In the past, softball players could purchase a softball bat that was ready to use right out of the box. With advances in modern softball bat technology, some newer models of bats now require a resting process. Bats that are created from composite materials will need a tailoring process, while alloy or aluminum bats will be ready to use upon purchase. It is often difficult to tell the difference between an alloy/aluminum bat and a composite bat.
The bat must be clearly marked on the tag whether it is made of alloy or composite materials. If in doubt, ask the person who sells you the bat what kind of bat it is. If your bat is composite, it’s time to start the break-in process. In simple terms, using your bat is the most effective way to break it in, but we’ll go into more detail on how to do it in a way that makes your bat last longer and more effective sooner. You will need a few things: your new composite softball bat, real softballs (not rubber or softer training balls), another person, a softball or baseball field, and a pitching screen (optional).
To start, have the other person sit in a chair or bucket in front of the pitcher’s mound and behind the pitching screen if you choose to use one. Have the person gently throw the pitches to you over the plate. Use your new softball bat to swing at every pitch. Use about half your normal swing power with each swing, and rotate the bat a quarter of an inch in your hands between each swing. The rotation of the bat will allow the barrel of the bat to break evenly. If you only hit one side of the bat during the break-in process, then your bat will break on that side faster than you would like. Hit fifty to one hundred pitches this way, rotating the barrel of the bat between each swing. It is best to focus on making contact with the tone in the compound barrel each time. You may want to take a break or pitch to your partner for the next round of pitches.
For step two, the person choosing to pitch must now stand up and try to duplicate a softball pitch seen in a game. Move the pitcher and screen if it is being used for the actual pitching rubber. The pitcher will deliver the ball to the batter over home plate. Now the hitter, still using the new composite bat, will swing at the ball with full power shots. As in step one; the batter must rotate the bat a quarter of an inch in his hands before batting again. Use the bat to hit between fifty and one hundred pitches at full power. At this point, the barrel launch of this bat should feel more effective. However, if the bat does not feel completely broken in, it is acceptable to repeat step two until it feels game ready. When your bat is fully broken in, you should stop using it in batting practice sessions and save it for the game. This will slow down the inevitable breakage of the composite bat barrel. Use this process to successfully start the break-in process. Happy gaming!