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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.
Mantra: Uses its balanced construction with an ultra-light end-cap (-10, -11, -12 drops) that helps players improve BAT SWING SPEED to generate good EXIT VELOCITY.
Winner: DeMarini CF
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.
Mantra: Balanced bat with its ultra-light end-cap allows Contact Hitters and Slap Hitters to generate good BAT SWING SPEED. More importantly, the Rawlings Mantra light feel allows hitters to make mid-pitch adjustments to drive balls hard.
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.
Mantra: Uses Rawlings’ 3-Step Inner Barrel with a 15% thinner outer barrel that results in a larger, more forgiving SWEET SPOT, turning more “misses” into solid line drives.
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.
Mantra: Uses its F2 Collar connection to dampen feedback from MIS-HITS, improving VIBRATION CONTROL as energy moves into the handle, creating a fast, smooth, low-sting feel on contact.
WINNER: Rawlings Mantra
BREAK-IN PERIOD
CF: Does not reguire a BREAK-IN PERIOD - it’s “hot” out of wrapper.
Mantra: Requires a lengthy break-in period of 3+ BP sessions (150-200 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”.
Mantra: Has only 65% Positive Reviews but it is a small of a total Reviews; most of the Negative/Neutral Reviews cited DURABILITY as a major issue with some complaints of early BAT FATIGUE.
Winner: DeMarini CF by a lot!!!
PRICE (MSRP)
CF: Has a budget-friendlier price of $319.95.
Mantra: Has a mid-tier price of $399.99.
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 longer term performance PLUS 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.