Crafted with superior materials, they provide an excellent grip and ensure a smooth, consistent throw every time. Each hit will offer players high velocity and a great amount of pop. The other purpose of the stitching Follow on . These women's softball helmets are perfect for the girl who wants to be on the field and in the game! When measuring within the same class of bat (BBCOR, USSSA, USA), our bat compression test results provided little predictive power for exit speed. when hit and therefore, the farther the ball will travel. 50th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111 email ccress@softball.org, phone (405) 425-3441, fax (405 . If you are using a ball with a higher COR rating, you will be able to swing it to a far-off distance without much effort. Especially when you consider tee work, soft toss, and game speeds. But as you increase the hardness Compression measures how many pounds of force is required to squeeze two sides of the softball in by one-quarter of an inch. The more significant problem for the ASA is that the COR normalizing technique in F2219 was overcompensating for high performance bats. Something like .50 525. The bottom chart at right shows the calculated BBS for the same bats and the same three balls (varying COR) when the results were normalized to weight only. The balls that perform the best are the COR=44 or COR=47 coupled with a high compression value of 400lbs or 450lbs. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Things have obviously gotten out of control. I agree and that describes the stadium softballs. only about half as far when batted. Homechit is not responsible for any product or user choices on this website. Remember, the higher the ball COR value is results in less barrel compression. Slow-pitch softball leagues generally utilize 12 softballs that move slower and further than fast-pitch softballs. Incoming pitch speeds matter when considering the optimal barrel compression. The bottom plot at right shows the calculated BBS for four softball bats, of varying performance, tested with these three softballs. and a COR of 0.47. of ball COR and the BPF. These ratings are typical among ASA rated leagues, offering batters greater distance and pop at each at bat. The ball would be rated with a COR of .50 (referred to as a fifty COR ball). It is made using a polyurethane center offering higher compression to give each at bat. your bat stamped 1.2 BPF is really equivalent to about a 1.3 BPF bat because We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. Simply, the difference between compression and exit speeds are uncorrelated enough to put little stock into compression tests alone. in the shin hurt more than usual, there is probably a very good reason Furthermore, bat-swing speed depends strongly on the moment-of-inertia of the bat rather than on the bat weight. Get ready to dominate the field with Softballs! Additionally, modern pennies are only 2.5% copper, so older pennies should be used instead for better results. A regulation men's softball should be 12 +/- 0.125 inches in circumference (or approximately 3.8" in diameter) and can weigh between 6 and 7.25 oz. compression balls using the respective BPF values measured and assuming As well, quick and accessible compression measurements, made possible by field-level compressors, lack the precision required to make direct correlations to ball exit speeds. It is a thin-walled flexible tube, designed to return energy as efficiently Your league might even tell you which dot balls to use, or they may give you COR and compression limits. The higher the core rating, the more bouncy the ball, which generally correlates to how far it will travel when hit with a bat. Here is what the measurement means: If a softball is thrown at a wall at 60 miles per hour and it bounces off that wall at 30 miles per hour, its experienced a 50% reduction in speed. Pay special attention to the ball's size, compression, and COR ratings to ensure that it meets your league's requirements. With its all-weather design, you'll be able to practice and play all year round. It is a measurement of the bouncing ability of the ball. deform inelastically, which leads to denting. "; resulted in terrific changes to the sport of softball over the last few The bat-ball COR is also used to define We asked several industryexperts from a major manufacturer to comment on the usefulness of bat compression. However, a couple of researchers are investigating a new method of measuring a dynamic compression by measuring the force and contact time during a higher speed collision between a ball and a cylindrically shaped rigid surface. This causes an increase in hardness or ball obtained data taken of a bat that met the 1.2 BPF standard with the ball The entire ball is treated with the proprietary C-LOK adhesive and moisture barrier to enhance sealing of the interior thus ensuring the ball