If you came here searching for the best fastpitch softball bats this season, we got you covered.
To make a choice, it is imperative that you thoroughly analyze all the fastpitch bats to invest wisely.
In the coming sections of this article, we have discussed the key pros and cons of all the popular softball fastpitch bats.
And then drawn a comparison between their key features to help you find your desired bat.
Let’s scroll down:
Top 10 Best Fastpitch Softball Bats - 2023
Bat | Sweet Spot | Swing Weight | Performance | Durability | In-hand Feel | Total Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 10 | 09 | 10 | 09 | 48 | |
09 | 07 | 10 | 09 | 10 | 45 | |
09 | 09 | 09 | 06 | 10 | 43 | |
09 | 09 | 09 | 07 | 08 | 42 | |
10 | 07 | 09 | 07 | 09 | 42 | |
09 | 08 | 09 | 09 | 09 | 44 | |
09 | 08 | 09 | 08 | 10 | 44 | |
10 | 09 | 10 | 06 | 10 | 45 | |
10 | 06 | 10 | 06 | 10 | 42 | |
09 | 09 | 09 | 09 | 10 | 46 |
2023 Demarini Whisper FP
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Power Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: End-loaded
Color: Copper/White
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Immense pop with huge exits velocities
+ Has a sustainable build and better durability
+ Great in-hand feel
+ Does not vibrate upon mishits
+ Has a wide and generous sweet spot
+ Performs consistently and smoothly in the game
+ Produces a nice sound upon hitting the ball
REASONS TO AVOID
- Probably the most expensive fastpitch bat
- Heavy swing weight makes young players struggle with this bat
Demarini has introduced the new Whisper series in Fastpitch for the 2023 softball season. The bat excites power hitters looking for an end-loaded bat with heavy swing and big exit velocities.
Also, the experienced players throw pitches out of the field with minimum mishits due to a wide and generous sweet spot of the bat.
The new Demarini Whisper 2023 fastpitch bat is highly durable and performs consistently and smoothly. Also, the in-hand feel is great, and the vibration-dampening system is highly efficient.
Moreover, the Whisper 2023 produces a unique sound upon hitting, giving the elite players a sense of pleasure and confidence during rough practice on the field.
This bat specializes in power hitting and does nothing good to contact hitters. Also, the price of this bat is another hard pill to swallow.
2023 DeMarini CF FP
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Versatile and Power hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: End-loaded and balanced
Color: Blue/White
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Offers a wide and responsive sweet spot
+ Works great for both young and experienced players
+ Offers a smooth and comfortable grip
+ Has an excellent vibration-dampening system for comfortable hitting
REASONS TO AVOID
- No significant upgrade from the previous model
- The durability remains questionable
The new 2023 Demarini CF fastpitch softball has hit the market. However, do not expect some extraordinary upgrades from the previous batch, except for different graphics.
One unique thing about the bat is its inclusiveness in accommodating young and experienced players. So, drops 8 and 9 are end-loaded, whereas drops 10 and 11 are balanced.
Like all other Demarini bats, the CF has a nice feel. So, you can enjoy a great hitting session without getting any uncomfortable sensation in your hands, even upon mishits.
Also, the bat performs as great as the Easton Ghost Advanced, all thanks to its vast and generous sweet spot.
However, the durability of this Demarini bat is bad news. The CF 2023 has compromised longevity and thus fails to convince the players to keep investing in it over and over.
The fact that there is no considerable upgrade from the past batch makes players lose interest in the new model as it would only cost them a high amount.
2023 Rawlings Mantra 2.0
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Versatile and Contact hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: Balanced
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Offers comfortable and consistent performance
+ Has a wide and ultra-responsive sweet spot
+ Feels soft and comfortable in-hand feel
+ Provides great durability
+ Contains a highly efficient vibration-dampening system
REASONS TO AVOID
- No complaints except for it not being suitable for power hitters
The new 2023 Rawlings Mantra 2.0 series has taken over the 2022 batch.
The most notable change the makers have introduced in Mantra 2.0 is improved durability due to a unique handle design and a new lightweight end cap.
Also, the performance of the Mantra 2.0 is market-competitive, and can easily give tough time to the Demarini Prism Plus bat.
The wide and generous sweet spot ensures that the players do not miss any balls and enjoy their softball game with a consistent performance.
Its affordable price is another factor that equates Mantra 2.0 to 2023 Demarini Prism + bat. After all, the players love spending on a bat that is highly durable and does not cost them an arm and a leg.
However, the balanced swing weight of the bat does not work well for the power hitters looking to smash huge shots across the strike zone.
