Rawlings Softball
Serious athletes of all ability levels appreciate the reality that today’s athletic equipment sports an amazing level of technological and design sophistication that means the perfect piece of gear can be found for every pursuit. If softball is your game, and it is the preferred choice of millions, then you love today’s awesome line-up of clubs, boppers, tools, lumber – that is, softball bats. With that terminology on our tongues, let’s take a look at the terminology used to describe and evaluate the hitting sticks offered by today’s leading manufacturers like Easton, Mizuno, Rawlings, Miken, and DeMarini.
Softball Bat Dimensions. A softball bat is measured in terms of length and weight. Back in the day, the wood bat you used in little league probably had a one to one ratio of length to weight – a 30 inch bat usually weighed about 30 ounces. Today’s advanced materials that include not only aluminum but composites like Kevlar, that are very light relative to weight. Today, a typical 32 inch softball bat will weigh about 22 ounces, producing a -10 ratio, meaning it’s 10 less ounces than it is inches. Such ratios produce greater bat speed, the major component of power. Common lengths range from 31 to 34 inches, while weights extend from 20 to 27 ounces. The grips of today’s best softball bats or made either of rubber for cushioned comfort, or of high-density, high-stick composite for better feel.
Now, moving to the specifics of bat performance, the first term to know is “sweet spot.” Golfers understand that this is the area of the club that will produce the optimum results of contact. A large sweet spot in a softball bat means that even slightly miss-hit swings will still produce plenty of pop. Larger barrels will generally have a larger sweet spot.
The next term is “line drive,” which we all know means a rope coming off the bat. The line drive measurement is really a reflection of the first term, sweet spot. The larger the sweet spot, the higher the percentage of struck balls will be line drives. The term “distance” is self-explanatory. Good design and superior materials mean that the same hitter will get more distance out of some bats than others. The terms “feel” or “sting” are interchangeable, and reflect the level of vibration transmitted through the bat to the hands upon contact. The more the hit is displaced throughout the bat, the less sting, or the better the feel. Good bats will let you know whether you made good contact without making you pay for it with sore hands. Feel is often enhanced with specialized grips or a narrower than usual handle that allows more palm and finger to bat contact.
The “strength” of a softball bat usually refers to the thickness of the bat wall. Lighter materials can be thicker, without adding weight which reduces bat speed, and thicker walls typically deliver more power, which any hitter welcomes. Finally, “durability” or “toughness” applies to the longevity one can expect from a bat. Better materials will last longer without cracking, warping, or breaking. When shopping for your next piece of lumber, it is helpful to understand the terminology the reviews and product descriptions are employing, even if it’s not made of wood.
Janet Hansen is a softball coach in NC and helps others understand how to choose the right softball bat for their needs, at her Softball Bat Review website, http://www.SoftballBatGuide.com. You can also learn batting tips and join in the discussion along the way!
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Rawlings Instinct Fastpitch Softball Bat -13 FPINS2 $25.00 |
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RAWLINGS GIRLS SOFTBALL HELMET PONY TAIL 6 1/2-7 1/2 $5.00 |
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Rawlings GG140SBB RHT Softball Gold Glove,14 inch, New! $62.71 |
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Rawlings 13″ Heritage Softball GloveBrown $50.00 |
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Rawlings Gold Glove Series Softball Glove 13″ RHT, New! $62.71 |
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RAWLINGS BASEBALL GLOVE wilson softball glove $14.75 |
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Rawlings .47 COR SB3 12″ Synthetic Practice Softball $2.99 |
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Rawlings SG76 13″ Softball Glove, LHT, New! $55.99 |
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Rawlings Silverback SB120 Softball 12 inch Glove LHT $35.00 |
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New Rawlings CB135 13.5 inch softball Glove baseball $35.00 |
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RAWLINGS FPLMPF SOFTBALL FASTPITCH BAT 33″ 24 OZ (-9) $79.00 |
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Rawlings Silverback Softball Glove 12″ SB120FP LEFTY $54.95 |
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Rawlings Ambush Fast Pitch Softball Bat, 27/18, -9, New $22.39 |
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*NEW* Rawlings Fuel ASA Softball Bat 34/28 28oz *NIW* $105.00 |
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Rawlings Ambush Fast Pitch Softball Bat, 29/20, -9, New $22.39 |
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Rawlings FP1175 11.75 in Fast Pitch Softball Glove LHT $39.95 |
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New Rawlings LL12Y47L Leather Softballs .47 12″ 1 Dozen $59.99 |
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New Rawlings LL11Y47L Leather Softballs .47 11″ 1 Dozen $59.99 |
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RAWLINGS 14″ ADULT FIELDERS SOFTBALL LEATHER BALL GLOVE $22.50 |
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[6] Softballs: Worth – Dudley – Rawlings MINT unUsed $9.99 |
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Rawlings Baseball Softball Uniform Pants Gray, Youth M $9.99 |
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Rawlings Baseball Softball Uniform Pants Gray, Youth M $7.99 |
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Rawlings PL1208 baseball softball glove 12″ NEW $1.29 |
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RAWLINGS NEW SOFTBALL BASEBALL BLACK CLEATS SZ 6 14032 $11.99 |
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New Men Rawlings Baseball Softball pants Red Stripe ~S $9.99 |
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Girls Fast Pitch Softball Glove Rawlings Baseball 12″ $5.00 |
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Girls Fast Pitch Softball Glove Rawlings Baseball 11.5″ $5.00 |
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Girl’s Rawlings Pink & Blue Softball Glove~NWT~10 inch $4.99 |
