NCAA Fastpitch Bats

In the 2023 Fastpitch College World Series, the most frequently observed bat was the Mizuno CRBN1, appearing 21 times. Following closely behind was the DeMarini CF model from 2022, which was seen 11 times. The Rawlings Mantra+ (2023) and Louisville Slugger Xeno (2021) bats also made a significant presence, with counts of 10 and 9, respectively.

This graphic shows the top 9 bats at the 2023 College World Series fastpitch super regional games. We took the first nine at-bats of each game (where possible) for 144. These represent how often the bat was seen.

2023 Fastpitch Bat Frequency

The table provides information on the frequency of bat brands and models used in the 2023 Fastpitch College World Series across multiple years. Each row represents a specific year, brand, model, and the corresponding count of how often that bat was seen.

In the 2023 Fastpitch College World Series, the most frequently observed bat was the Mizuno CRBN1, appearing 21 times. Following closely behind was the DeMarini CF model from 2022, which was seen 11 times. The Rawlings Mantra+ (2023) and Louisville Slugger Xeno (2021) bats also made a significant presence, with counts of 10 and 9, respectively.

The data reveals some variations in bat preferences across different years. In 2021 the DeMarini CF model was used seven times, while the Louisville Slugger RXT and Mizuno CRBN1 were seen six times. The 2022 season showed a higher frequency of the DeMarini CF (9 times) and Louisville Slugger Meta (8 times), indicating a shift in popularity.

NCAA Fastpitch Bats Table (2023)

It’s interesting to note the appearance of different models from various brands throughout the years. For example, the Easton Ghost Advanced (2022) was observed five times, while the Easton Ghost Double Barrel (2023) and Rawlings Quatro (2017) had 2 and 1 appearances, respectively. This diversity suggests that players and teams continuously explore different bat options to find the best fit for their performance needs.

The data table provides insights into the bat preferences of teams competing in the Fastpitch College World Series, showcasing the brands and models frequently utilized in recent years.

Data Accuracy

We try our best to get accurate data but admit we could have misseen or been confused about the bat in the lineup. Most bats are recognizable, and we’ve been doing this for a bit, so get pretty good at it. Still, we likely have some mistakes here, which would change the results if you see a mistake we’ve made (remember we only watch the first at-bat for the game for that player if it is available—otherwise, we got to the 2nd at-bat, etc., until we can get a good image of the bat).

You can see all of the data we captured here.

2023 Oklahoma Sooners Fastpitch Bat Lineup

The data table provides insights into the bat usage of the 2023 Fastpitch College Series winning team, the Oklahoma Sooners. The table lists the players from Oklahoma and their respective positions, handedness, graduation years, and the bats they used during the series.

Among the players, Jayda Coleman, the center fielder, utilized the Rawlings Mantra bat from 2022. Tiare Jennings, the second baseman, used the Rawlings Quatro Pro in 2020. Haley Lee, the designated player, and Kinzie Hansen, the center fielder, opted for the Rawlings Mantra+ from 2023. Alyssa Brito, the third baseman, went with the Rawlings Mantra in 2022. Cydney Sanders, the first baseman, joined Haley Lee and Kinzie Hansen in using the Rawlings Mantra+. Jocelyn Erickson, the right fielder, selected the Rawlings Mantra in 2022. Grace Lyons, the shortstop, also used the Rawlings Mantra from 2022. Lastly, Rylie Boone, the left fielder, utilized the Rawlings Quatro from 2017.

2023 Alabama Fastpitch Bat Lineup

The data table provides insights into the bat usage of the Alabama team during the Fastpitch College Series, where they did not emerge as the winners. The table includes the players from Alabama, their positions, handedness, graduation years, and the bats they used during the series.

Ashley Prange, the third baseman, utilized the Easton Ghost Double Barrel bat from 2020. Jenna Johnson, the left fielder, used the Easton Ghost Advanced from 2022. Bailey Dowling, the designated player, and Ally Shipman, the catcher, opted for the Easton Ghost Double Barrel from 2023. Emma Broadfoot, the first baseman, went with the Easton Ghost Advanced in 2022. Kali Heivilin, the second baseman, joined Jenna Johnson and Emma Broadfoot in using the Easton Ghost Advanced. Kenleigh Cahalan, the shortstop, also selected the Easton Ghost Advanced. Larissa Preuitt, the right fielder, utilized the Easton Ghost Advanced in 2022. Kristen White, the center fielder, used the Easton Ghost Unlimited from 2023.

Do sponsorships make the data irrelevant?

The short answer is, to some extent, maybe. You’re welcome to rehash that again in this thread, as someone inevitably does. Or, you could also look back through almost any post we have about bat usage to see people go back and forth about how useful the information might be. We think it gives a good commentary on the state of bats and what hitters prefer but with a grain of salt.

Is this the Best Bat?

The data highlights the most frequently observed bat brands and models, indicating the preferences of players and teams in recent years. The popularity of the Mizuno CRBN1, DeMarini CF, Rawlings Mantra+, and Louisville Slugger Xeno bats showcases their effectiveness and widespread usage among elite collegiate athletes.

But is that the same as saying it is the best bat?

For us, the sponsorship bias throws too many variables in the equation to immediately agree that it is a list of the best fastpitch bats. But it certainly should be taken into consideration.

It’s recommended to interpret the findings with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, the data provides a valuable snapshot of bat usage and offers a starting point for discussing the state of bats and player preferences in the collegiate fastpitch softball world.