Expert Advice

I have played and coached softball for over 10 years both at competitive and league levels and used many softball bats. But when given the ability to bring any bats into the company I decided to bring in Worth and Miken as well as Rawlings.

RAWLINGS

Rawlings produce very solid bats that offer beginners the option of a good bat for a very low price. The Rawlings range is limited but the bats available are ideal for the beginner and league player in the UK.

WORTH

Worth produce the most durable bats available and considering they do professionals use top-level bats they come at a decent price. The top model Worth bats are the ones I have on the website and are all superb bats. The best players in the UK have a Worth in their list of bats in their bag.

MIKEN

The most popular bats in the UK are the Miken Freak range. How many times did you go to a tournament and see or use a Miken? This was a no-brainer for me to bring in Miken. Their new models for 2006 include the Maniac and the Camo that I have on the site. They rival the Miken Freak in performance, durability and distance. Having used the majority of top softball bats available, The Miken Freak 98 is the best bat available and you can get it to your door in 2 days and ready to use!!!!!

HELP ON SELECTING A BAT

Research your leagues banned bat list don't worry, every bat we sell on Here are ASA legal and OK to use in any tournament/league in the UK.

SIZING

Sizing a softball bat is not that big of an issue, as most are 34 inches in length. This length is ideal for both Ladies and Gents. You may find Ladies may say the bats are too long. There are scenarios where this happens so you may want to look at FAST-PITCH bats if a smaller sized bat is needed. Though gripping the 34" bat a little higher then usual will achieve more control. One problem with choosing a fast pitch bat for slow-pitch game play is that the bat is not as lively as a regular slow-pitch bat.

WEIGHT

Like sizing, weights are also easier to figure out - to a point - with the weights of 26 ounce, 27 Ounce, 28 ounce and 30 ounce being the most readily available in almost all models. Here is where the choices become a little more difficult. I know some very large folks that play at a professional level that swear a lighter bat will increase your bat speed (usually a lot of strength involved). Resulting in the ball going further when you hit it. I know some other more average sized individuals that will swear to using a heavier bat helps them achieve a faster bat speed (using the laws of inertia - heavier object propelled at speed will go faster then lighter object) The best advice I can offer here is Men should not use bats higher then 28 Ounces. Women should not use bats higher then 26 Ounces. Anything heavier results in bat speed slowing down and you not acheiving the maximum power you can!

END-LOAD VS. BALANCED

A couple of simple rules here, OK, If you are swinging for a Home run every time you go to hit then an end-loaded bat is for you. End-loaded bats are designed for players who can 'pull the ball" (right handed batter hits to left field or down third base line most often). If you are swinging to get on base, a balanced bat makes more sense since you can "push" or "place" the ball a little easier. Don't get me wrong; placing a ball CAN be done with end-loaded bats, just as hitting one over the fence CAN be done with a balanced bat. But this is done with practice.

DOUBLE WALL vs. SINGLE WALL

The double wall softball bat has, I believe, become the standard for most softball players and for good reasons. The most important being the trampoline effect is greatly increased over the single wall bats. Having heard this, Many people go out and buy a Demarini nut what people do not realize is that Miken and Worth have achieved this by adding the same technology into the inside of their bats instead of putting another 'shell' on the outer layer of the bat.