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Rawlings 34″ FUEL Slow Pitch -6 Softball Bat 28oz. NEW $19.95 |
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New Rawlings The Playmaker Softball Glove 13 1/2″ $32.95 |
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New Rawlings Liquidmetal Plasma Softball Bat SBLMP98 $159.96 |
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New Rawlings The Playmaker Softball Glove 13″ $32.95 |
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RAWLINGS RBG30TB 13 INCH BASEBALL SOFTBALL GLOVE LHT $29.99 |
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RAWLINGS DELUXE Y/LARGE WHITE BASEBALL SOFTBALL PANTS $4.33 |
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RAWLINGS DELUXE Y/LARGE GRAY BASEBALL SOFTBALL PANTS $4.33 |
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RAWLINGS DELUXE Y/MEDIUM GRAY BASEBALL SOFTBALL PANTS $4.33 |
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RAWLINGS DELUXE Y/MEDIUM WHITE BASEBALL SOFTBALL PANTS $4.33 |
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RAWLINGS SLIDING SHORTS YM WHITE BASEBALL SOFTBALL NEW $4.33 |
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Rawlings In Red Canvas Print / Canvas Art – Artist Jame Hayes This is a beautiful stretched-canvas art print wrapped on 2.5″ thick stretcher bars. The print is professionally printed, assembled, and shipped within 2 – 3 business days from our production facility in North Carolina and arrives ready-to-hang on your wall. Fine Art America is home to more than 35,000 artists from all over the world who entrust us to fulfill their print orders online. We offer a … |
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Rawlings Adult Knee Relievers $31.40 Rawlings Knee Relievers…Cushion & Support For Catchers! Rawlings Adult Knee Relievers feature: Provides cushion and support to knee Reduces fatigue Helps the catcher to come up throwing quicker Attaches directly to any leg guard Colors: Black Navy Royal Scarlet Rawlings Is Baseball!… |
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Rawlings Poly Flatback Mesh Short II – Men’s The Scope Short is made of 100% polyester flatback mesh. Elastic waistband with internal drawcord, embroidery. 7.5″ inseam. Imported…. |
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Rawlings Poly Flatback Mesh S/S Tee – Men’s This Rawlings short-sleeve tee is made of 100% polyester flatback mesh with a logo embroidered on the left sleeve and a rib knit collar. Imported…. |
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Rawlings Poly Flatback Mesh Short – Men’s The Scope Short is made of 100% polyester flatback mesh. Elastic waistband with internal drawcord, embroidery. 7.5″ inseam. Imported…. |
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Rawlings Official League Baseball 5 oz. $2.99 *For recreational use, one ball per order… |
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RAWLINGS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL-12” OPTIC YELLOW LEATHER – .47COR $4.50 This affordable ball is approved by ASA and all softball organizations. Optic yellow leather cover. .47 C.O.R. Polycore Center. Meets mid-compression standards. CALL 1-800-545-1329 FOR QUANTITY PRICING…. |
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Doughnut Bat Weight (BW16) $5.95 Faster swings and more power are possible with practice and a bat weight…. |
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Rawlings Official Softball Rules, Season 1952 … |
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Rawlings Playmaker Series PM130 Baseball Glove (13-Inch) The versatile Rawlings Playmaker Series PM130 Glove can be used for baseball or softball. Its 13-inch length and deep pocket ensure that it is well-suited for the special demands of softball, while the same design features can also be put to good use by baseball outfielders looking for a glove with a long reach. Gold logo lettering lets your competitors know that you’re playing with a glove from t… |
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Rawlings ‘Arsenal’ Youth 30/16.5 Baseball Bat $49.99 Rawlings bat includes Sure-Lock Low Rider 105 MPH ultra tough end plugBaseball bat features Buzz Off vibration-reduction gripSports equipment boasts aluminum/composite construction |
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Rawlings ‘Edge’ 32/24 Fastpitch Softball Bat $29.49 Rawlings ‘Select’ bat will increase your team’s hitting prowessFastpitch softball bat features a 2.25-inch x 12-inch barrelTeam sports gear includes a durable synthetic wrap grip |
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Rawlings Youth ‘Coolflo’ T-ball Helmet $13.49 Look great on your team with Rawlings new Coolflo helmetT-ball helmet is NOCSAE approvedBatting helmet features venting technology |
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Rawlings ‘Select’ 30/22 Fastpitch Softball Bat $23.99 Rawlings ‘Select’ bat will increase your softball team’s hitting prowessTeam sport item contains a 2.25-inch x 11-inch barrelFastpitch softball bat has a durable synthetic wrap grip |
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Rawlings ‘Silverback’ Official Softball (Case of 12) $38.49 Rawlings is the number one baseball brand worldwideRawlings uses the same, patented Superstich seam technology on their softballsSilverback 11-inch circumference slow-pitch softball |
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Rawlings ‘Anthem’ 24/12 Aluminum T-ball Baseball Bat $24.49 Swing into a win with this Rawlings Anthem 2.25-inch barrel T-ball batBaseball bat features a sure-lock end plugSports equipment has premium wrap style grip |
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Rawlings ‘Select’ 29/21 Fastpitch Softball Bat $24.79 Rawlings ‘Select’ bat will increase your team’s hitting prowessFastpitch softball bat features a 2.25-inch x 11-inch barrelSports gear includes a durable, synthetic wrap grip |
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Rawlings ‘Anthem’ 25/13 Aluminum T-ball Bat $24.79 Swing into wins with this 2.25-inch T-ball bat Kids baseball bat has sure-lock end plugSports equipment has premium wrap style grip |
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Rawlings ‘Silverback’ Official Softballs (Pack of 6) $25.99 Rawlings ‘Sliverback’ softballs have an aluminum bat-friendly design that provides maximum distance Durable polyurethane core keeps softballs firm inning after inningSports item contains an 11-inch leather cover |
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