In the past, softball players could purchase a softball bat that was ready to use right out of the box. With the advances in modern softball bat technology, some new bat models now require a break process. Bats that are created from composite materials will need a break-in process, while alloy or aluminum bats will be ready to go at the time of 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 label whether it is made of alloy or composite materials. If in doubt ask the person selling you the bat what type 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 be more effective sooner. You’ll need a few things: your new composite softball bat, real softballs (not rubber or softer practice balls), another person, a softball or baseball field, and a pitching screen (optional).

To start, have the other person sit on 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 over the plate to you. Use your new softball bat to swing every pitch. Use about half your normal swing power with each swing, and rotate the bat a quarter inch in your hands between swings. 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’d like. Hit 50 to 100 pitches this way, rotating the cylinder of the bat between each hit. It’s best to concentrate on making contact with the pitch on the compound barrel each time. You may want to take a break or toss your partner for the next round of tosses.

For step two, the person who chooses to pitch must now stand up and try to duplicate a softball pitch seen in a game. Move the launcher and screen if it is being used for the actual launch rubber. The pitcher will throw the ball to the batter over home plate. Now the batter, still using the new composite bat, will swing the ball with full-power shots. As in step one; the batter must twist the bat a quarter inch in his hands before hitting again. Use the bat to hit fifty to one hundred pitches at full power. At this point, you should feel the most effective launch from the barrel of this bat. However, if the bat doesn’t feel completely broken, it’s acceptable to repeat step two until you feel game ready. When your bat is fully adapted, you should stop using it in batting practice sessions and save it for the game. This will slow down the inevitable barrel breakage of the composite bat. Use this process to properly start the break-in process. Happy gaming!