If your league is like most leagues in Colorado, you probably receive a list of illegal bats at the start of each softball season. Maybe the list is handed out at your manager’s meeting, or maybe it’s posted on your softball league’s website—either way, you need to keep that list in mind when selecting a bat.
Why are there illegal bats?
There are two main reasons softball leagues issue illegal bat lists. The first is for the protection of the players, mainly the shooter. Every day, bat companies are inventing new technologies that are essentially equipping players with bats that more closely resemble artillery pitchers than traditional softball bats. This puts the caster, in particular, in danger. Depending on your league rules, the pitcher will be about 40-50 feet from the mound after the pitch. (Also, depending on your league’s rules, the pitcher may have 4 or 5 beers the night after the pitch.) The strength of some of the players, combined with new technology in the bats, put the pitcher in a very precarious position as a direct line screamed at his head. And don’t forget that the pitcher isn’t the only one who has to worry about his safety, the infielders, particularly third basemen and shortstops, when righties are up, and second basemen and first basemen, with lefties, too. they can take a big lump. take a hot headshot from some of these tech-enhanced bats.
The second reason behind issuing illegal bats is the fairness of the game. Recreational softball should not be won by the team that can pay the most for bats, and rest assured, the newer the technology, the higher the price.
Millions of people play recreational softball so they can get out and have fun for an hour or so a week. If a team hits home run after home run into the lake on the other side of the fence, the game will become tedious and boring. Restricting the power behind the bats will keep more balls in the park and make the game more fun for both teams.
These are the two main reasons why recreational softball leagues issue an illegal bat list. Before you buy a bat, be sure to check your league’s list of illegal bats.