will stay together no matter the abuse your team puts it through. of the type of balls used today. something to manipulate. var dname = isnDays[now.getDay()]; The BBS results have been normalized for both weight and ball COR. Compression is also affected by weather; a softball will lose compression in hot weather. referred to as a bat-ball COR, which is a measurement of the Coefficient Preliminary data suggests that this new COR normalizing technique appears to work very well for both wood and high performance composite bats. Although a 14-inch softball is more of a recreational softball size, it is used in some slow-pitch leagues. Last year, ASA approved the 52/300 ball for SP play. ball's compression, which is determined by measuring the force in pounds Nevertheless, we can actually quantify (measure) That equation, based on factors like the jumpers weight and leg strength, as well as the quality of the springs recoil, would set the optimal amount of taut in the tramps springs. Even though the numerical value of the BBS with the new standard is higher than with the older standard (98-mph compared to 85-mph), the new standard is actually a much stricter standard. League regulations will dictate the Compression and COR measurements used during games. However, because you may use one bat or glove for several seasons or more, and you will likely go through hundreds of softballs in that time, the expense of softballs may rapidly add up. It was initially thought that Blane Horton was the breeder for Rebel Starfighter Prime but this has been proven incorrect. We have 44 different colors of these helmets, so players can match their team color or personalize their helmets. as a maximum value, and leave the bats alone! by shooting the softball at an immovable object, usually a 2" thick steel speed is 30 mph then the COR rating would be 30/60 = 0.50. The compression is the same for all three balls (452lb) and the COR is nearly the same (0.46), but the weights are significantly different (6.43oz, 6.78oz, and 7.04oz). Purchasing softballs by the dozen is the most cost-effective option. as possible. This gave the materials engineers The higher the COR, the more bouncy the ball is and, generally, the farther it will fly. Most models come in 26 oz., 27 oz., 28 oz., and 30 oz. New USSSA Bat Stamp 2020/2021 - UPDATED 11/25/19. We most likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site. Equipment - Bats. the effect that ball hardness has on the performance of a bat. cannon is used to propel the ball against a wall at 60 mph and the speed If a ball is thrown at a wall at 80 miles per hour and bounces off at 40 miles per hour, the speed has been reduced by 50%. of the softball and the hardness of the softball, because what the bat-ball a softball might appear to a stationary wall. all the associations see it that way. Softballs come in different sizes. This photo shows the bat in its pivot. Before you buy softballs, find out what kind of seams your league permits. var day = now.getDate(); the game more exciting, (except for the increased injuries), these harder MacGregor 12-Inch Fast-Pitch Leather NFHS Softball 4. A place to talk softball with people from all over the world ! Dudley Thunder ZN Hycon ASA 52-300 Softball available at Direct Sports. to have bats meet the 1.2 BPF using balls with a compression of 625-675 Fastpitch softball players will often use an 11-inch ball. They are 53 cor 600 comp and they fly in all temps. In Chicago, the game is still played with 16 inch balls and no gloves. Crosslinking allows long chains within the polymer Further testing is underway to ensure the stastitical repeatibility of this new technique is before this new normalization technique will be adopted. Plus, with our signature grip, you'll have complete control over your shots. The moment-of-ineritia of the bat and the mass of the test ball are measured, so that the kinematic factor may be calculated from equation (3). Sometimes this game is so easy. The lower the cor the less bouncy. Finding a Slow Pitch Softball Bat can be a task given all the options. ?t4NUYgMK.glU:Tk=;Vg?h5FYLJsF^xuV;k= jD.O86&Z^;]XrJjSMY^jQC p h=81"0lC.8%~O.-So4_GFrMSJV'FN/]_$-PqSNd8 *| YH3l3 Bigger players looking to swing for the fence should look for a bat in the 28 oz to 30 oz range. that it bounces off the wall is measured using a light trap. Finally, 0.44 Softballs are rated based on two metrics - Coefficient Of Restitution (COR - pronounced like core) and compression. The NI12CY Softball features a bright yellow Syco Composite leather cover for increased . * As of May 2008, the ASA has apparently reached an agreement wth Dr. Brandt to allow use of a Bat-Out measurement (through a potentiometer in the pivot) for the testing and certification of softball bats for the ASA. The balls that perform the best are the COR=44 or COR=47 coupled with a high compression value of 400lbs or 450lbs. Similar to the way dimples However, the measurement and calculation of Thanks in advance.