The Clincher Softball is composed of long-lasting TruTech horsehide leather and has a kapok center that can withstand the wear and tear of outdoor softball games. Its solid construction prevents the ball from deteriorating over time as it comes into contact with asphalt, concrete, and bats. Additionally, the non-exposed seam design makes it comfortable and effortless to grip, catch, and throw.
The Clincher Softball is built with a durable TruTech horsehide leather shell and a steam-welded kapok center that helps the ball withstand the wear and tear of outdoor softball games. The non-exposed seam design enhances grip, catching, and throwing, making it easier to handle. The ball’s overall durability and performance make it an excellent choice for city leagues and schoolyard games where playing on grass fields is not always an option.
Experienced players and older students will find it easy to handle the 12” and 16” softballs due to their firmness. The absence of cushioning allows for a better grip, resulting in more powerful throws. Moreover, the non-exposed seams are hand-sewn to improve accuracy on all throws.
Contents Inside
Top 5 Best Bats for Clincher Softball
1. DeBeer Clincher Slowpitch Softball
DeBeer has released a new Clincher Slowpitch Softball that is specifically designed for use with 12″, 14″, and 16″ Clincher Softballs. Constructed with 7046 composites, the Clincher ball offers high recoil power to provide optimal performance. This bat has a 40% more slender shell than single divider technology giving you the most ideal presentation contrasted with the single divider market. The smooth new blue and grey will truly make your bat stand apart at the plate or in the enclosure. As usual, DeBeer has put forth an extraordinary attempt to keep their bats first in class and has indeed done as such. Assuming you need to expand your exhibition and yield in your Clincher association, this is certainly a decision for you.
To achieve maximum performance with Clincher softballs, it is recommended to use thin-walled, end-loaded bats. Fortunately, DeBeer has created the new Clincher to meet those requirements. This softball is approved for play in various organizations such as ASA, USSSA, NSA, ISA, and ISF.
Key Features
- 7046 Alloy
- ProTAC Grip
- BPF 1.20
- Polished Finish
- End Load Design
- High Recoil Power Plug
- Designed for 12”, 14” & 16” Clincher Balls
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: One Year
- Approved For Play In ASA, USSSA, NSA, ISF, and ISA
Specifications
- Handle: 34/36” oz, 34/38” oz
- Barrel: 2 ¼”
- Material: Aluminum
- Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
- Color: White, Blue, Grey
- Deals: Bundle & Save
- Brand: DeBeer
Pros
- It’s a Monster
- It will destroy the mush ball
Cons
- It feels much heavier than it is
- It takes a little while to get used to
Recommendations
It is recommended to use these bats with 12″, 14″, and 16″ Clincher softballs or “mushball”. Using this bat with these balls can result in noticeable improvements. However, it is important to ensure that you can handle the weight and generate enough bat speed before selecting a bat. It is not recommended to use this bat with any other type of ball.
Learn More: Best Slowpitch Softball Bats For Cold Weather
2. Mizuno Crush-End Load (USSSA) Slowpitch Softball Bat
The Mizuno Crush-End Load (USSSA) Slowpitch Softball Bat has been improved to be even more powerful than before. It features a smaller 12″ barrel for a more compact hitting surface. Constructed with Black Onyx carbon and a triple-wall barrel, the 2020 Crush is highly durable and requires a shorter break-in period. A thin micro-whip grip gives you a better feel, while 2-piece link technology reduces vibrations to the hands to give you the amazing feel of solid contact every at-bat. Engineered details like an optimized end cap create a booming sound and an increased sweet spot. End loaded swing weight for added distance.
Key Features
- Black Onyx carbon: Increased durability with a shorter break-in period.
- End-loaded swing weight: End-loaded swing weight for maximum distance.
- 2-Piece link: Significantly reduces vibrations to the hands to give you the amazing feel of solid contact every at-bat.
- Cylinder seaming: Allows for consistent performance and durability across the barrel.
- Triple wall: Gives you higher peak performance right out of the wrapper with a larger sweet spot for more power and forgiveness.
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: One Year
- Approved For Play In: 1.20 BPF USSSA, ISA, NSA
Specifications
- Handle: 34/26” oz
- Barrel Length: 13”
- Barrel Diameter: 2 ¼”
- Drop: -8
- Package Weight: 1.81 Pounds
- Package Dimensions: 35 x 2.7 x 2.6 inches
- Model: 340537.9223.02.3426
- Material: Composite
- Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
- Color: Charcoal, Neon, Orange
- Swing Weight: End Loaded
- Age Group: Unisex-Adult
- Brand: Mizuno
Pros
- The bat feels great.