Also Check: Best Slowpitch Softball Bats
2023 DeMarini Prism+
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Versatile Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: Balanced
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Provides a comfortable in-hand feel and a solid grip
+ Costs an affordable price
+ Does not vibrate upon mishits
+ Delivers a consistent performance
+ Offers a vast sweet spot and huge pop
REASONS TO AVOID
- No considerable upgrade from the last iteration
- Durability problems need to be fixed
- Not suitable for power hitters
The 2023 Demarini Prism Plus softball FP bat replaces the 2022 model with only some graphic changes.
Like the previous model, the 2023 Prism Plus performs brilliantly due to its wide sweet spot and huge pop.
The bat offers a great practice session to contact hitters due to its balanced and lightweight swing.
Prism + offers a great in-hand feel like all the Demarini bats and does not vibrate on mishits due to a seamless energy transfer.
The 2023 Prism Plus competes with Mantra 2.0, however, its durability is not as great as that of Mantra 2.0.
Moreover, the bat does not impress elite power hitters looking for an end-loaded bat with heavy swing weight.
But Mantra 2.0 is an unbeaten choice for contact hitters who want to establish their softball game.
2023 Easton Ghost Unlimited
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Power & Versatile hitters
Build: One Piece
Construction: Composite
Swing Weight: Balanced & End-loaded
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Offers biggest sweet spot with incredibly low mishits
+ Suits both young and experienced players
+ Delivers a fine and smooth performance
+ Provides a comfortable in-hand feel
+ Has an efficient vibration-absorbing system
REASONS TO AVOID
- Durability needs to be improved further
- Highly over-priced for a single-piece bat
2023 Easton Ghost Unlimited is a single-piece composite softball fastpitch bat whose drop 10 is balanced, whereas, 8 and 9 have an end-loaded swing weight.
So, both contact hitters and power hitters love swinging this bat.
Also, the performance of Ghost Unlimited is consistent and smooth.
The extended sweet spot of the bat makes all the difference as it ensures a consistent hitting session with minimum to no mishits.
In-hand feel is also nice, and players get no hand stings during practice as all the vibrations are dampened efficiently.
Although the new soft knob material has improved the bat’s durability more than the previous model, it is far from impressing players with its longevity.
Also, the new Easton Ghost Unlimited charges an insane an of money for a single-piece bat. So, you can go for a cheaper Marucci Echo DMND alternate instead, if you are on a budget.
2023 Rawlings Mantra +
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Power Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: Composite
Swing Weight: End-loaded
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Has an excellent vibration-absorbing system
+ Does not let any vibrations reach the hand of the players
+ Offers a wide and ultra-responsive sweet spot
+ Provides an immense pop and high exit velocity
+ Delivers great performance with comfort and ease
REASONS TO AVOID
- The bat causes hand stings sometimes
- Durability needs improvement
The 2023 Rawlings Mantra + is a two-piece composite bat with an end-loaded swing that enables experienced players to unleash their softball game.
The bat has a big sweet spot which ensures a consistent performance so that no balls are missed.
Also, a seamless energy transfer does not let any vibrations cause hand sting to the player, even on mishits.
The performance of Mantra + is comparable to the Demarini Whisper 2023. However, the in-hand feel of the Whisper is far more comfortable and solid.
Another drawback of the bat is its questionable durability. The new Mantra + only breaks after a few initial uses and does not last a whole season or so.
The makers need to fix the durability issues in the upcoming batches if they want to make the bat value for money.
2023 Echo Alloy DMND & Composite
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Versatile Hitters
Build: One Piece
Construction: Composite & Alloy
Swing Weight: Balanced
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Comes with a wide and generous sweet spot
+ Delivers fine performance to contact players
+ Comes in both composite and alloy materials
+ Offers great durability
+ The bat is value for money
REASONS TO AVOID
- No red flag so far
Marucci has released its innovative 2023 Echo DMND batting line-up in composite and alloy materials.
So, the bat works great for young and emerging contact hitters who want an extended barrel without making the bat swing heavily.
Also, the huge sweet spot and big pop enable the contact hitters to practice their game easily. An excellent vibration-absorbing system does not let the players get any hand stings.
So, the contact hitters launch their game with a comfortable performance with Marucci 2023 Echo DMND FP softball bat.
The bat provides as comfortable and consistent a performance as the Easton Ghost Unlimited.
Also, the composite and alloy Marucci Echo DMND fastpitch bats offer great longevity. The bat's price is also significantly lower than the Easton Ghost Unlimited bat.
So, there is hardly any downside to the bat, and Echo DMND is worth the money you spend on it.
