Getting different bat advice from different coaches... WTD?

[shineoflight]

the 2008 combat virus fp bat ( the purple and blue one) can be had for about 100 on ebay. Its a pretty amazing bat with good pop with break in. I bought my daughter one and she is hitting well with it It is the best bat for the money

 

[SamG]

Updating...

She used the 34/24 in practice Tuesday & scrimmage last night. Got some good rips in practice (although missed some too). In the scrimmage, she made contact both AB but both were popups. One died between pitcher & short and she got on base the other came down right on 2nd base.

To me that means she's coming around with it (both hits more toward the middle of the field), but she needs to work on hitting the ball square & level. Fingers crossed during state tourney this weekend... although coach told her she'll need to fight to get back into the batting lineup because he just added another player. He'll play her on defense because she has a good glove, but needs to work on hitting.

 

[FPMark]

Please don't tell her to swing level if you mean with the ground, it'll mess her up. Weak pop ups can be a sign of a late swing, weak ground balls a sign of early swing.

While it may be possible for your DD to use a 34" 24oz bat, I would caution against it. My DD is the same size as your's (14YO) and uses a 32" 22oz bat with a 31" 21oz for faster pitchers. The wieght may not be as big a factor as the length. the longer the bat, the further away from the hands the center of gravity. Makes the bat harder to controll. At 12 or 13 YO, I doubt she has enough perfect mechanics to be able to go with a long, heavy bat. 34" bats are the longest legal for play in fastpitch. Not all college players use one that big.

I would try a 32" (-10) or a 31" (-9) and get the mechanics right first. I can't believe a hitting coach would suggest that a student use a long heavy bat at lessons. She may "let" her use it, but I doubt she would recommend it if she didn't already have it.

 

[jinjet95]

Quote[ I am glad that other players are letting her use their bats. Some girls are not allowed to share because of how expensive the bats are. And some girls abuse the bats by hitting them against home plate, throwing them against the fence and knocking their cleats against them. I would remember to thank anyone that let me use their bat.

Good luck with your search for a bat. (Oh, and I never told my husband how expensive the bats were. I recently told him, "If I get hit by a bus, don't just give the bats away." He still didn't know what I was talking about. We almost had to evacuate Flagstaff, AZ. due to a forest fire, once and I was in the garage throwing the bats in the car. He just gave a strange look.) ]Quote


I had to chuckle at that. I feel the same way about my purses.

 

[Richards]

Its not the size that mattes its how you use it! Your DD should be able to tell you if it feels to heavy or too light...........have you asked her?

 

[SamG]

I hope someone checks back in here. I can get an Easton SV1B off ebay for $45. It's a 32/19.5. Here's a link to the Amazon listing for the bat... Amazon.com: Easton SV1B V12 Women's Fastpitch Softball Bat 32 inches, 19.5 ounces: Sports & Outdoors.

I know it's not a composite bat, but again money is an issue. I have not gone to our local used sports store (their hours aren't very conducive to my schedule). Anyone know anything good/bad about this bat?

Thanks

 

[PEPPERS]

There is a store in our area called Play it Again Sports, and I know there are located in different parts of the country. They have used bats, some expensive ones for a fair price.

When buying a used bat make sure the bat is approved for the division your DD plays in, make sure it has no cracks around the end cap, or dents.

A bat too heavey as may have advised will cause some mechaniocal problems with the swing, which can be hard to fix later on.

Below is a chart by Worth, also an article on bat selection by one of the sporting good company. Good luck!!!!!!!!

Youth 8-10 Years Old
Player Height / Best Bat Weight:
48 in. 16 oz.
50 in. 16.5 oz.
52 in. 17 oz.
54 in. 17.5 oz.
56 in. 18 oz.
58 in. 18.5 oz.
60 in. 19 oz.
Formula = (Height/4) + 4

Youth 11-12 Years Old
Player Weight / Best Bat Weight:
70 lbs. 18 oz.
80 lbs. 19 oz.
90 lbs. 19.5 oz.
100 lbs. 20 oz.
110 lbs. 20.5 oz.
120 lbs. 21 oz.
130 lbs. 21.5 oz.
140 lbs. 22 oz.
150 lbs. 23 oz.
Formula = (Weight/18) + 14

High School & College
Player Height / Best Bat Weight:
66 in. 27 oz.
68 in. 27.5 oz.
70 in. 28 oz.
72 in. 29 oz.
74 in. 30 oz.
76 in. 30.5 oz.
Formula = Height/3 + 6


Softball Bat Buyers Guide - Dick's Sporting Goods

 

[softballphreak]

There is a store in our area called Play it Again Sports, and I know there are located in different parts of the country. They have used bats, some expensive ones for a fair price.

When buying a used bat make sure the bat is approved for the division your DD plays in, make sure it has no cracks around the end cap, or dents.

A bat too heavey as may have advised will cause some mechaniocal problems with the swing, which can be hard to fix later on.

Below is a chart by Worth, also an article on bat selection by one of the sporting good company. Good luck!!!!!!!!

Youth 8-10 Years Old
Player Height / Best Bat Weight:
48 in. 16 oz.
50 in. 16.5 oz.
52 in. 17 oz.
54 in. 17.5 oz.
56 in. 18 oz.
58 in. 18.5 oz.
60 in. 19 oz.
Formula = (Height/4) + 4

Youth 11-12 Years Old
Player Weight / Best Bat Weight:
70 lbs. 18 oz.
80 lbs. 19 oz.
90 lbs. 19.5 oz.
100 lbs. 20 oz.
110 lbs. 20.5 oz.
120 lbs. 21 oz.
130 lbs. 21.5 oz.
140 lbs. 22 oz.
150 lbs. 23 oz.
Formula = (Weight/18) + 14

High School & College
Player Height / Best Bat Weight:
66 in. 27 oz.
68 in. 27.5 oz.
70 in. 28 oz.
72 in. 29 oz.
74 in. 30 oz.
76 in. 30.5 oz.
Formula = Height/3 + 6


Softball Bat Buyers Guide - Dick's Sporting Goods

Whoa!! That HS and College chart is off the charts! Grown men in slowpitch hardly use those weights!

Mostly in HS you'll find 22-24 oz. bats. It's usually the length with a –9 or –10 oz. drop they call it. IOW, 32 inches, 22 oz. is a –10 oz drop.
Height and weight don't usually play much into it. Strength and bat speed does.

 

[Justanotherdad]

If she is popping up it could also be an indication of her dumping the barrel because of a lack of control due to the length and weight. You really need to find an appropriately sized bat. 34/24 is much too big. My daughter is 5-6 140 lbs and built and I would NEVER let her swing that size of a bat. Her mechanics would almost certainly break down.

Right now she swings a 32/23 and occasionally in practice a 33/23.

 

[jinjet95]

My DD is 5'2" 110 lbs and uses a 32/22 Xeno. She's a former gymnast, so very muscular. 33/23 is as big as I'd go with a girl that size.