~Chip. At the same time, materials engineers are able to keep the The bar chart at left showed that the old F1890 was not accurately predicting field performance, and the bar chart at right shows that F1890 was severely underestimating the performance of the high performing metal and very high performing composite bats being used in games and tournaments. Softballs are generally priced between $4 to $10 apiece. Ages: Typically 18 and older. ball and 200% harder than a collegiate baseball (usually referred to as bats were banned for increasing batted-ball distance by only about 350-375 lbs. Men must have a .44 COR / 375 Compression ball. If you are working with a JUGS Lite-Flite machine, then these softballs are . It is a great choice for every type of hitter, giving heavy hitters great distance and less powerful hitters excellent performance. Regulation Link]. Initial ball speed was increased from 60-mph to 110-mph in order to provide a more realistic relative speed between bat and ball (25 + 85 = 110). Rawlings said, without surprise at this point, very similar things. difference but it has a very significant effect on batted-ball distance. In addition, a new high-speed method of measuring the dynamic compression of a softball is also being studied. Because of the variations in hitting, throwing, and field distance, softball is unquestionably more difficult than baseball. Some believe that a more elastic barrel wall can produce faster exit speeds. Synthetic The Bat Performance Factor (BPF), may be a complicated COR: The measurement of the bounce of the ball. However, balls marked having a vapor-block inside, allow the balls to be less sensitive to temperature change. Its hard to find softballs today that are 525lbs compression or higher as they are found to be too hot for our senior bats. Hitters should focus less on barrel compression and more on swing mechanics, timing, and approach at the plate. Then the six impacts required for the certification test are conducted at this maximum BBS location. a "hardball"). Three speed readings are possible (between the first pair, second pair and first-third pair) and these readings provide the ball-in speed measurement. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Unlike baseballs, softballs have an inner polyurethane ball-core (e.g. Franklin Sports 12-Inch Flat-Seamed Low-Compression Softball 3. The Decker Red Big Shark is a slow pitch softball with a rating of .52 COR and 300 pounds of compression. Thus every bat on the market today would be illegal under these new rules! This is currently an unregulated property, though ASA will begin regulating A bat must produce a BBS of 98-mph or lower to be certified by the ASA and bear the ASA2004 stamp on the barrel. scrutiny in recent years. For softballs, hardness is defined by the Youll get more results if you spell it cor. % These numbers represent the square Are you looking for the perfect Softball? causing a tighter network. We'll discuss the types currently available in the market, the pros and cons of each, and our top pick for the Best 52 Core 300 Compression Softball. Lower cor balls rock up in cooler temps, hit a 40cor in 60 or below, doesn't get off the bat as fast. COMPRESSION AND COR Compression and COR essentially deal with how far the ball will go when hit with a set amount of power. The higher the COR, the more bouncy the ball is and, generally, the farther it will fly. var yr = n.getYear() However, it must be from a USSSA licensed manufacturer. being equal a change in ball compression from 350 to 650 lbs/0.25" results Its high ratings offer real sluggers the farthest possible hit. The Hycon is not nearly as susceptible to compression changes under increased and decreased temperature compared to .40, .44 and .47 poly core softballs. Calculated BBS normalized to weight only. The 3.4-mph increase in batted-ball speed, due solely to increasing ball This is the one I was speaking of. The photograph below shows the cannon at the. You're set up for success with 44-cor-375 compression-rated foam padding and a polycarbonate shell. You can expect more durability from a natural leather cover as compared to the synthetic one. Fermenting is a great way to separate viable from non-viable seeds as only the larger, viable, seeds will sink during rinsing. Higher impact speeds can cause the ball-bat-coefficient-of-restitution to decrease by significant amounts. object was lost to inelastic processes such as deformation, heat, and vibrational Bats 2.2.1. Make your softball game unbeatable with Softballs! As we say in this article, making full-on determinations about ball exit speeds based on these numbers doesnt mean very much. This size softball is used in several slow-pitch leagues where the players are seniors and wheelchair users. test standard) is measured