Are you in the market for a girls’ softball bat while trying to stick to a budget of under $100? Perhaps times are a bit tight, or maybe you’re unsure if your daughter is fully committed to softball. It could be that you simply don’t see the point in shelling out big bucks for a fastpitch softball bat. We understand. Softball can be a costly sport, but there are ways to cut down on expenses.
Among the priciest items in any softball player’s gear bag is the softball bat. It’s not uncommon for players to carry multiple bats worth anywhere from $400 to $1000 in their bags. Some might have a primary bat and a practice bat, while others may have different bats for various hitting situations. However, this doesn’t have to be the case for every player.
In this article, we’ll provide you with our selection of the best softball bats priced under $100. When searching for a bat in this price range, it’s essential to understand that you may have to compromise on certain features. You won’t achieve the same performance as you would with a high-end $350+ Easton Ghost, but that doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a subpar product either. There are some excellent bats available for under $100 that can deliver great results in the batter’s box. Ultimately, your swing mechanics play a significant role, and with proper technique, even a budget-friendly bat can help you achieve impressive hits.
The Best Girls Softball Bats Under $100 (at time of writing)
-The Louisville Proven is the only fully composite bat on our list.
-Designed for easy and quick swings, the 2022 Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat by Louisville Slugger is an excellent choice for young hitters aiming to showcase their skills at the plate.
-This bat features a full composite barrel design that enhances its performance.
-With a one-piece construction, it offers a rigid swing and a satisfying feel upon contact with the ball.
-The bat’s 100% composite barrel is engineered to have a sweet spot that generates extra power.
-Proven is the lightest bat in the Slugger lineup, with a (-13) weight drop, making it exceptionally easy to swing.
-Its ultra-balanced design is intended to help you elevate your game to the next level.
-Axe’s best value fastpitch bat is primed for high-performance hitting, featuring a premium barrel and a well-balanced swing weight designed for speed.
-The LP1™ Alloy barrel is meticulously engineered for top-notch performance and long-lasting durability.
-With the HyperWhip™ End Cap, unnecessary weight is eliminated from the non-hitting side of the bat, resulting in a faster swing, a larger barrel, and an expanded sweet spot.
-The patented Axe™ Handle enhances grip stability, allowing for faster swings with improved control and more powerful, consistent hits.
-This bat boasts a 2-1/4” barrel size and holds approvals from USA Softball (ASA), USSSA, NSA, ISA, ISF, NCAA, and NFHS.
-It’s also endorsed by 2x National Player of the Year Danielle Lawrie.
-Easton’s Ghost Youth bat delivers high-performance with ALX50 military-grade aluminum construction, ensuring both durability and power.
-Designed with a lightweight -11 length-to-weight ratio, it’s perfect for younger players looking to swing with ease and generate more power on contact.
-The bat features a 2 1/4 inch barrel diameter and is crafted from a 1-Piece ALX50 Alloy.
-Its Concave End Cap enhances overall performance, while the All-Sports Grip ensures a comfortable and secure hold.
-This bat is certified for use in USA (ASA), USSSA (Fastpitch Only), NSA, ISA, and WBSC (ISF) leagues.
-The Rawlings 2022 Eclipse fastpitch softball bat comes with an extended barrel, providing a larger sweet spot for driving more balls into the gaps.
-With a -12 length-to-weight ratio, it’s a lightweight and easy-to-handle choice.
-Crafted as a one-piece alloy bat, it ensures both durability and performance.
-Constructed with Hyper-Lite Alloy, it strikes a balance between strength and lightweight design.
-The X-Tended Sweet Spot in this bat enhances your hitting capabilities.
-Approved for play in ASA, USSSA, NSA, ISA, and ISF leagues.
BONUS: One girl’s softball bat under $125 that we recommend!
As of writing, this awesome bat is under $120 on Amazon, however we don’t know how long it will be that price. This is another one that we would most definitely recommend if you can pick up under the $125 price tag!
Tips For Finding Softball Bat Deals
Now that we’ve shown you our favorite bats under $100 (and yes, one under $125), we would also like to share some advice with you.
