Softball Baseball FAQ

Recent rulings have prohibited Little League players from using certain composite bats for safety reasons. Most Little Leagues currently only allow composite-barreled bats measuring 2-1/4 inches across, with up to 32-inch-long barrels that meet Bat Performance Factor (BPF) standards and Accelerated Break-In (ABI) procedures. Most top manufacturers of baseball bats carry a complete line of Little League-approved baseball bats. But before you purchase a bat for your slugger, always check with your League. The bats should be labeled for the league they are to be used in. For a complete list of Little League approved bats, check the Little League website.

At Dugout Sports we start off with a chart that goes off of your players height. It gives us a general length that your player should be in and from there we will work with your player to help figure out the exact fit for them, by allowing them to swing a few different options in their size range and evaluating which bat they are able to swing best. Then we can take into account different weights of the bat, end loaded vs. balanced and see what style of bat looks best for the players swing.

A 1-piece bat is just what it says, it is a 1-piece bat vs a bat that has a connection piece creating a 2-piece bat. The biggest difference between the two is the stiffness of the barrel. A 1-piece bat is going to be much stiffer, once the ball makes contact with your bat there will be less bend in the bat. A 2-piece bat will have a flex at contact, once the ball makes contact with the bat there will be a flex that creates a whipping effect when you are hitting the ball.

Composite softball baseball bats are made from a carbon fiber polymer which is normally a fiberglass mix. The material used is generally so light that it allows for even distribution in the softball baseball bat creating a much more balanced feel and a lighter swing weight. Because of how light it is allowing the manufactures to stretch more creating a longer barrel wall, without adding to the weight of the softball baseball bat at all.

Alloy softball baseball bats, also referred to as aluminum or metal bats, have been around much longer than composite bats. They are made out of different variations of alloy depending on the manufacture. The biggest assets to a alloy bat is their durability and the price point. They will not break as easily as a composite bat and because it is metal vs a composite material, they will be at a lower price point.

BBCOR stands for Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution. The ruling went into effect for college on January 1, 2011 and for high school on January 1, 2012. A BBCOR bat is a big barrel softball baseball bat that measures 2 5/8” with a minus 3 ounce difference from the length of the bat and is made by an approved bat licensee. The BBCOR mark must be permanently stamped on the softball baseball bat for easy recognition.

The BBCOR approved softball baseball bats range from 31 inches to 34 inches in length and are required for play at the high school and college levels.

There is a performance difference between these two bat qualifications, the USSSA Bat is designed to perform at a higher level than the USA Baseball bat is. If your player competes at a select or tournament level, he will be using a USSSA Baseball bat, however if he plays at a Little League he will be required to use the USA Baseball Bat.

The main difference between a mid-range glove and a pro glove is the leather quality and stabilizers on the inside of the glove. The pro level gloves are going to have a higher quality leather that will last longer through the abuse of playing for a extended period of time. A mid-range glove is going to have a softer leather that will not last as long as a pro leather glove will, but will be softer off the shelf and easier to use for younger athletes.

Batting helmets include interior padding. If it isn’t removable, spray the inside of the helmet and padding thoroughly with a sports gear sanitizing spray, taking special care to clean the crown of the helmet and inside the crevices. Allow to fully air dry.

Dugout Sports works hard to bring you all of the latest and greatest baseball gear from the top brands in the industry. Everything from the classics we all grew up with, to the newest kids on the block, you’ll find all of your favorite baseball equipment brands right here at Dugout Sports. So get to know your brand, find the one that fits your needs, and gear up for this season!

Wilson
Wilson has been revolutionizing the baseball equipment world for as long as most of us can remember. Known for their advanced baseball and softball gloves, including the innovative Wilson A2000 and A2K Baseball Glove lines, Wilson also develops some of the most practical, durable, and widely used baseball gear, accessories, protective equipment, and catchers gear.

Their complete dominance of the baseball and softball glove has made Wilson the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball, and earned them the trust of college, high school, and youth players everywhere. Seasoned pros like Dustin Pedroia, David Wright, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera, Roy Oswalt, Brett Myers, Carlos Ruiz, Freddy Sanchez, Ike Davis, and Brian Wilson all trust and wear Wilson baseball gloves on the field all season long.

DeMarini
With a focus on creating some of the most advanced, powerful, versatile, and best of all, accessible baseball bats in the game today, DeMarini has carved out a trusted reputation for excellence and performance in the baseball gear world. The first company to design a multi-wall bat, DeMarini baseball bats exploded the baseball equipment industry by giving amateur players the ability to hit like pros with the largest sweet spots available, and they’ve only followed up that success with line after line of more popular sluggers.

Today, DeMarini develops the strongest, and highest performing league-approved baseball and softball bats for Little League, high school, college, and pro players, continually shocking the industry with new innovations and technologies. They’ve also branched out, developing accessories and baseball equipment bags that deliver unmatched durability and practicality for players on the move. The DeMarini Vendetta Baseball Equipment Bag andVoodoo Baseball Backpack are some of the most popular baseball bags in the dugout today, and combine style and substance to give travelling players exactly what they’re looking for.

Mizuno
Mizuno has taken the baseball equipment world by storm, delivering unique performance and advanced athletic technologies with full lines of baseball gear from gloves to catcher?s equipment. Mizuno?s player-first approach to the game, along with their enduring commitment to excellence, dedication to developing the game with continued innovation, has set them apart from the pack, and made them baseball royalty amongst pro and amateurs alike.

With a focus on master craftsmanship, premium materials, and revolutionary designs, Mizuno baseball gloves and softball gloves have quickly become some of the most interesting, player-preferred gloves around.