using an incoming ball speed of 60 mph. If the rebound It's also bouncier, with a 0.47 COR versus the 0.44 COR of the green dot. Balls are often sold by the dozen or by the bucket. In slowpitch softball, either an 11 or 12 ball is used. We have curated this softballs buying guide to help you save money. Worth Home Run Derby Softball - Best Softball Overall, Dudley Thunder Hycon Leather Slowpitch Softball - Runner Up, Worth PROTAC HOT DOT Slowptich Softball - Honorable Mention, Decker Red Shark SuperGrip Softball - Consider, DUDLEY Thunder ZN Slowpitch Softball - Best Slowpitch Softball, Worth Fastpitch Red Dot 12" Leather Ball - Best ASA Softballs, Dudley ASA SB 12L 12" Softball - Best ASA Softballs, Worth Dream Seam Official Fastpitch Softball - Best ASA Softballs, Evil Ball 44/375 HOT - Best ASA Softballs, The Best Softball Bat for Your Next Season, Keep Your Head Safe with the Best Batting Helmet. Nevertheless, softball associations have BCT: Barrel Compression Tester BBS: Bat Ball. The bar chart at right compares the field measurements of Batted-Ball Speed for bats with varying moments-of-inertia with laboratory measurements of BBS following the old F1890 and new F2219 test protocols. Equipment - Balls. I'll try to relay what I was told. The COR would be measured at .50. 650 lbs/0.25" tournament balls would result in BPF of 1.35!! The ball would be rated with a COR of .50 (referred to as a fifty COR ball). I know we are all lazy so here is what that article says. We could imagine an equation that optimizes the trampolines effectiveness. $59.99. plate mounted rigidly to a wall. measurement of 1.29!! Ball compression is a measure of a ball's hardness. This may not seem like a large and give you the most objective reviews of the hottest softball bats. The pivot is able to move back and forth (controlled by the computer software that runs the experiment) so that the exact impact location on the barrel can be specified. of three basic parts. 5. These softballs range in price from $8 to $15 apiece. As both of these terms imply, you are returning more Balls with a certain compression rating are required in most leagues. This ball also features the famous Hot Dot technology which prevents the reduction of compression in high heat, offering consistency to every player at bat. Key Features. | @BatDigest. return yr The top chart at right shows parameters for three softballs with the same weight (6.72oz) and compression (464lb), but varying COR values (0.41, 0.46, 0.51). Low performance bats produce lower calculated BBS values with high COR balls, and high performance bats produce slightly lower calculated BBS values with high COR balls. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 2570 >> Women must have .47 COR / 525 Compression ball. The cover is sometimes leather or more commonly a composite material. And a ball with a compression of 535 lbs/0.25" resulted in a BPF The Red Dot is a favorite among many players because of its quality construction, it can be used practice after practice, and take numerous hits without losing its integrity. In Simple terms, the COR can be defined Similar In the current landscape of many associations/leagues, there seems to be a misconception that bat compression is the end-all, be-all of performance. You no longer have to search from site to site to gather this information. Ultimate Evil. BBS: Bat Ball Speed (98 mph is the maximum bat ball speed allowed for a bat to be USA Softball Certified), Click here for the Non-Linear Bat Compression Thresholds PDF(as of 2/27/2023), Bat Tester Information can be found at www.barrelcompression.com. Age Groups 40+ and Abovemay use any bat Stamped 1.21 BPF Senior. As shown in the Figure 2 (Ball Hardness vs Ball Compression) for it. and high compression. The information as well as the data may completely be changed after you visit our website or any other provider. All rights reserved. However, like with other items, softballs have substantial variations that may not be apparent at first look, and those distinctions are crucial. 2021 Homechit.com. Diamond Zulu Classic Plus 12BYSC USSSA Slowpitch Softball - 1 Dozen by Diamond. Compression is measured, but not used for performance testing certification for a reason. The calculated BBS has been normalized to ball weight, but is not normalized to ball compression. Compressiondoesnt matter to me; Im hitting bombs either way. Another property of the ball that has as changes in the ball than the bats. Like many others on the list, it is rated at .44 COR, slightly less than the others, and 375 compression. If a test shows that it takes 375 pounds, then the ball is rated as 375 pound compression ball. performance we have performed some of these calculations for the various We cut through the B.S. The Center-of-Percussion (COP) was found not to coincide with the location on the bat barrel where Batted-Ball Speed is highest. Slow-pitch softball is more famous for recreational play. A second important discovery was that the old F1890 standard was not correctly predicting the difference between high performing bats and the extremely high performing composite bats that began appearing in 2001 and 2002. 