Synergy Crystal Fastpitch

Synergy Crystal Fastpitch

COMPOSITE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL BATS?

i'm looking into getting another new composite bat and was wondering what kinds i should look into.

i just bought an Easton 2009 Synergy Crystal (the pink/red one).
what do you think of this bat? how has it worked out for you and how would you compare it to other bats?

I've always loved Easton's and Louisville Sluggers Composite bats.

Are you saying you want a different bat? One thing I suggest is to make sure you have "broken in" your new composite bat. They are not meant to be at their potential right out of the package.

Composite bats have a much longer break-in period than aluminum bats and hitting machine balls will not do it. If you plan on breaking in these bats in the cages, you need to use real baseballs. Composite bats should not be used in cold weather; temperatures less than 70 degrees they can easily break, as many are finding out. If broken in correctly and used correctly, you will get so much more out of your composite bat than the aluminum or hybrids of past years.

There are several Pros and Cons (and misconceptions) about composite bats, but players and coaches need to have the correct information before making a judgment. After I explained the proper break-in and use of composites to a few of our high school players, they were amazed at the difference. At first, the ball will sound like it came off a wooden bat, which was another complaint in many reviews, but with proper effort and care you can break them in to the point where it sounds more like a rifle than wood. Players, coaches and parents need to know what they are buying. Without proper knowledge, they are just buying a $300 or $400 Bat, but with the correct knowledge they could be buying $300 Lightning Rod. Composite bats give a whole lot more forgiveness for the imperfect swing, and have the potential to make the average hitter a clean-up hitter.

So best way to break in a composite bat?

Most commonly you just need a lot of good BP with the bat. You have to have between 100 to 200 hits to break it in. Some bats take longer than others. You need to be hitting goods balls, leather cover solid softballs. Hitting off a tee will not break it in very effectively. You need to be hitting live balls thrown 40mph or better. A machine works good if it is set up to throw real softballs. Each time you make good contact you need to turn the barrel about 1/8 turn so you break in the bat evenly. This essentially "wakes up" the fibers underneath the surface.

I have not tried the new Synergy "Crystal" but have had many Easton Stealth's and Synergy's used on my team (I coach HS softball) as well as many Louisville Slugger Catalysts. Your Easton model is a top of the line and if it is the right size/weight ratio for you, then the problem is either the bat not being broken in or you the hitter. At the end of the day it's the hitter that does the job. There is a lot of info on other ways to break in a bat and I strongly suggest you do that before using yours in a game and judging it.