Slapper bat size

[Itsabouttime]

Any preference here? Longer for more plate coverage? Shorter for better control? Heavier for more power?

 

[Little Angels Softball]

Caitlin Lowe uses a 34" drop -10.

She isn't exactly a big girl so I'm betting she thinks long for coverage and reach + light for control = a good slapper's bat.

 

[SBFAMILY]

DD IS 5" 4" 107 lbs 33 - 23 length is more important.

 

[redhotcoach]

Just an unscientific observation, from what I have seen of demarini sponsored schools, I think almost every slapper used an endloaded insane.
Why?

 

[Toolman]

I don't know why a slapper would use an end loaded bat. Most I know of use a balanced bat because bat control is extremely important. My 12 year old 5'1", 100 pounder uses a CF6 32 - 21OZ ( drop 11 ). Coverage is definitely an issue, that's why she uses a drop 11 to get that extra inch without getting to heavy to control. She seems to be able to control the lighter bat better. As she gets bigger and stronger, she will probably use a drop 10.

 

[grounded]

13 yr old..4'10 100lb DD....31" fs1...-10. Wishing we were ready for the 32" for coverage, but not yet. We're not going back to the -11's. ..ill give up some coverage to get swing away respect. Hate the light bats with higher pitch velocities..just my opinion

 

[JAD]

Caitlin Lowe uses a 34" drop -10.

She isn't exactly a big girl so I'm betting she thinks long for coverage and reach + light for control = a good slapper's bat.

A 34/24 is NOT a light bat. A slapper may be able to use it since they typically do not take full swings, but a lot of slappers I have seen prefer a -11 or -12. Gives then an extra inch of plate coverage without the extra ounce or two.

 

[Cat5]

DD uses -12...she feels it gives her more control and accurate placement .

 

[wichita]

DD uses a demarini 33 drop10 same as the others above -10 for bat control

 

[SBFAMILY]

In college none of the slappers use end loaded bats in the schools I have watched play. If you watch the video presented by team USA on slapping, you don't want to hit the sweet spot of the bat . You want to hit above or below that spot to make the ball come off the bat softer, so you even have those that think using an older bat that we would think is dead. Now if you are a slapper that also can hit for power, which there are some out there, then I might see using an end loaded bat. I have taught a slew of slappers over the years and few could handle the extra weight when slapping. Keep in mind a slapper is swinging down at the ball, so they have a different swing pattern. Plus many chock up, which the end loaded bats have a smaller sweet spot.