10-15 feet! In terms of performance, Our research team searches out the best of everything so that you can confidently pick the perfect products and services for your needs. Including bat materials, overall . However, just because a ball is marked "slow-pitch" does not imply it complies with your league's regulations. WOMEN'S-USSSA or GSL stamped ClassicW ballor 44/400 core/compression balls. USSSA Classic W Slowpitch Softball - 1 Dozen by Champro. Women's fastpitch softball is played professionally and is an Olympic and summer sport. Data shows that the relative speed between bat and ball has a very large effect on the resulting elastic properties of the collision. var isnMonths = new Array("January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"); First off, the making of a softball vs. a baseball are disparate in their manufacturing processes. ball hardness starting in 1999 [ASA for the Ball to Reach the Pitcher's Mound (Pitcher Reaction Time) You must comprehend the specifications stated on the ball to verify that you are choosing the correct softball for gameplay in your league. The entire ball is then treated with the C-LOK adhesive and moisture barrier, a proprietary formula that completely seals the interior. While the F2219 tests don't exactly match field measurements, they do so much better than the F1890 test does. A softball's cover is made of one of two materials: natural or synthetic leather. function getFullYear(n) The Worth Launch 650 slow pitch softball is rated .50 COR with 650 pounds of compression. The ball passes through the light gates and strikes the bat, and the bat rapidly rotates away from the collision. Instead, the location of maximum BBS tends to vary from bat to bat. pieces of equipment, (see Figure 1 - Parts of a Softball). This means that a softball that is a 525 pound compression ball at 60 degrees may play like a 375 pound ball at 100 degrees. 1.2 BPF would measure over 1.30 BPF using the higher compression balls. That optimal compression is one factor in ball exit speeds, but far from the same. The bat is gripped at the 6-inch point on the handle in a pivot that is free to rotate after the ball hits the bat. Due to a lack of control on ball hardness, The dynamic relationship between the bat and ball is more complicated than the stiffness of the bat in the hoop direction. The Amateur Softball Association began regulating the performance of slow-pitch softball bats in 2000. Finally, tests a ball with a compression of 425 lbs/0.25" increased the BPF measurement var month = now.getMonth(); The pivot point of the bat was found to change during the swing, with the location at the moment of impact being approximately located at the wrist of the lower hand of the batter. an average swing speed of 60 mph (for an average player) and 80 mph (for Crafted from premium materials and designed for maximum performance, our softballs are the perfect way to stay on top of your game. COR/compression softball available from many of the ball manufacturers. The market has dried up for these high exitspeed balls with the notable exception of the Long-Haul Bombers Home Run derby competitions or local home run derbies, where distance is the goal. Consequently, today's "softballs" have more necessary to deform a softball in compression by 0.25". Our new SSUSA STOTE contains a vapor-barrier-lock, which provides for better performance in warmer weather conditions. deforming elastically and returning that elastic energy back to the ball. A fast-pitch softball has a faster bat speed than a slow-pitch softball. Softballs are rated based on two metrics - Coefficient Of Restitution (COR - pronounced like core) and compression. Rawlings 14-Inch Raised-Seam Trainer Softball For Pitchers 7. Especially "0":"")+min; Its made using a synthetic "super grip" outer cover which can take the constant batting of games and practice. determined what hardness level they will consider acceptable. 52 Core 300 Compression Softball - Best Sellers # Softballs must have a particular COR rating in most leagues. of the ball, your bat starts responding more to the bat-ball impact by As the ball exits the cannon, the sabot is caught by the arrestor plate, while the ball continues on and passes through a series of three light gates. Warmer temps will make the ball soft and mushier and performance is degraded. Around the age of 10, fast-pitch young players will begin utilizing a 12-inch ball. As we have come to learn the hard way, the outside temperature and the climate/elevation effect the balls performance. With increased durability and spin, you'll surely hit the BallBall on target every time.