Top 10 Best Bats for 52 300 Balls in 2023 Reviews & Guide

In 2018, when SSUSA launched their new senior softball, I saw it as a great chance to talk about two important characteristics of softballs: COR and Compression. One notable difference between the production of softballs and baseballs is their manufacturing process. Softballs have a diameter of approximately 12 inches, a circumference of about 3.8 inches, and a weight of around 7 ounces. They are made up of an inner polyurethane ball-core synthetic polymer, which is then covered with a stitched and glued cover. The cover can be made of leather or a composite material, unlike baseballs.

Softballs are assessed based on two measurements: COR (Coefficient Of Restitution) and Compression. COR measures the ball’s bounce. A higher COR indicates a more bouncy ball, which generally travels farther. COR represents the percentage of speed reduction for a ball bouncing off a wall. For instance, if a ball is thrown at a wall at 80 miles per hour and bounces off at 40 miles per hour, the speed has decreased significantly, and the ball would be rated with a COR of 0.50. If your association uses a 0.44 COR ball, the speed of bouncing off would be around 35 miles per hour.

Softball compression refers to the hardness of a softball. A higher compression level indicates a harder ball, which typically travels further. Compression is measured by the number of pounds of force required to compress different sides of the ball by a quarter of an inch. If a test shows that it takes 375 pounds of force to compress the ball by a quarter of an inch, the ball is rated as a 375-pound compression ball. The ASA (Amateur Softball Association) has approved two levels of compression – 375 pounds and 525 pounds, with 375-pound balls being softer than 525-pound ones. The ASA rounds up the pressure rating during testing. For instance, if a test shows that it only takes 325 pounds of force to achieve the quarter-inch compression, the ball will be rated as a 375 pressure ball. This means that your association may be playing with a ball rated as 375 pressure, but it is actually softer than a true 375 pressure ball due to the rounding up.

Testing has highlighted two main concerns regarding softball COR, pressure, and on-field performance. Firstly, switching from a .47 COR, 525 compression ball to a .44 COR, 375 compression ball can decrease performance by up to 6%. All other factors being equal, this means that hitting a 305-foot home run using a .47 COR, 525 compression ball would result in a 290-foot fly out using a .44 COR, 375 compression ball. Secondly, reductions in pressure have a significantly greater impact on on-field performance than reductions in COR.

As a player, it’s important to be aware of the impact of weather on the pressure of a softball. Research has revealed that at 100 degrees, a regular softball loses 200 pounds of pressure compared to a similar softball at 60 degrees. This means that a softball rated as a 525-pound pressure ball at 60 degrees may perform like a 375-pound ball at 100 degrees. Additionally, clouds, rain, and humidity also affect ball pressure. At 70 degrees and sunny, balls have lower pressure than if it were 70 degrees and cloudy. Leather balls tend to absorb more moisture in wet conditions than synthetic balls. This usually increases the pressure and level of play to some extent, but once the ball becomes too heavy from absorbing too much water, performance will decrease.

Keep these factors in mind when deciding which bat to use and determining your approach for each at-bat. If it’s hot and humid, it may be better to aim for a base hit rather than going for a home run.

The MacGregor X52RE ASA Slowpitch 12″ Softball is an excellent option available in the market. It serves as a good choice for both team practice and games. These softballs are being used for team practice and as such has been hit several times without damage to cover or loss of performance.  You will not go wrong with this purchase.

The Dudley 12″ Thunder ZN Hycon ASA Composite Slowpitch Softball features Dudley’s exclusive HYCON Softball Core, which maintains consistent performance in both hot and cold weather conditions, demonstrating Dudley’s commitment to the sport of softball. This ball meets the new 50/300 ASA specification for slowpitch softball and includes a high-performance poly center and Dudley’s patented composite cover, providing excellent feel and playability.

The Franklin Sports Official Size Slowpitch Tournament Softballs, measuring 12 inches, is an ideal choice for Slow Pitch tournament play. Featuring a solid PU core with a durable Syntex synthetic cover in vibrant yellow cover for better visibility and flat seams for less air friction, you can feel confident in your performance.