- Super gloss texture
- It has a lot of pop.
Cons
- Nothing as such.
Recommendations
The Mizuno Crush-End Load (USSSA) Slowpitch Softball Bat features a springboard surface that’s hot straight out of the wrapper, making it game-ready from day one. Its design effectively minimizes vibration in the hands, providing a comfortable hitting experience. The end-loaded construction delivers additional power with a lethal sweet spot. Furthermore, the bat has a shorter break-in period, ensuring durability and making it ready to use from the first swing. We highly recommend this bat for its excellent features.
Learn More: Best Slowpitch Softball Bats For Cold Weather
3. Miken Freak Primo Balanced ASA Slowpitch Softball Bat
The Miken Freak Primo Balanced ASA Slowpitch Softball Bat is designed to provide an exceptional hitting experience with its balanced weight distribution and remarkable pop. It features our breakthrough Tetra-Core technology which increases compression for greater responsiveness of the barrel. As a result, you’ll feel the ball jump off the barrel every swing. In addition, it combines a balanced end load with our sensi-flex handle to provide the perfect flex to generate optimal swing speed through the zone.
Key Features
- Made in the USA
- 4-Piece composite construction
- 100% carbon fiber barrel
- Sensi-flex Handle: Provides the perfect flex to generate optimal swing speed through the zone
- F2P Barrel Flex Technology & Revolutionary 100 COMP Composite Fibers: Delivers legendary performance and durability
- Breakthrough Tetra-Core Technology: Increases compression for greater responsiveness of the barrel
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: One Year
- Approved For Play-In: All ASA Leagues
Specifications
- Bat Weight: 26” oz
- Barrel Length: 12”
- Barrel Diameter: 2.25”
- Product Weight: 1.5 Pounds
- Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
- Model: MPRIBA-3-26
- Material: Composite
- Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
- Color: Black
- Swing Weight: Balanced
- Age Group: Unisex-Adult
- Brand: Miken
Pros
- Balanced
- It has great pop
- Great swing feel
Cons
- As per a few users, It isn’t long-lasting.
Recommendations
This Miken Freak Primo bat is crafted with top-quality composite material and is made in the USA. Its balanced weight distribution ensures a comfortable swing and superior feel, while also delivering unmatched pop. This bat is an excellent choice for dominating in USA leagues and is highly recommended.
Learn More: Best Composite Softball Bats For 8-Year-Old
4. Dudley Doom Dan Smith USSSA Slowpitch Softball Bat
Introducing the latest addition to the Dudley family, the Doom Dan Smith USSSA Slowpitch Softball Bat. This top-performing bat is equipped with the new USSSA certification mark and is designed to withstand an on-field bat compression of 240 lbs, giving you maximum power on the field. This model is the Dan Smith Team Edition with MicroPly Technology and a dynamic max end load.
Key Features
- Compact Smaller Shell
- Two-Piece Design
- Dan Smith Progressive Max Power Load: The heavier the bat, the heavier the landlord.
- Microply Technology: This new technology is the placement of thinner Microply Technology performance layers in combination with thicker carbon layers for durability to enhance the feel and sweet spot of every Dudley Doom.
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: One Year
- Approved For Play In USSSA, NSA, ISA & all senior softball league
Specifications
- Bat Weight: 26” oz, 27” oz, 28” oz
- Barrel Length: 13”
- Barrel Diameter: 2 ¼”
- Package Weight: 2 Pounds
- Package Dimensions: 35.12 x 2.76 x 2.6 inches
- Model: 49176
- Material: Composite
- Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
- Color: White, Red
- Swing Weight: End-Loaded
- Age Group: Unisex-Adult
- Brand: Dudley
Pros
- Durable
- Nice sweet spot
- Thicker carbon layers
Cons
- A little bit heavier
Recommendations
The Dudley Doom Dan Smith slowpitch softball bat features maximum power end weighting and the older, hotter USSSA stamp that will remain legal for the foreseeable future. This bat is easy to handle and use.