Behind the bag, Mizuno catcher’s gear is improving the game with lightweight, breathable, and impact absorbing designs, that keep players cool, sharp, and safe, while assisting in-game action with advanced technologies and practical features.

At the plate, Mizuno?s baseball bats, softball bats, batting gloves, and helmets get the job done right with the unique style and performance that they?ve been known for since they first opened their doors in 1906!

Rawlings
For over 120 years, Rawlings has been synonymous with baseball. They’ve developed and created some of the most memorable baseball gear the game has ever known, giving generation after generation of players pro-quality stuff that not only performs, but stands the test of time.

As the sponsor of the MLB’s Gold Glove Award, Rawlings is probably most well known for their huge and successful lines of baseball and softball gloves. Loved by everyone from local sandlot stars to pro ball players like Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter, Rawlings baseball gloves like their Playmaker Series, Heart of the Hide, Pro Preferred, and Gold Glove Gamer can be found at diamonds all over the world. Classically styled, with top-choice leather, and advanced performance features, Rawlings gloves are second to none in the field, on the mound, or behind the bag.

Easton
Easton has been producing full lines of high-quality, high-performance baseball equipment for decades, emphasizing innovation and accessibility in every piece of baseball gear they put their name on. Youth players, weekend warriors, and pros alike have trusted Easton to suit them up for the diamond with baseball gloves, softball gloves, bats, catchers gear, protective equipment, gear bags, and accessories, and the company has only continued to grow and expand to cover every aspect of the game.

At the plate, Easton baseball and softball bats are known to pack a punch with durable alloys, strong carbon and ballistic materials, and huge sweet spots. Their BBCOR approved bats are used throughout high school and college leagues, while their sweetly styled and performance-built slowpitch and fastpitch softball bats dominate the game.

When it comes to playing the field, Easton baseball gloves are some of the most affordable, high-quality gloves on the market. Durably constructed from strong U.S. steer hide, and enhanced with cushioning palm pads, moisture wicking technology, and position-specific patterns, youth and adult players alike rely on Easton to snag anything that’s hit their way.

Louisville Slugger
The one constant through all of the years has been baseball! But in baseball, the one constant down through the ages has been Louisville Slugger. For over 125 years, Sluggers have been swung by kids in backyards, college players dreaming of the majors, dad’s passing on the game to their kids, and pros making baseball history. All this time, Louisville Slugger has grown with the game and its players, racking up more titles, shattering more records, and setting more precedents than any other bat in the world.

Today, 60% of all MLB players swing Louisville Sluggers when they step up to the plate. Their lines of approved BBCOR TPX bats are found across high schools and colleges from coast to coast, and their youth bats are a staple of Little League games every season. But Louisville Slugger is so much more than bats these days.

Developing advanced, pro-level baseball gear and gloves, the company has extended its reach around the diamond. Utilizing professional-grade materials, innovative technologies, and position-specific patterns, TPX gloves are perfect for serious players of all ages.

Typical turnaround time for any cloth that is being screen printed on is 2 weeks after the order is approved and paid for.

Typical turnaround time for any cloth that is being embroidered is 2 weeks after the order is approved and paid for.

Yes, when it comes to screen printing shirts there is a minimum order quantity of 12 shirts per logo. For embroidered items we have a 6-piece minimum order quantity.

No, Dugout Sports does not screenprint on items that we do not purchase. There are too many variables during the printing process that can damage a garment requiring it to have to be replaced so we do not screenprint on outside cloth.

Yes, Dugout Sports does embroider on outside items, however we are not a wholesale embroidery shop so many times your items will be less expensive if purchased and embroidered by Dugout Sports vs. bringing your own items to us.

Softball governing organizations draw up and enforce general rules for your league or club to follow, such as rules of play, and safety. Some governing bodies may test softball equipment for certification. Softball has governing bodies at the international, national, and local levels. While the national and local bodies tend to go by international rules, they can modify them to suit their needs. Of the many softball governing bodies, about five of them stand out: The International Softball Federation (ISF), the American Softball Association (ASA), the National Softball Association (NSA), the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), and the Independent Softball Association (ISA). What follows are very brief descriptions of each.

International Softball Federation (ISF) is the worldwide softball governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It organizes a number of world fast pitch and slow pitch championships, and it sanctions local regional championships. The body provides technical support for regional games, and official playing rules for international competitions.

USA Softball (previously Amateur Softball Association) (ASA), also called Amateur Softball Association of America, is the national governing body for softball in the US. Founded in 1933, it’s based in Oklahoma City.

National Softball Association (NSA) – Created in 1982 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, this is a complete service softball organization that oversees various levels of amateur competitions for youth and adults.

United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) was established in 1968, and was originally called the United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association. It changed its name to include all of its sports programs. The body organizes various levels of amateur softball competitions for youth and adults across the country.

Independent Softball Association (ISA) – Founded in 1984 in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The body organizes, sanctions, and governs various levels of amateur league and tournament competitions.

The most common are ASA softball and USSSA softball.

The answer to this will depend on what age group the player is in. For 10u players it is 35 feet, for 12u players it is 40 feet then from 14u on it is 43 feet.

13 years and up.

The major difference is going to be the competition between the two. Tournament ball is going to be more competitive than what you will experience at a league. The other major difference is going to be the season. Tournament baseball/softball basically lasts yearlong with a couple of weeklong breaks around holidays. League baseball/softball typically only lasts a couple of months per season (fall and spring).

Metal cleats provide the best traction because they can dig into the dirt or grass more efficiently than molded cleats.

Maple is one of the most durable wood bats on the market.