First: Always check Amazon Warehouse Deals. They are usually under “More Buying Choices” when you are looking at the listing on Amazon. You can find some great deals that save you money over buying brand new. The biggest caveat with this is the warranty. Personally, I’m not too worried about warranty on a sub $100 bat, but that’s just me. If warranty is a game changer to you, you may want to avoid a warehouse deal as I’m not sure how bat warranty works with that. As you can see in this photo, you can sometimes save a few bucks going this route! In this case you can get the bat for $44.46 instead of $54.99. In most cases that I’ve purchased warehouse deals, there is usually only minor box damage and the item is perfect. The few cases that it wasn’t, I was able to easily send it back and get a refund. Do make sure that the seller is Amazon Warehouse since some 3rd party sellers may sell used bats as well. I would personally avoid those sellers.
Another recommendation that we would like to make is to search for a used bat. I know plenty of people that buy and sell their fastpitch softball bats through Facebook Marketplace and online softball groups. Many times you can find a really nice deal on a bat that a player has outgrown. You can probably get a better bat for the money than the ones that we have listed below, however you do need to thoroughly inspect the bat before buying. The last thing you need is to buy someone else’s broken bat. If there are cracks, rattles or dents then I would just avoid it.
Finding the right size and type of softball bat
Lastly, make sure you are buying the correct bat size. Here are a few things you need to consider when looking for the right softball bat.
-Length
-Weight
-League Association
-Bat Type
Length
When buying a bat, if you get a bat that is too long it can sometimes be very difficult for your child to swing. On the opposite end, you don’t want a bat that is too short for your child either. A good rule of thumb to remember is that a child under 60 pounds will usually do best with a bat between 26″-29″ and a child over 60 pounds will do best with a bat between 28″-32″. For a child just starting out, if they are in the 3′-3’4″ height range then 26″ is a good starting length for their first bat. For every 4-5″ that they grow, you should add 1″ to their bat length.
Weight
After you have figured out the proper length bat for you child, the next thing you should consider is weight of the bat. A bat that is too heavy will cause a much slower “draggy” swing with poor control that results in bad contact or all out strikes. When looking at bats, you will notice that many bats won’t show the actual weight but instead will show the drop weight. The drop weight is the difference between the length of the bat and the weight of the bat. In other words LENGTH – WEIGHT = DROP WEIGHT. For example, a bat that is 27″ and a weight of 17oz would have a drop weight of -10. For 6U and 8U players you will most likely be looking at bats with a (-13.5)-(-10) drop with the consideration that their bat is between 24″-29″.
League Association
Every league has their own rules regarding what is and isn’t allowed pertaining to equipment. When it comes to bats, the manufacturer stamps the bats with the logo of whatever certification that bat has. If you’re not sure if the bat you’re looking at is approved for your league then you should check with the coaches or read the league’s rule book to make sure the bat you are considering is allowed before purchasing it.
Bat Type
There are 3 main types of softball bats, when it comes to the material they are made out of. Alloy bats, Composite bats and Hybrids bats which are basically a mix of the two with the handle being composite and the barrels being alloy. Here we will show a few pros and cons of each material to help you decide which bat will work best for your child.
–Alloy Pros
Usually much less expensive than composite bats
Ready to use at purchase, no break in required
Often outlasts a composite bat since they usually don’t crack (instead they dent). A composite bat is unusable once cracked.
–Alloy Cons
Alloy usually has a smaller sweet spot and less pop than a composite bat
–Composite Pros
Less sting on your hands from mis-hit balls due to the reduced vibration in these bats
Larger sweet spot and more pop than an alloy bat
–Composite Cons
Bats require a break-in period
More expensive than alloy bats
– Hybrid Pros
Usually cost less than a full composite bat
No break in period
Less sting and vibration due to the composite handle
Longer barrel life than a composite (due to the barrel end being alloy)
–Hybrid Cons
Costs more than a full alloy bat
Handle can be susceptible to cracking
Not always legal in every league
Hopefully, we have managed to help you in your search for a budget priced softball bat. Now go out and Play Ball!
