News story

A Softball Player Can Never Have Too Many Bats

Nov. 20, 2003 – Senior Softball-USA

Santa is on his way and whether you're a softball player or someone who shopping for a player, there are plenty of new and exciting products on the market today.

Among the hottest products on sporting goods retailers' shelves this holiday season is the Mike Ultra II bat, which uses Miken's exclusive E-Flex technology to provide maximum flex in the barrel which still snapping back to shape for unparalleled performance.

The bat has been approved for use in 2004 for Senior Softball-USA.

Because most of the bat's barrel flexes on impact, the Ultra II creates a trampoline effect that helps transfer more energy to the ball for maximum performance and durability.

Available in a balanced version only, the Ultra II's outer layer also features Miken's exclusive Carbon-X Shell technology, a protective layering that provides all-temperature durability and helps provide players with the industry's largest sweet spot.

In addition, players will want to keep their eye out for a new Miken glove that has been designed with comfort in mind. The new leather glove requires no break in and will be available soon. The leather goes through a process of oil injection and is pre-softened, making this revolutionary glove game ready right out of the box.

At the same time, DeMarini Sports has released slow-pitch softball's first Half & Half singlewall, the Vexxum Slowpitch. The new hybrid bat combines a composite handle with an aluminum alloy barrel.

Virtually indestructible, the two-piece bat flexes upon impact, recoiling with a burst of ball-launching energy. The two-piece system also redistributes weight for optimal balance, allowing players to swing faster with less energy.

The bat carries a suggested retail price of $287.50 and is available at select sporting goods dealers nationwide.

DeMarini also is marketing what it calls the world's first "Bionic Bat" ˆ the F2. Built with the Half & Half technology, the F2 is the first bat to combine an aluminum barrel with an ultra-light composite handle. The F2 works like a natural extension of the human body, allowing players to swing faster with less effort.

In addition, DeMarini has brought to market its A900 and the Vodoo A950 gloves. Designed for serious players, the A900 is built with triple welting, giving the glove a strong, pre-cured pocket. Air vents between the fingers work to keep the player's hand cool and dry.

Following 10 years of development, Easton Sports has launched the Synergy bat to rave reviews. Utilizing an exclusive design, the Synergy 2 is hotter out of the wrapper and twice as durable as the SCX2 Synergy, yet it still complies with all current association bat performance standards.

The Synergy 2 is created using high-temperature, high-pressure internal molding which locks and bonds the materials together for maximum strength, performance and consistency. The bat is expected to retail for about $299.99.

Not to be outdone, Louisville Slugger has designed the new TPS XXL Extreme Load bat for players who really want to flex their muscles.

The Extreme Load is a double-wall design with a thin inner shell of C555 alloy, one of the latest, strongest and most durable metals available for bats. The Extreme Load has a heavier end load, putting more mass in the fastest-moving part of the bat to carry it through the ball with more power.

Because the scientifically tuned double walls share the load at ball impact while increasing wall deflection, stress on the bat walls is reduced and the result is a more durable bat.

Tanel 's 2004 Product Line, is expanding from the company's landmark softball cleat ˆ which has been the Grand Prize of the Triple Grand Slam of Senior Softball for three years.

Tanel's softball cleats for 2004 include the Performance Edition TMS˙, the Classic Edition TMS˙, the Elite Turf and the Ladies Victory TMS˙ .

In addition, Tanel has unveiled their 2004 Tournament Bat Bag with a new harness carrying system in black with white and silver logos, custom colored and numbered wristbands, new team color hats, newly designed slide sandals, and Tanel® batting gloves.

For teams interested in Tanel's Team Package, contact Tanel® at 1-866-826-3536.