3 Best Fastpitch Softball Bats- 2022 (Relevant in 2023)
2022 Easton Ghost & Ghost Advanced
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Power Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: End-loaded
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Provides comfort to hands while hitting
+ Delivers an incredibly amazing performance
+ Produces an iconic sound upon hitting
+ Offers a huge and generous sweet spot
+ Excellent vibration-eliminating system
REASONS TO AVOID
- Durability issues need to be fixed
- Costs a high price
Easton Ghost and Easton Ghost Advanced are the proud productions of the Easton and offer great performance to power hitters due to end-loaded swing weight.
After all, a powerful and heavy swing is the most important feature that an experienced player looks for in a bat!
Ghost Advanced has the nicest in-hand feel of all the Easton bats. The vibration-dampening system eliminates all the vibrations and does not let them harm the bottom hand.
So, the elite power hitters unleash their rigorous hitting without sacrificing comfort during the game.
Also, the bat produces a signature sound that boosts the morale of the players practicing the game on the field.
However, the longevity of the Easton bats is bad news, and they fail to leave a mark in this domain as Demarini Whisper.
Easton must improve its durability in order to make their bats market-competitive.
Further, the price of Easton Ghost bats is fairly high. So, the players with a limited budget shift to the available alternatives.
2022 Slugger LXT FP
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Contact Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: Balanced
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Provides the most unbelievable performance
+ Offers a fabulous in-hand feel
+ Has a wide and generous sweet spot
+ Gives immense pop to the ball
+ Offers a non-slippery and comfortable grip
+ Gives off a unique sound upon hitting
REASONS TO AVOID
- May Crack after only a few hitting sessions
The 2022 Louisville Slugger LXT softball FP bat has dominated the season for its impeccable performance.
Also, the bat does not let any vibrations reach the hand of the hitter due to a smooth energy transfer. Furthermore, the bat offers the nicest in-hand feel, resulting in a comfortable practice session.
The perfectly balanced weight of the 2022 Louisville Slugger LXT fastpitch softball bat makes it an excellent choice for contact hitters looking for a lightweight swing.
Interestingly, the LXT 2022 produces a pleasant sound upon contact, adding to the confidence and focus of the contact hitters in the game.
One detestable thing about Slugger LXT is its awful longevity. There are many instances of the bat cracking early.
2022 Demarini CF is one of the top competitors of the bat in terms of performance, however, the CF is more durable than Slugger LXT.
2022 DeMarini CF FP
SPECIFICATIONS
Best For: Contact Hitters
Build: Two Piece
Construction: All Composite
Swing Weight: Balanced
TODAY'S BEST DEAL
REASONS TO BUY
+ Delivers a consistent performance even to beginners
+ Contains a wide and highly responsive sweet spot
+ Offers an effortless and lightweight swing
+ Has reliable durability
+ Costs a reasonable price
+ Offers great longevity
REASONS TO AVOID
- Does not offer powerful swing to experienced hitters
The 2022 Demarini CF bat dominated the softball fastpitch last year and is still highly in demand. The bat offers great performance for contact hitters.
Young players looking to practice their game love the lightweight swing of CF 2022. Like other Demarini bats, the 2022 CF offers the most likable in-hand feel and a non-slippery grip.
The CF gives tough competition to Ghost and Mantra 2.0 fastpitch bats.
Also, the bat contains an efficient system for seamless energy transfer which does not let any vibrations reach the hands of the player, even on mishits.
Thus, the contact hitters enjoy a consistent and comfortable game performance.
There is nothing to complain about the durability of the CF 2023.
Also, the bat costs a reasonable price, making it value for money. So, there is no risk in spending on this bat.
However, the 2022 CF does not accommodate elite power hitters like the 2023 CF. So, if you are an experienced player looking for an end-loaded bat with a heavy swing and insane pop, this bat is not for you.
Final Thoughts
You have just read the detailed reviews of the most popular fastpitch bats for 2023. We have also covered some bats from 2022 which are still relevant. If you have still not decided which bat to pick for your softball game this season, let us help you!
If you are an emerging player looking for a bat with a balanced and lightweight swing, Rawlings Mantra 2.0 is a great choice as it is one of the best-performing bats with magnificent durability.
You can also go for Prism + which has similar performance and price. However, it is less durable than Mantra 2.0.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced player looking for some end-loaded bat with heavy swing weight to complement your power hitting, you should go for the Demarini’s Whisper 2023. Whisper 2023 is one of the most advanced and innovative bats to come out of Demarini’s factory and has grabbed the fastpitch market during the first year of its release.
However, Whisper is highly expensive. So, you could consider some cheaper end-loaded two-piece bat for your power hitting such as the Demarini CF.
If your budget does not allow you to go for 2023 Demarini CF, you can go for the 2022 CF which is essentially the same bat with different graphics.
We hope you got your answer, and we have helped you spend your money on the right fastpitch bat!
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