The Rawlings C12RYLAH Official ASA Dream Seam Fastpitch Softballs are considered the best in the world due to their unique dream seam. If your team desires the specific sound and feel of a leather ball, then the Rawlings Dream Seam ASA/NFHS Fastpitch Softball is the ideal choice. Made of high-thickness cork with a Pro Leather Cover, these softballs offer the performance you request while giving you a cheaper game ball choice that is approved for ASA and NFHS competition. Pitchers can make it move better.

The Evil BP 12″ Softballs with .52 COR and 300 compression ratings are highly durable and long-lasting. This brand is known for producing exceptional quality products. Synthetic Leather cover Designed to give you 1000s of game-quality Batting Practice swings without damaging your Composite bats. 2 color cover allows you to monitor the ball spin. Black stitching. I definitely like how you can track the ball.

The CHAMPRO ASA 12″ Slow Pitch Softballs with Durahide Cover are designed as 12-pack game softballs with a .52 COR rating and ASA certification. These softballs feature a durable durahide cover that ensures long-lasting use. Additionally, the optic yellow color helps with ball tracking and visibility. Stitched with flat red seams to minimize wind resistance. All have a solid polyurethane core, .52 COR, and a 300 Compression rating. These softballs are sold by the dozen and get 12 softballs in one order.

Worth’s SYCO Gold Dot Extreme 12″ slowpitch softball with Classic M stitching is USSSA-approved for play. Worth’s Gold Dot softballs feature a 3-piece technology that has an inner layer that gives this softball consistent spin and durability. Added to these softballs are the C-LOK adhesive and moisture barrier and then the SYCO composite leather cover for more durability.

The question of how to hit 52 300 softballs has been a popular topic in the baseball world in recent years. Softball is a popular variation of baseball, and the Allen Sports Association League (ASA) is one of the most well-known softball leagues. Previously, the league used softballs with a .44 COR and 375 compressions, but in the fall of 2012, the rules were modified to allow the use of the new 52 300 softballs. This change had a significant impact on the ASA circuit, raising the important question of how to hit these softballs out of the park.

Hitting a home run in softball is often overlooked, and it is more challenging than one might think. Unlike baseball, the ASA slowpitch softball has a slower pace, making it harder to hit a home run even if you are a powerful hitter. Even someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger would struggle to hit a softball as far as a baseball.

In softball, the key element to hitting the ball further is bat speed. The power of your swing does not determine the distance of the ball, but rather the speed of your swing. By increasing your swing speed, you can significantly increase the distance of your hits. Look for bats that are lightweight, aerodynamic, and offer minimal resistance, enabling you to have a lightning-fast swing. With such a bat, hitting the .52/300 ball for miles will be a piece of cake.

It’s important to understand that the ball’s compression rating is the key factor that determines the performance of senior bats. Additionally, the ball’s bounciness, also known as its Coefficient of Restitution or COR, is equally important. The 52 300 ball is a great match for senior bats since it provides exceptional performance while also prioritizing safety.

The most popular softball size is the 12-inch ball, which is used for both fast-pitch and slow-pitch games. In fast-pitch youth leagues, players typically start using a 12-inch ball around the age of ten. In some co-ed slow-pitch leagues, an 11-inch ball is used when women or girls bat, and a 12-inch ball is used when men or boys bat.

It is commonly believed that softballs with a COR of 44 or 47 and a compression value of 400lbs or 450lbs perform the best. Softballs with a compression value of 525lbs or higher are rarely used as they are considered too hot for senior bats.

Reference:

1. Biesen, E. D., & Smith, L. M. (2007). Describing the plastic deformation of aluminium softball bats. Sports Engineering, 10(4), 185–193.  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02933570
2. Russell, D. W. (2010). Swing Weights of Baseball and Softball Bats. The Physics Teacher, 48(7), 471–474.  https://aapt.scitation.org/doi/10.1119/1.3488193
3. Smith, L. M. (2008a). Progress in measuring the performance of baseball and softball bats. Sports Technology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19346182.2008.9648486
4. Smith, L. M. (2008b). Progress in measuring the performance of baseball and softball bats. Sports Technology, 1(6), 291–299.  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19346182.2008.9648486