Buying Guide for Softballs

Cover Types:

•     Leather Cover
  o   Provides the best grip, feel, durability, and consistent performance.
  o   Best for competitive fastpitch and slowpitch leagues, and tournament play.

•      Synthetic Leather/Composite Cover
  o   Less expensive than real leather, but not as long-lasting.
  o   Provides a similar grip to a leather softball.
  o   Resistant to absorbing moisture.
  o   Best for recreational leagues and middle school/high school practice (budget-friendly).

Core Construction:

•      Polyurethane Core
  o   Durable, resilient, and consistent “pop” for competitive play. Viewed as a livelier ball compared to cork.
  o   Best ball for all levels of play where the most consistent performance is desired.

•      Cork Core
  o   Has a lighter feel and lower compression compared to polyurethane core balls.
  o   Can lose its shape over time with repeated hard contact.
  o   Best for practice, lighter use, and lower levels of play.

COR (Coefficient of Restitution):

Measurement of the bounce of the ball. Higher COR means a livelier ball.

•      .40 - Low Bounce
  o   Provides more control and safer play.
  o   Best for beginner or youth leagues.

•      .44 - Low/Medium Bounce
  o   Slightly livelier ball for balancing distance and control.
  o   Best for adult recreational slowpitch or training leagues.

•      .47 - Medium Bounce
  o   The standard for fastpitch play.
  o   Offers the most consistent performance for competitive games.
  o   Best for fastpitch leagues of all ages and tournament balls.

•      .52 - Highest Bounce
  o   Slowpitch ball that produces more distance while maintaining league control standards.
  o   Best for competitive adult slowpitch leagues.

Compression:

Refers to the force required to compress the ball a quarter of an inch. Higher compression means a harder ball resulting in greater distance.

•      300lb compression
  o   Lowest compression for restrictive ball flight.
  o   Best for youth leagues where safety is the top priority.

•      325lb compression
  o   Low/Medium compression for restrictive ball flight.
  o   Best for older youth leagues or recreational adult slowpitch leagues.

•      375lb compression
  o   Medium compression for average ball flight.
  o   Standard for fastpitch balls.
  o   Best for recreational leagues, middle school, high school, and college fastpitch and tournament play.

•      400lb compression
  o   Highest compression for maximum ball flight.
  o   Best for adult recreational or competitive slowpitch leagues.

Softball Sizes:

• 10” - Best for Tee-ball and juniors.
• 11” - Best for fastpitch players under 12 years of age.
• 12” - Best for competitive fastpitch (12U+, high school, college, adult) and slowpitch leagues.
• 14” - Best for adult recreational Chicago-style softball or fastpitch pitcher training.
• 16” - Best for indoor recreational play or Chicago-style softball.

Association Stamps:

•      Balls with association stamps (NFHS, Little League, USA Softball, etc.) are required for game play by those associations. These balls meet specifications for size, weight, and performance.
  

•      Non-stamped balls may be used for practice and are usually less expensive.