With the baseball and softball seasons right around the corner, many players are looking for cheap softball bats and equipment.
Whether you’re looking for practice bats or a tournament special, no one wants to pay more than they have to. Keep reading to find some suggestions for where to find cheap softball bats for your player or team.
Cheap Softball Bats Aren’t Always Cheap
Of course, you can always start your search online. Trusted names like Miken, Easton, Rawlings, Wilson, DeMarini and more can be found via the internet.
However, you’ll want to use caution when buying online. You may find a great price, but if the bat doesn’t fit you, or doesn’t fit your child, then maybe that great deal wasn’t so great after all.
Some retailers are pretty good about returns, but it can be a real hassle to return a bat. You have to package it up again, take it to the post office or local ground delivery office. It’s a lot of hassle that many people just don’t get to. Then that cheap softball bat find isn’t so cheap.
Worse, you’re stuck with a piece of equipment that’s going to sit in your closet taking up valuable space, until a few years from now it goes on your garage sale table for $1.
Why Not Try Your Local Sporting Goods Store First?
A good idea is to visit your local sporting goods store. You may not find cheap softball bats, but you do have an advantage locally that you won’t find online.
You can try out several bats! See what you like the best, and what fits you or your child best.
And sometimes a local retailer will surprise you with special sales, resulting in cheap softball bats or other softball equipment.
Wooden Bats Versus Aluminum Bats
Did you know that Major League Baseball allows only wooden bats? If you have major league aspirations, then you’ll want to use a wooden bat.
Wooden bats, however, are heavier and denser. They will not hit a ball as far, and require a lot more arm and wrist strength.
For this reason, most softball players like aluminum bats. These come in a wide variety of weights and lengths, and you’ll be sure to find the one that meets your needs.
How to Fit a Bat Properly
Any bat will not do. You want to take into consideration the length and weight of the bat.
Set the bat tip on the ground. Let your arms hang down at your side. You want the top of the bat to reach about your wrist.
For children, this can vary depending upon the size of the child. For example, a 10 year old child will most likely need a bat that is in the neighborhood of 28 – 29 inches long, although if he is unusually tall or short, this will vary.
In addition, you’ll want to look at cheap softball bats since youngsters tend to outgrow them.
Next is the weight of the bat. Take a gentle practice swing. Can you (or your child) swing it comfortably, or do you feel strain on your wrists? If so, try a lighter bat.
Bear in mind that a heavier bat has more power but if you’re putting stress on your wrists to make a swing, you won’t be hitting home runs. Instead you’ll probably need a wrist splint!
A lighter bat means more speed, and thus more hitting power. A lighter bat also means better control, which can allow the player to hit the ball harder and farther.
Want to Avoid Sporting Goods Store Prices?
Okay, you’ve chosen a bat, now what?
Don’t want to pay sporting goods store prices? Still looking for cheap softball bats? Why not take note of the bat you like and do a little comparison shopping online?
Many times you can find things online at much reduced prices. Do some browsing online. Enter your softball bat make and model number in the search engine and see what you can find.
Often times online retailers will offer better prices than the local stores along with additional discounts like free shipping, clearance prices, and even one-of-a-kind discounts. Some players have been able to find their chosen equipment at significant savings online.
Before you buy, search for a coupon. Many retailers have coupons available online, both for internet purchases and local buys. These coupons can often save as much as 25 – 50 percent!
With a little research and ingenuity, you can find cheap softball bats that will suit your players perfectly.
