What Bat Weight Is Too Light

George Manning VP Technical Services Louisville Slugger TPS

Recently, a significant number of leagues have started putting a minimum weight allowance on bats used in their games. Most of the feedback we have been given to justify this move implied that they felt they had to "limit" performance and this was their attempt to do so.

Unfortunately, many of these reports have come from leagues involving younger players.

Let me address this from an engineer's perspective. To hit with maximum power you must use the heaviest bat you can swing with control without losing much swing speed. Most top-level college programs have found this to be about 28 ounces for the bat. College players have developed stature and size through maturity as well as strength and conditioning programs. As a result, they can maintain control, develop swing speed, and get the best results with the heavier bats.

Fastpitch softball has developed rapidly over the last 10-15 years. To continue to develop, more and more youngsters need to be exposed to and enjoy the game enough to get serious about it. Probably the best thing that has happened to help these new players enjoy the game is the development of light bats that are easier to swing and easier to control. Because of this, they have enough success that they get seriously involved in the game. Some athletes develop at a more rapid rate than others do and some develop size before others. Unfortunately, as in most activities, there is some risk inherent in the game. A few people have looked at the situation and concluded that they can lessen the risk by requiring everyone to use heavier bats. I believe they are wrong and in their efforts they risk making the game difficult enough for a number of players that they may turn to activities other than fastpitch softball. None of us want this outcome.

In recent years, the softballs themselves have become harder. Today, most softballs are harder than the hardballs used in baseball. A way to lessen injuries and lower performance for everyone is to lessen the hardness of the balls. Some Rules Bodies are looking into this. An added bonus to this direction is that the bat durability is greatly enhanced with "softer" balls.

All of us are primarily motivated by what is in the best interest of the game. How we achieve this, we think, is through understanding. From my perspective, limiting the minimum weight of bats is not the best way to accomplish this because it unfairly penalizes the beginners and the least skilled in the sport without reducing the performance of the more highly skilled athletes.