Learn More: Best Non Composite Softball Bats
5. Worth Sick 454 Resmondo Max Endload ASA Slow Pitch Softball Bat
The Worth Sick 454 Resmondo Max Endload ASA Slow Pitch Softball Bat is exclusively approved for ASA use. It is considered one of the strongest bats in the slow pitch market with a full Resmondo Load. This bat is capable of delivering impressive batted ball exit speeds that will benefit players of all levels, from professionals to weekend warriors. Worth’s licensed 454 innovation expands the perfect balance two inches, giving the biggest perfect balance in the business. It is a 100% composite plan with HMF innovation. That implies more strands of a composite can be woven along with a more modest breadth which will extraordinarily work on the sturdiness of the bat. This bat is made in the USA.
Key Features
- Made in the U.S.A.
- New ASA Stamp
- Max Endload Swing Weight
- One-Piece 100% Composite Construction
- 454 Technology: Extends the Sweet Spot 2” in both Directions
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: One Year
- Approved For Play-In: ASA only
Specifications
- Bat Weight: 34/30” oz
- Barrel Length: 14.5”
- Barrel Diameter: 2 ¼”
- Model: Worth Legit Resmondo
- Material: Composite
- Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
- Color: White, Red
- Swing Weight: Maxload
- Deals: Bundle & Save
- Age Group: Unisex-Adult
- Brand: Worth
Pros
- Has a Huge sweet spot
- Amazing colors and graphics
- Very reasonable price
- It has a really nice thin handle
Cons
- It is legal only for ASA.
Recommendations
After around 100 swings, this bat delivers great pop. It may not be hot right out of the wrapper, but it will give you a powerful hitting experience. With this bat, hitting bombs will be a breeze like never before.
12” Vs 16” Clincher Softball
According to Stan, the main difference between a 12″ and a 16″ softball is quite apparent. A 12″ softball weighs 6 ounces and is denser at .36 g/cc, whereas a 16″ ball weighs 9 ounces and has a density of .22 g/cc. These differences primarily consist of variations in weight and density.
The principle difference between 12″ and 16″ softballs is quite evident. A 12″ softball weighs 6 oz and is denser at .36 g/cc, while a 16″ ball weighs 9 oz and has a density of .22 g/cc. When it comes to hitting, the dynamic energy equation of ½m ‘ v2 (½ mass ‘ speed squared) determines that bat speed equals distance in 12″ softball. However, with 16″ balls, their weight, and softness absorb a significant amount of energy, which can make swinging a light bat feel ineffective upon contact, resulting in a weak hit. Deductively talking, energy is lost through durability when you hit a ball. Energy is additionally lost through distortion. At the point when you hit a 16″ ball you smash or distort it and the ball springs back. A 12″ ball also disfigures yet given its tight thickness, it twists less and springs back speedier. A 16″ ball is moreover “more extensive” and less streamlined in its flight. Thus it is more delicate to wind conditions and its flight example will smooth out close to the furthest limit of the flight versus the decent allegorical bend of a 12″ ball or a baseball.
It’s worth noting that the weight of the person hitting the ball is more important in 16″ softball because in any collision, both the ball and the hitter are impacted. Upon contact, the hitter is pushed back slightly (mass x acceleration formula). The greater the hitter’s mass, the less they are pushed back and more power is transferred to the ball. This explains why larger individuals who appear to swing more slowly can still hit the ball far. With less “give,” there is less loss of speed.
To summarize, in 16″ ball takeoff speed and distance is less subject to bat speed than in 12″. It is more reliant upon the mass of the bat joined with bat speed and the mass of the person.
The above discoveries pose a challenge as the trend in the bat industry is towards lighter and more flexible bats that provide a trampoline effect. This trend is effective in the motor/static impact world of 12″ softball where a light bat can be swung quickly, and the bat rebounds with a trampoline effect, resulting in the ball going far. However, this trend is counterproductive in 16″ softball as the ball is 3 oz heavier and gives more on impact. Therefore, the technology of the current C-405 featherweight “wonderbat” is not suitable for the 16″ game.
Clincher Shortage Brings out a new Brand For Clincher Softball
Due to a shortage of clincher softballs, a new brand has emerged to fill the gap. The North Side Sportmart and MC Mages have limited stock, and Herman’s is completely sold out.
Ron Onesti at Softball City said he could get them but in limited quantities.
If this is Chicago, the game should be 16” and the ball should be a Clincher.
Since the 1930s, the deBeer Co. of Albany, N.Y. has been producing the unique Clincher ball, but many imitators have come and gone since then. Despite this, 16″ softball enthusiasts in Chicago and its surrounding communities have remained loyal to the Clincher – a specially sewn horsehide cover with a kapok center.
