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Fastpitch softball is a type of softball that requires a smaller field, larger ball and shorter bat than baseball. The pitch speed of balls in a fastpitch softball is between 50 to 60 mph because a player has to spin the ball before throwing it underarm in a windmill motion. There are specific bats for fastpitch softball, and these bats have designs that can handle the ball speed.
Fastpitch Bats
Use suitable bats that can accommodate high ball speeds when playing fastpitch softball. There are different materials for manufacturing bats, and they include aluminium, alloy, composite or wood materials. Bats can also be one-piece or two-piece. One-piece bats have the same material in their entire design. In contrast, two-piece bats have different materials for the handle and the barrel. There are balanced and end-loaded bats. Balanced bats have a uniform weight distribution, while end-loaded bats have a weight concentration towards the barrel. End-loaded bats are suitable for power hitters, and balanced bats are ideal for contact hitters. Fastpitch bats have a 2¼ inch barrel diameter, and their drop weight is between 8 and 13. There are different types of fastpitch softball bats, and they include;
- Easton Ghost Advanced
- DeMarini CF
- Louisville Slugger Xeno X20
- DeMarini FNX
- 2021 Louisville Slugger LXT
You may be interested in the following articles, Best Fastpitch Softball Bats in 2021 and Louisville Slugger Xeno X20 Review
Easton Ghost Bats
Easton Ghost is a fastpitch bat. The bat has a double barrel, Ultra-thin handle, is legal for play in USSSA, NSA, ASA, ISA and ISF games. The bat has a 12-month warranty and is available in drop8, drop9, drop10 and drop11. These bats have the same features and only have different drop weights. Some features of the Easton Ghost double barrel bat includes;
- Two-piece composite bat
The Easton Ghost is a two-piece bat from XTX, which is Xtra Tough Resin Matrix. XTX is a composite material that improves the bat’s durability, reducing hand stings and the trampoline effect.
- Balanced Swing Weight
A bat with balanced swing weight has an even weight distribution across the length of the bat. A balanced bat is light with fast swing speeds.
- Drop Weight
Drop Weight is the negative difference between the bat length in inches mad the bat weight in ounces. Drop weight is a measure of how light a bat is. A high drop weight indicates a lightweight bat, and a low drop shows a heavy bat. Easton produces four drop weight variants for the Easton ghost line. They are the Easton ghost drop8, Easton ghost drop9, Easton ghost drop10 and Easton ghost drop11. The drop8 and drop9 bats are end-loaded bats, while the drop10 and drop11 are balanced bats. Hence, the Easton ghost series is suitable for both power hitters and contact hitters.
- Double Barrel
The bat’s design features a double-barrel that gives the players the best feel, sound and pop. The inner barrel gives a head-turning sound and high performance on contact with the ball, and the outer barrel is soft and has a no break-in period
- Connexion+ Technology
Connexion+ technology improves comfort and reduces vibrations on impact.
- 2 ¼ inch Barrel Diameter
A small barrel diameter helps with even weight distribution in the bat, and it improves swing speed and bat control in players
- 1.2mm HYPERSKIN Diamond grip
The Easton ghost has a 1.2mm HYPERSKIN Diamond grip and an ultrathin handle which provides comfort in the grip and also improves bat control with every swing
- 1.20 BPF Certification
BPF means ball performance factor. It is a measure of how fast a ball rebounds on a bat compared to a solid reference surface. The Easton ghost has a 1.20 BPF certification which shows that the rebound speed is 20% faster.
You can also check out Best Slowpitch Softball Bats
Conclusion
The Easton ghost bat is a fastpitch bat with features that make it suitable for both contact hitters and power hitters. The bat has technologies that are supposed to improve its durability. Still, reviews by players show that the bat cracks after few uses. However, the bat has a 12-month warranty with a one-time replacement.