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FASTPITCH SOFTBALL BAT REVIEWS
POWER & EXIT VELOCITY
CF: Has a long reputation as a great performing Fastpitch Softball Bat. Its two-piece, balanced construction (-10, -11, -12 drops) allows CONTACT HITTERS and SLAP HITTERS to efficiently transfer their natural strength to generate POWER to the ball. And the DeMarini CF’s responsive Paraflex+ Composite Barrel’s “trampoline effect” can result in outstanding EXIT VELOCITY, especially if the hitter is strong.
Kryo Thundernight: Its two-piece, balanced design (-10, -11, -12 drops) helps players improve their BAT SWING SPEED and combined with the “trampoline effect” created with its GO-EX1 Barrel System (gapped wall and inner discs) the Kryo Thundernight has near-top level EXIT VELOCITY.
Winner: Louisville Slugger Kryo Thundernight
BAT SWING and CONTROL
CF: Exceptionally balanced construction (-10, -11, -12 drops) swings light, enabling true CONTACT HITTERS and SLAP HITTERS to not only generate great BAT SWING SPEED, its light feel makes it easier to CONTROL in the hitting zone, enhancing the hitter’s ability to adjust their swing mid-pitch.
Kryo Thundernight: Its balanced feel swings light, enabling strong Contact Hitters and Contact hitters to generate good BAAT SWING SPEED with good Control in the hitting zone.
Winner: DeMarini CF
SWEET SPOT & MIS-HITS
CF: Its Paraflex+ Composite Barrel has a large, forgiving SWEET SPOT minimizing MIS-HITS, enabling Contact Hitters and Slap Hitters to hit off-center pitches hard or placing slap swings with CONTROL.
Kryo Thundernight: Has a GO-EX1 Barrel System that uses a gapped-wall and internal discs system, and is combined with Louisville Slugger’s XPND End Cap to create a very large SWEET SPOT. This reduces the number of MIS-HITS and enables Contact Hitters and Slap Hitters to hit more balls hard.
Winner: TIE
FEEL & VIBRATION CONTROL
CF: Fastpitch softball bat handle-too-barrel connection creates a “soft feel” and helps to reduce “sting” on MIS-HITS providing very good VIBRATION CONTROL.
Kryo Thundernight: VTX Connection System (the connection between the handle and the barrel) provides very good VIBRATION CONTROL.
WINNER: Louisville Slugger Kryo Thundernight
BREAK-IN PERIOD
CF: Does not reguire a BREAK-IN PERIOD - it’s “hot” out of wrapper.
Kryo Thundernight: Requires a short break-in period: one BP (about 50 swings).
Winner: DeMarini CF
DURABILITY & BAT FATIGUE
CF: Has 82% Positive Reviews with a strong reputation for its DURABILITY and long performance - 1-2 years before it loses it “pop”.
Kryo Thundernight: Has 77% Positive Reviews with most of the Negative/Neutral Reviews citing DURABILITY as a major issue. The Louisville Slugger Kryo Thundernight fastpitch softball bat also experiences BAT FATIGUE after about 1 1/2 years of use.
Winner: DeMarini CF
PRICE (MSRP)
CF: Has a budget-friendlier price of $319.95.
Kryo Thundernight: Has a near-top price tag of $449.95.
Winner: DeMarini CF.
BOTTOM LINE - The Demarini CF is an outstanding Fastpitch Softball Bat with a well-deserved reputation for performance - its light “swing” (in -10, -11, -12 drops) greatly enhances Contact Hitters’ and Slap Hitters’ BAT CONTROL in the hitting zone making them a tough hitter to strikeout. Given its DURABILITY and DeMarini CF’s relatively low price, this remains the TOP CHOICE for Contact Hitters and Slap Hitters.
***Certifications: Warranty: Verify Certifications and review all warranty terms, restrictions, and return policies with both the manufacturer and retailer before purchase. Restrictions may include temperature limitations and other usage conditions.
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***Disclaimer: All data and analysis are provided "AS IS" basedon available information at the time of compilation. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. CoachKnowsFastpitch and its contributors disclaim all warranties and assume no liability for decisions made using this information. Users should independently evaluate products through demos, peer feedback, and direct testing.