bat weight?

[Fastpitch Mom]

My DD needs a new bat and I would like some advise before purchase.

DD is 5'4" and about 160, she currently uses an Easton Synergy Clarity 33" 23oz. It has been suggested she use a heavier bat -9 or -8. I have done some reading online but so many reviews (with I suspect vendor reviews added in) only confuse me more. To add to my issue the selection in my area is primarily what Dick's carries

I can get ahold of a Stealth Clarity 33/22 new for $130. At the shop this bat is available she has also tried a Demarini CF5 32" -9

Any suggestions of the pros and cons of these bats and any others?

 

[PA SB Dad]

The Stealth Clarity is lighter than her current bat, so I would not consider that one. Does she have some teammates with heavier bats she can try out? Are there batting cages/training facilities that have demo bats she can swing/hit in the cages?

 

[redhotcoach]

Just my opinion, but what I have seen, and read reviews of, claritys are not great. You can find xenos or cf4 in last years model for around $150.

Again my opionion is that people tend to push using as heavy a bat as a girl can handle. How do you decide a 23 oz is too light? Does she have too much bat speed? A lot of balls have gone park with lighter bats than 23oz.

 

[SBFAMILY]

The kids I work with like the Demarini Insane. Feels like a balanced bat, but swings like an end loaded bat. No one can tell you how heavy of a bat to use, unless they have seen her swing a bat. I know everyone wants to say height and weight = such and such, but I have small kids swinging heavier bats than big kids. It is all about the swing path and how good a swing she has.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Well put SBF ..... a batter with a good swing can generally handle swinging a heavier barrel, than can a batter with a poor swing. Those that power their swing with their arms tend to need having their swing subsidized with a lighter bat ... and those that have a more appropriate swing can handle a greater range in barrel weights.

 

[Fastpitch Mom]

There are two batting cages with a few demo bats. Unfortunately what they have is very hit or miss, which only adds to the confusion. She tried a CF5 -9, but it was only a 32", also tried a CF5 -10. Other bats she has swung in stores and "likes" are frenzy 4.0 (-9 and -10) and the new Stealth.

 

[Fastpitch Mom]

Just my opinion, but what I have seen, and read reviews of, claritys are not great. You can find xenos or cf4 in last years model for around $150.

Again my opionion is that people tend to push using as heavy a bat as a girl can handle. How do you decide a 23 oz is too light? Does she have too much bat speed? A lot of balls have gone park with lighter bats than 23oz.

I have read lots of reviews (for all kinds of bats) and find both good and bad for every bat. I find it very hard to figure out which are honest and which have an agenda.

My DD goes to a hitting coach, who I asked for a suggestion, to replace the current bat before it wears out. His only suggestion was as heavy a she can handle.

 

[Fastpitch Mom]

Does she have some teammates with heavier bats she can try out?

Unfortunately no, but some have other brands at -10, that I will see if she can try.

 

[Coach JV]

perhaps an Anderson bat is in order.
I have found them to be very durable
and price competitive

 

[chinamigarden]

Just Bats . com solves your availability issue. I have bought a few bats from them and the service is good. Figure out what you need, and if Dick's doesn't have it. Order it on line.