Are you stuck in deciding between a one-piece and a two-piece slowpitch softball bat? Are you unable to differentiate the two of them? If yes, then this post is for you! We are going to compare and distinguish between these bats from one another.
The question of which of these two kinds are superior remains unanswered until we get into the discussion of the characteristics of each one. We have listed these characteristics below and have done a comparison amongst the two.
Material
One-piece slowpitch softball bats are made up of wood, aluminum or composite material which makes these bats stiff and less flex. On the other hand, the handle and barrel of two-piece slowpitch softball bats are bonded together which renders them much flex and less stiffer. New designs of these bats involve the connecting of composite handle with an aluminum barrel (known as Hybrid).
This flex-stiff argument is considered redundant by many of the authors and researchers in the field. They claim that one-piece bats are also capable of flexing and that two-piece bats thanks to the modern technology can be made equally stiff.
Technology
In a two-piece bat, researchers in the field have come up with some interesting and innovative technologies that help you in hitting harder.
More and more innovation can bring about a bat that has all the optimal features needed to make one perfect bat. We consider that the connecting point between the two pieces of a two-piece bat needs more attention.
Sweet Spot
Sweet spot is that spot on your barrel which gives you the best and the farthest hits. Players want the sweet spots to be as large as possible so that they have a better chance of hitting distant hits.
A two-piece slowpitch softball bat has a larger sweet spot which makes it a favorite of most of the contact hitter out there. One-piece one has a comparatively smaller sweet spot.
Swing and Power
In a two piece bat you tend to get a lot of flex thereby giving you more swing and power. It’s like you put in a little energy and you get more from your bat.
One-piece bat as mentioned above is not flexible so in order to create the right swing and generate enough power, you need to put in all of your energy. You cannot expect to get the best shots without putting in extra momentum. But once you have put in all your strength none of your energy will be lost.
According to Easton, their two-piece bats maximize performance and comfort ability. You do not feel the overall body tension while hitting these bats.
One-piece ones on the other hand return with an impact. This impact feature is loved by some players as they are able to understand which position and strength combination gave them the farthest hit.
Weight and Size
A two-piece slowpitch softball bat is true to its weight and size. You are able to get the optimal sweet spot and weight distribution in such a bat. Manufacturers get the liberty to choose the ideal swing weight and balance.
Sizes of both these one-piece and two-piece bats are similar. Different brands produce different bats with size ranging from 24 ounce to 28 ounce. These bats have a 2 ¼ inches barrel diameter. They are 34 inches in length.
Vibration
One-piece design is less flex due to its rigid handles and a stiffer body it has greater vibration and your hands feel a stinging sensation in their hands while hitting. In a two-piece bat, vibrations are much less and reduced.
Strength
It is a known fact that one-piece bats are much stronger. The reasons behind this strength are their one-piece, consistent and flex free design. These bats are considered durable and long-lasting.
The greater the flex, the higher is the chance of your bat breaking or cracking. Two-piece bats are therefore not very strong and durable.
Cost
When we go in the market to purchase these bats we observe that two piece slowpitch softball bats are rather expensive as compared to their one piece counterparts. A lot more goes into the designing and construction of these two-piece bats.
Which one should I go for?
To be honest with you, there is no right and wrong.The decision of choosing the one that is right for you completely depends on your personal preferences and your experience with a number of bats.
As far as this post is concerned, from the above detailed discussion we reach the conclusion that if your hands stings during a hit or you get the perfect swing with your two-piece bat thena two-piece slowpitch softball should be your first option.
If you are a newbie to the game or a power hitter or you are looking for much lesser vibration then we suggest you to purchase a one-piece slowpitch softball bat.