2014 Easton Softball Bats: Raw Power – Balance vs End Load
It’s that time of year: New 2014 Easton Softball Bats
In early 2014 Easton will release a batch of new Balanced and End Loaded bats in both USSSA, ASA, Senior Softball, and one new bat with both an ASA and USSSA stamp.
There are so many models. What is the difference between them?
- Two different types of composite in the handle: SIC Black Carbon is used is the handle of the more expensive models, while IMX composite is used in the handles of the slightly less expensive versions.
- IMX composite is used in the barrel on ALL of the composite barreled slowpitch bats
- Balanced vs End Load: Easily determine whether the bat you are looking at has an evenly balanced swing weight if the model number starts with a “B”, end loaded model numbers begin with an “L”.
- ASA versus USSSA: 2014 Easton Slow Pitch bats approved for ASA are Black and Green, while USSSA approved bats are Black and Red. The Blue and Black bat is approved for both USSSA and ASA.
Balanced 2014 Easton Slow Pitch Bat Models
- B1.0 – Balanced, Two-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, USSSA Approved
- B2.0 – Balanced, One-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, USSSA Approved
- B3.0 – Balanced, Two-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, ASA Approved
- B4.0 – Balanced, One-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, ASA Appoved
- BSR – Balanced, One-Piece, IMX Composite Handle, Senior Softball Approved
End Loaded 2014 Easton Slow Pitch Bat Models
- L1.0 – End Load, Two-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, USSSA Approved
- L2.0 – End Load, One-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, USSSA Approved (Brian Wegman Signature Model)
- L3.0 – End Load, Two-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, ASA Approved
- L4.0 – End Load, One-Piece, SIC Composite Handle, ASA Approved (Brett Helmer Signature Model)
- L5.0 – End Load, One-Piece, IMX Composite Handle, USSSA Approved
- L6.0 – End Load, One-Piece, IMX Composite Handle, ASA Approved
- LX.0 – End Load, One-Piece, IMX Composite Handle, ASA and USSSA Approved
In reality, there is not a whole lot of difference between the 2014 Easton Slowpitch softball bat models. Just ask yourself if you need a balanced bat to help you swing through the hitting zone quicker, or are you a power hitter that can swing the bat quickly? You should look into a more end-loaded bat to help hit the ball farther, due to more mass towards the end of the bat.
The two most exciting bats, I think, are the “Cross Stamp” ASA and USSSA approved LX.0 and the Senior Softball Bat (which is the first 1.21 BPF bat Easton has ever produced). The LX.0 will let you buy one bat and be able to use it at almost any softball field, no matter what sanctioning body is running the games that day.