The softball bats are made of carbon fiber and reinforced with plastic.If you want to maximize performance, experts recommend a break-in period for any new bat.The method approved by the American Softball Association involves hitting at half speed from a tee and gradually working up to full-speed swings for a total of 200 reps.
Step 1: Make sure your bat is broken.
There is no need for a break-in period for fast pitch softball bats that are 100 percent alloy.Before a bat reaches optimum performance, carbon fibers need to be loosened.During one break-in session, the fibers can be loosened.Many fast pitch players hesitate to use a new bat in the middle of the season because they think the break-in process is too time consuming.It shouldn't take more time than a practice session to break in a new bat.A fresh bat won't perform as well as one that's been broken in correctly if you skip the process of breaking in your bat.
Step 2: You can use real leather softballs.
It's important to use high quality, regulation-size softballs with leather skin and good stitching.If you want to break it in at a batting cage, you should go to a cage that uses real balls instead of rubber balls.Your bat can be damaged by the pock-marked balls.Don't break your bat in the cold.The softballs should be warm.The bat can be damaged by a cold ball.
Step 3: Hit balls from a batting tee.
Break in a bat requires hitting a certain number of balls at half the maximum impact force before moving on to fast pitch hitting.The easiest way to bat at half capacity is to hit off a tee.If you don't already have a tee, buy one at a sporting goods store and keep it as part of your practice equipment.You could hit half-speed pitches or slow pitches instead of using a tee.It might not be good for your batting form.Hitting half-speed pitches can mess with your form and timing.
Step 4: The bat needs to be 4 inch between swings.
The entire barrel will be broken if the bat is moved between swings.The diameter of the bat is marked so you know how much to turn it.During the breaking-in process, it's important to keep the bat rotating so it doesn't get damaged or neglected.
Step 5: You can take 100 swings.
Hit about 100 balls from a tee using the correct form.You will be hitting the ball with less power than normal.The work of breaking in your bat will begin with the first 100 swings.Someone will help you set up new balls on the tee to make the process go faster.If you want, you can take more than 100 swings.The bat needs to be broken in gradually, so don't do less than 100.The bat can be damaged by moving to a full-speed swing too quickly.Try to line up the bat so the brand name is facing you instead of hitting with different parts.The quicker you hit the bat in one spot, the quicker it will break.
Step 6: Hit 50 short tosses.
If you have someone throw a pitch from a short distance, aim to take about 50 swings this way.The process of breaking in the bat requires a slightly faster speed and harder contact.Batters often use short lobs to work on their form.You can swing 50 times this way with your coach or friend.If no one is available to pitch, you can use a machine.You don't have to change your form to make contact if you adjust it to pitch slowly and without an arch.If you want to break in your bat, hitting reps are a great way to do it.
Step 7: Hit 50 pitches.
Hit 50 regular fast pitches at full speed to finish breaking in your bat.As you break the bat in, you'll be able to hit at full capacity, because your hits don't travel as far or as fast.When you're comfortable with how your bat is performing, keep hitting fast pitches.The bat should be broken after 50 pitches.Use it during batting practice a few times to make sure you're used to the way it hits, if you aren't willing to use it in a game.