Bat For Slapper - Recommendations

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dadofadirtlover

dadofadirtlover

Aug 26, 2015
590
16
I have a girl on my team that's new to slapping and she needs a new bat. Her bat seemed too heavy for her. Forgot to check to see what she was swinging. I let her use DD's 31/18 and that seemed to be better, but she still struggled a little. Recommendations? Something balanced?
 
K

KPower

Apr 26, 2015
705
43
DD has an LXT and a Demarini Slapper bat.
The Slapper is relatively balanced but has a slightly longer barrel and distributes some of the weight back towards the hands for more control. It does swing light. It has become DD's go-to bat. She can slap, bunt or hit away with it. DD is a smaller girl - only 80lbs - she swings a 31/21 (we are working on trasitioning to a 32/22). Not sure how durable it would be for a power hitter - but it works for my little slapper. You can find the 2016 model for around $140 new.
 
55dad

55dad

Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
dadofadirtlover said:
I have a girl on my team that's new to slapping and she needs a new bat. Her bat seemed too heavy for her. Forgot to check to see what she was swinging. I let her use DD's 31/18 and that seemed to be better, but she still struggled a little. Recommendations? Something balanced?
Click to expand...
DD used a regular balanced bat but generally used a -11 instead of a -10. She has used Demarinis and Xenos and I don't think she has ever tried a "slapper" bat.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
 
K

KPower

Apr 26, 2015
705
43
Just to add to my post above...DD did successfully use her LXT for slapping as well. She loved the sound of the LXT and felt like it had more pop in the beginning, but her hitting coach suggested giving the slapper bat a try. Although it doesn't have that breaking glass noise she is slapping very well and seems to be able to control the ball better with the Demarini Slapper. And I know some think it's just a gimmick, but the wrap on the handle goes the opposite way. DD commented on it the first time she picked up the bat - said if felt like it was made for a lefty.

ETA: My DD is 5'2" and about 82 lbs.
 
Last edited:
mudrunner

mudrunner

May 22, 2015
410
28
Illinois
To go along with KPower, my part time slapper DD uses the same bats. She has a 31/21 LXT which is a great balanced bat, and a 32/22 Slapper. The Slapper model does have surprisingly good pop when she swings away with it. Not sure what age or size this girl is, but my DD is 5' 100 lbs.
 
JAD

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I have always been a fan of balanced -10 bats, but for a dedicated slapper I think a -11 could work. Not sure I would ever recommend a -12 or -13 to any player past 10U. I would also like to point out that the best batters are what we call "triple threats", they can bunt, slap or swing away. Most girls swinging a -12 or -13 have little to no power swinging away.
 
55dad

55dad

Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
I am intrigued by the slapper bat. It says it swings light so a 34/24 slapper bat = what?

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
 
K

KPower

Apr 26, 2015
705
43
55dad said:
I am intrigued by the slapper bat. It says it swings light so a 34/24 slapper bat = what?

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

DD has a 31/21 LXT and a 31/21 Slapper. She says the slapper feels different because of the weight being more towards her hands. She really has nothing else to compare it to - but says it definitely feels lighter than her LXT. I'm sure that doesn't help! Lol!
 
55dad

55dad

Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
Well DD is in college now and is a slapper so I will let you all know what bat they decide to put in her hands. It will be a Demarini because they are a Wilson school.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
 
R

Rambler34

Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
55dad said:
I am intrigued by the slapper bat. It says it swings light so a 34/24 slapper bat = what?

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I would say it swings more like a drop 11 without having the durability issues Demarini has had with the actual drop 11's. DD swings a 32/22 slapper and loves it. She actually is slapping less now than before she got it because of the "triple threat" deal. She has great power using it but the extended barrel and weight distribution gives her good control when slapping or bunting.

If you want a good comparison stand a slapper beside the normal balanced bat from Demarini and you will see the barrel is an inch longer. They do wrap the grip in the opposite direction which i though was a gimmick but DD actually prefers it and we have noticed they last longer without rolling or separating.
 
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