Things to Know About Carbon Fiber Softball Bats?
With so many different types of softball bats, it's hard to know which one to select. Whether you're a league player or a casual softball lover, your bat is just as important as your glove, and it's vital that you select a bat that works best for you. With more and more people opting for carbon fiber bats -- often called composite bats -- over aluminum, they may have piqued your interest. These bats are made of a type of reinforced carbon fiber polymer. For those who are curious about carbon fiber bats, but not sure whether these bats are for you, we've gather all the information you'll need to help you decide.
The History Of Carbon Fiber Bats
Carbon fiber bats have been gaining popularity exponentially over the past few years. While they first started being used in the '80s, and larger companies started rolling these bats out by the mid '90s. Unfortunately, but the late '90s, carbon fiber bats started to fade from the market when aluminum bats gained more popularity. It wasn't until 2001 -- when a composite bat achieved first place in the Performance ranking at the annual Bat Wars -- that these bats started to really taking. Now, these fantastic bats are often considered superior to their aluminum counterparts, with many major players swearing by them.
Advantages of a Carbon Fiber Bat
If you're looking to buy a carbon fiber bat, you've probably noticed that they can run a bit higher than the price of the typical aluminum bat. For those who are comparing the two materials, you'll want to look at the benefits that a composite bat can bring you, such as:
An Easily Controlled Swing Weight
Simply put, if a bat's balancing point is close to the handle, you're going to have an easier time swinging for the ball. Once we get into the science of it, you'll notice that most composite bats have a balancing point up to a few inches closer to the handle than competing aluminum bats. If you've swung an aluminum bat and a composite bat of the same weight, however, you've probably noticed it yourself.
These Bats Can Be Manipulated
When we say "manipulated," we tend to mean by the manufacturer. See, when building an aluminum bat, manufacturers can only make the walls so thin before risking the structural integrity. Carbon fiber bats, on the other hand, have much more wiggle room for customization. Manufacturers can actually manipulate the stiffness of the bat without ever changing the barrel of the bat, which gives a whole new feel to playing.
An Improved Trampoline Effect
When your bat comes in contact with a ball, the act of the ball bouncing off your bat is known as a trampoline effect. In this case, the ball, in a sense, springs off of the bat. Because manufacturers can play with these bats a bit more than they can with aluminum, the trampoline effect can actually be improved in composite bats, meaning you'll notice your swings get more bang for your buck.
With so many bat options, we hope we've given you a bit of a look as to why composite bats have grown in popularity over the years. Whether you're looking for something to give you a bit of an edge over the competition or are just looking for a lighter alternative for casual play, carbon fiber bats are a fantastic choice! Just make sure your league approves them for use before heading into a store to try a few out.
The History Of Carbon Fiber Bats
Carbon fiber bats have been gaining popularity exponentially over the past few years. While they first started being used in the '80s, and larger companies started rolling these bats out by the mid '90s. Unfortunately, but the late '90s, carbon fiber bats started to fade from the market when aluminum bats gained more popularity. It wasn't until 2001 -- when a composite bat achieved first place in the Performance ranking at the annual Bat Wars -- that these bats started to really taking. Now, these fantastic bats are often considered superior to their aluminum counterparts, with many major players swearing by them.
Advantages of a Carbon Fiber Bat
If you're looking to buy a carbon fiber bat, you've probably noticed that they can run a bit higher than the price of the typical aluminum bat. For those who are comparing the two materials, you'll want to look at the benefits that a composite bat can bring you, such as:
An Easily Controlled Swing Weight
Simply put, if a bat's balancing point is close to the handle, you're going to have an easier time swinging for the ball. Once we get into the science of it, you'll notice that most composite bats have a balancing point up to a few inches closer to the handle than competing aluminum bats. If you've swung an aluminum bat and a composite bat of the same weight, however, you've probably noticed it yourself.
These Bats Can Be Manipulated
When we say "manipulated," we tend to mean by the manufacturer. See, when building an aluminum bat, manufacturers can only make the walls so thin before risking the structural integrity. Carbon fiber bats, on the other hand, have much more wiggle room for customization. Manufacturers can actually manipulate the stiffness of the bat without ever changing the barrel of the bat, which gives a whole new feel to playing.
An Improved Trampoline Effect
When your bat comes in contact with a ball, the act of the ball bouncing off your bat is known as a trampoline effect. In this case, the ball, in a sense, springs off of the bat. Because manufacturers can play with these bats a bit more than they can with aluminum, the trampoline effect can actually be improved in composite bats, meaning you'll notice your swings get more bang for your buck.
With so many bat options, we hope we've given you a bit of a look as to why composite bats have grown in popularity over the years. Whether you're looking for something to give you a bit of an edge over the competition or are just looking for a lighter alternative for casual play, carbon fiber bats are a fantastic choice! Just make sure your league approves them for use before heading into a store to try a few out.