However, with the 300-group Old Style Chicago Classic set for Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park, a mix of conditions has placed the Clincher hard to find. This has made an inconsistent inventory of all things considered outdoor supplies stores and has caused somewhere around one provider to equip groups with an alternate brand of ball and deBeer to transport a new, unique corded 16” ball to Chicago a year early. Various brands, new centers, and 16” fanatics don’t generally warmly embrace such changes, regardless of how unpretentious.
The reason behind the change occurred when the US imposed a trade embargo against Haiti following the overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in September. As a result, deBeer’s ball manufacturing facility in Haiti was left in limbo. Additionally, a fire at a storage facility in Haiti caused a significant loss of inventory for the company.
Bounce Campbell, deBeer’s public deals and advancement chief, said the organization had issues providing the Chicago market with enough Clinchers to overcome the season.
Onesti, who supplies softball gear to Chicago-region park regions and associations, says, ”I never figured world legislative issues would influence my little store.”
Campbell says the organization expected to present the F16-G Clincher in 1993 yet felt free to put the polyurethane-cored ball in the commercial center to satisfy a need.
He acknowledges that there have been varying reviews. As is the case with any sport, advancements in technology have altered the game. In 16″ softball, aluminum bats and even gloves have made an appearance, and the recently manufactured core produces a harder ball intended to travel further when combined with aluminum.
However, to idealists, wooden bats and exposed hands are signs of the game. The Clincher’s kapok center is named for the wool-like substance that comes from a Far Eastern tree. Its mix of hard strength and springiness makes part of the special feel of the 16” game. The ball relaxes after a couple of innings, and the game’s system changes also.
Joe Hoffman, agent for Palos Sports in Palos Hills, has had 200 dozen Clinchers on delay purchase since August 1991.
He admits that there have been mixed reviews. Like in any sport, technological advancements have changed the game. In 16″ softball, aluminum bats and gloves have become prevalent, and the newly developed core creates a harder ball designed to achieve greater distance when paired with aluminum.
”It’s the best substitute in 20 years,” says Hoffman, ”yet it’s anything but a Clincher. The issue with this ball is it’s excessively delicate. It gets soft.”
Hoffman and other enthusiasts are now concerned that deBeer may abandon the traditional kapok Clincher in favor of the newly manufactured core ball, which is rumored to have the potential to travel up to 50 feet further.
But Campbell demands deBeer will make the two balls at its new plant in Venezuela, and that they’re paying attention to objections about the new ball. Shockingly, he adds, with higher work costs in Venezuela, the cost of the two sorts of Clincher will probably increase one year from now.
As Hoffman says, ”Nobody can make it like deBeer. They’ve cornered the market.”
Conclusion
Many leagues have a regular season with weekly games and their own playoff systems. National leagues such as the NSA host various tournaments. Teams can qualify for the Clincher Softball World Series by performing well in NSA tournaments. As local leagues may have slight variations in rules, the NSA World Series has its own set of rules. Therefore, selecting the appropriate Clincher Softball bat is crucial for professional Softball players. This article provides detailed information on the Best Clincher Softball Bats.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is 16” Softball a Chicago thing?
The softball played in Chicago has a diameter of 16 inches, which is larger compared to the standard 12-inch softball. This size difference can be a challenge for those who are used to playing with the smaller ball. The 16-inch ball can be hard to throw accurately and hitting it from a distance can also be a challenge.
2. What oz bat should I use?
For players looking to hit the ball farther, heavier bats in the 28 oz to 30 oz range are recommended. On the other hand, smaller or average-sized players or those looking for more bat speed should opt for bats in the 25 to 27 oz range. Slow pitch bats typically measure 34 inches in length and weigh between 26 to 30 ounces.
3. How much does a softball bat cost?
Bats priced between $199 and $299 are a good option as they offer good performance at an affordable price. This price range is often the most popular. Bats that cost around $100 are usually made with basic aluminum alloy and although they are decent, they do not provide the same level of performance or durability as more expensive bats.
Reference:
- 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
- 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
- Smith, L. M. (2008). Progress in measuring the performance of baseball and softball bats. Sports Technology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19346182.2008.9648486
- Smith, L. M., & Cruz, C. M. (2008). Identifying altered softball bats and their effect on performance. Sports Technology, 1(4–5), 196–201. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19346182.2008.9648473
