I do feel the Proven is well worth the $100 bill. Some of the features that are intriguing include:
- Lightweight – This is the perfect beginner or recreational player bat as it is one of the lightest available. How does having a light bat help you? The biggest thing is it helps you develop your skills and learn how to swing properly. It’s the same thing in most other sports as well. You can’t just jump right in and use advanced level equipment without mastering the basics first.
- Power – One of the biggest complaints (which is understandable) around light bats is their lack of power. The Louisville Proven is a bit different however in that it has been constructed with an enhanced sweet spot for more pop. So even though you are swinging a light stick, if you make solid contact – you’ll might be pleasantly surprised with how it performs.
Easton Ghost Double Barrel
Last, but certainly not least, in my list of the best fastpitch softball bats for the 2024 season is the Easton Ghost Double Barrel, which is a popular model amongst elite and high level players.
One thing I haven’t mentioned as much as I probably should have is that in many cases some bats are only permitted for certain leagues. Some may be for ASA-only, others for USSSA, and more (i’ll outline the differences further below). The nice thing about the Easton Ghost is that it can be used at all levels. So you could play ASA, USSSA, ISF, NSA, or ISA and still be covered with this one.
Additional Details
As I mentioned earlier, this is a quality bat. Some additional features included in the Easton Ghost include:
- Double Barrel – You might be wondering why the phrase “double barrel” keeps coming up. This is actually a patent filed by Easton which you can read more about here. Although there is a lot of complicated jargon, the Double Barrel system on the Ghost promises to provide more pop while keeping a great feel in the swing. When I think of patentended technology – I think of it being unique and special!
- Available in different weights – The Ghost Double Barrel is available in many different drop weights. It goes from the power hitter preferred -8 drop all the way to the lighter -11 drop. Although i’ve never tried it, I imagine the -8 with the Double Barrel provides the potential for lots of homeruns!
How to find the best Fastpitch Softball Bat (Buyer’s Guide)
I’ve listed what I feel are the top choices in fastpitch bats this year in the previous section. However for the majority there probably is still a bit of confusion. And no player wants to make a bad choice, especially when it comes to the bat. There are many softball terms thrown around, but I wanted to provide some additional specifics on some of the more common ones you may have noticed above.
Balanced vs End Loaded Swings
If you’ve read everything so far, you’ve probably noticed that I used the terms balanced and end loaded quite a bit above to denote certain swing weights. In it’s simplest form, end loaded bats tend to provide a hitter with a little more power as they swing a bit heavier. Balanced bats on the other hand are more consistent and provide a hitter with a regular feeling swing each and every at bat. The next sub-sections provide a few more details.
Balanced Bat Advantages
Want to know a little more about Balanced bats and how they may benefit you? Here are a few more items to consider:
- Balanced bats are a bit lighter having all its weight geared to all sides from the handle to the end cap of the bat.
- Due to its lightweight, a balanced bat builds your bat swing-speed by giving you more control in your swing and allowing you generate solid contact to all parts of the field.
- For new players balanced bats are typically the simplest to play with. They allow for more flexibility, speed, and movement.
- Used by contact hitters as it allows them to achieve the best swing-speed possible without sacrificing any control during the swing.
End Loaded Bat Advantages
As mentioned earlier – end loaded bats tend to provide more power to a hitter. Some other details:
- End-loaded bats are heavier and have extra weight placed more specifically in the hitting zone.
- For players that have no issues with bat speed or even end up stretching out beyond the ball, then end-loaded bats are best.
- End loaded bats are generally difficult to control for novice players. They are normally recommended for stronger hitters who have no issue generating swing-speed.
- Used by power hitters as they create more mass behind their swing, which brings increased power and ball flight during big hits.
One piece vs Two piece bats
Another common item mentioned in the reviews above were whether or not a bat was a one piece, or two-piece. As you can imagine, the concept is quite simple. A one piece bat is made with a single piece of metal while a two-piece could use a couple of different materials that are then fused together so they can be used.
One-piece bats
Aren’t sure if a one-piece model is right for you? Here are some additional details to help:
- One-piece bats are developed as one continuous piece of metal, which makes it stiff and less flexible.
- Minimal amount of flex at contact, so to make the correct swing and produce enough power, a player will need to put in as much energy as possible into their swings.
- Due to its rigid handle and a stiffer body, a one-piece bat produces more vibrations, so your hands could feel that annoying stinging sensation in some cases.
- Preferred by stronger players with better bat speed – like power hitters.
- Tend to be stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting thanks to their one-piece, consistent, and flex-free design.
- Often less costly than two-piece softball bats because a lot of effort goes into the design and production of two-piece bats.
Two-piece bats
The nice things about two-piece bats is they almost feel like you are launching the softball into orbit (kind of like a trampoline). If you are still unsure, here are more characteristics:
- A two-piece bat is made in two segments: the barrel and the handle – which are reinforced together, making it less stiff and more flexible.
- Two piece models provide more flex at contact with the ball – creating a whip effect which provides a smoother hit.
- Vibrations are significantly less and reduced when compared to one-piece bats as the energy is diverted back into the barrel.
- Contact hitters, or players with normal or below normal bat speed tend to lean towards two-piece bats
- Have a higher possibility of breaking or cracking due to their greater flex.
All of this being said, finding the best fastpitch softball bats is really a personal decision and is no where close to a one size fits all question. In other words, there is no one single bat that is the best for every player. Contact hitters tend to prefer ones that offer more of a balanced swing, while power hitters tend to want bats with more end-loaded power. And of course that does not mean that if you pick up a balanced bat that you can’t generate power. It normally comes down to confidence, feel and many other factors.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this summary and are able to find the right bat for the 2024 season!