When it comes to buying the right fastpitch softball bat for your daughter, there are many variables and price-points to consider. The low-end softball bats can be quite cheap by comparison to the higher end models, and it’s hard to know what really makes the difference. Many parents when face with the decision of which bat to buy and how much to pay consider buying the cheaper bat, and if the daughter decides she loves the sport then they will invest in a better bat later on. This line of thought is understandable, but it’s not the best way to approach the decision.

A high end bat, such as the Anderson RocketTech, Miken Icon, Easton Stealth, DeMarini CF4, Worth Mayhem, and Louisville Slugger Catalyst can cost anywhere from $175 to $300, where as a low-end bat can be had for around $20. But, the higher end bats to make such a dramatic change in scoring potential. Because of this, the decision to buy a cheaper bat until the player loves the sport may actually determine whether or not they actually do. Perhaps if she had had the high tech bat from the beginning she could have bit more line drives, actually gotten on base and made some home runs. This success at the plate will determine how much she loves the game.

Another common mistake parents make when buying their daughter a bat is to buy a bigger one than she currently needs, thinking that she’ll grow into it and can use it for more seasons. Perhaps, yes, down the road she will grow into the bat. But the risk you run is turning her off from the sport because she can’t manage her bat, can’t score as well as she’d like, and then she’ll never have the chance to grow into it because she won’t still be playing. Id the bat you buy is too heavy she’ll be an ineffective hitter and you will have defeated your whole point of investing in a quality bat. It’s best to just get her the size she needs right now, and foster her growth so she really loves the sport.

These bats are not cheap, and it does seem like a huge amount of money to pay for sports equipment. But if you are serious, and your daughter is serious, then she will be most satisfied if she’s scoring runs on a winning team. Does a high tech fastpitch softball bat make a very big difference for the team? Yes, of course it does. If the other parents on the team are complaining it’s too much money, talk with them and see if they would consider contributing $20 or more to a good quality team bat. This way all the players have access to a great bat, with a good sweet spot and a log of ping, one that will help them hit to the outfield. It’s better the girls all share a premium bat that might be a little too long or slightly too heavy rather than get discourage swinging a dud of a cheap bat that fits just right.