Equipment

ASA Testing & Certification Program
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) has taken great strides to protect the integrity of the sport. Each year, the ASA’s equipment testing and specifications committee examines the current rules and specifications governing various items of equipment. This committee makes recommendations to the ASA’s council comprised of ASA commissioners, select youth and player representatives, umpire-in-chiefs, elite athletes and other affiliated members. The council is the ultimate decision maker of ASA rules and regulations regarding equipment. For a complete updated listing of ASA certified equipment, click on the appropriate category you are searching for:

ASA Bat Testing & Certification Program
The official bat in ASA Championship Play must meet all of the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1 and: must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, and must not be listed on an ASA non approved list, or must be included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or must,in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.
Beginning January 1, 2004, all bats in ASA Championship Play must pass the ASA 2004 bat standard. All bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in ASA Championship Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not be allowed in ASA Championship Play unless they are listed on an approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, the ASA website has a listing of bats that do not pass the ASA 2004 bat standard.
All wooden bats will continue to be approved for ASA Championship Play regardless of whether they bear an ASA approved certification mark or are included on a list of approved bats published by the ASA National Office.

2004 and Beyond Approved Bats
For a list of bats that have been tested and found to comply with the ASA bat performance standards, and therefore are authorized to bear the ASA 2004 certification mark and/or are authorized for use in ASA Championship Play beginning January 1, 2004, please click on the manufacturer below. Manufacturers continue to submit additional bat models for testing, and the ASA will update this list as test results become available.
Click here for ASA's non-approved bats with pictures

Choosing a Baseball Bat
When choosing a bat, there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration, including level of play, size of the batter, cost and comfort.
Aluminum bats are generally preferred to wooden bats due to their light weight and high strength (note: pro players are allowed to use wood bats only). Lighter bats are generally preferable to heavier bats as they allow the hitter to generate enough speed to put some “oomph” into it.  Additionally, aluminum bats provide more “pop” of the baseball off the bat, and are much more durable (therefore cost effective) than wooden bats. Bats today are becoming increasingly high tech and expensive - with youth bats reaching $200+ price levels.

The comfort of the bat to the hitter is the most important factor in choosing a bat. As with any piece of sports equipment, be it your baseball glove or hockey skates - the more comfortable you are the better. Take a few swings with the bat and try to picture yourself in a game.  Better yet, borrow a bat from one of your teammates and see how it feels - a swing in the store doesn’t always feel like a swing at the plate! When choosing a bat for younger players, make sure they can swing the bat without struggling - we’ve all seen the young players struggling to swing bats that are far too big for them.

EQUIPMENT Manufacturers

BASEBALL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
http://www.sport2000.net/baseball_manu.html
SOFTBALL SALES
http://www.softball.com/softball/home.do
JUGS PITCHING MACHINES
http://www.thejugscompany.com/
HIGHER GROUND SOFTBALL excellent videos
http://www.highergroundsoftball.com/

The A-Z ‘Strictly’ Softball Search Engine!
http://www.softballsearch.com/
Advanced Sporting Equipment Inc.
Makers of the Orbital Batting Tee and the Hitting Tube.
http://www.cen.quik.com/aseinc
BAT-C Ballglove Repair/Relace
Baseball and softball glove repair, re-lace, rebuild, mend, and dye; includes sample pictures of work.
http://baseballglove-repair.com
Coach Brockhoff Baseball & Softball
Baseball & softball hitting instruction & training aids for player & coach.
http://www.brockbaseball.com
Fielder’s Guard
Selling patented facial protection for infielders and outfielders.
http://fieldersguard.com
Girls Fastpitch Softball Scouting Reports
Scouting reports on top teams, players; commitments; clinics/tournaments.
http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/mound/3835Glove Doctor Service
Sporting Goods Restoration Service.
http://www.thesportsdoctor.com/GD.html
Porta-Pitch Co.
Gas powered, portable, and economical, the porta pitch can be used when no electricity is available.
http://members.aol.com/lafittecat/portapitch.html
Shortstroke Trainer- Baseball and Softball Hitting Aid
Baseball and fast pitch softball swing training equipment for coaching batters.
http://www.shortstroke.com
Sports Development Training Equipment
Softball, baseball and football equipment for the serious athlete.
http://www.sdte.com
SwingAway
Swing Training for Baseball or Softball Hitters.
http://www.swingaway.com
The K-Tee Softball Training Aid
Advanced fast pitch training tee to eliminate “dipping”, “casting”, and learn to hit the ball where it’s pitched.
http://www.k-tee.com
The Radar Shop
Access to consultation on every radar need including sales, repair, and rental.
http://www.theradarshop.com