slo pitch bats vs fast pitch bat

Question
QUESTION: i am running the women's slow pitch league in my area and there are a few girls who play college fast pitch softball.

this year i have banned fast pitch bats for our slow pitch league because i felt it was a disadvantage to the other teams and players that these 5 girl use only fast pitch bats vs slow.

Is there that much of a difference between the 2 that it would make a huge difference or advantage one way or the other and is there a specific ASA rule.

please let me know.

thanks,

Michelle

ANSWER: HI Michelle,

There are no technical differences between FP and SP bats.  FP bats tend to come in lighter weights.  Any bat marked official softball and has an ASA stamp (not banned) is legal for any game of softball.  If I were you I would reconsider.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for getting back to me. There is however my dilemma that some are saying you have an advantage because the FP bat is lighter therefore you can swing faster and almost get a hit every time and that the lighter bats help those who have no upper body strength. Those who use the heavier bat and don't own lets say a FP bat have the disadvantage. How true is all this...
I do know about the ASA stamp on the bats. If you think i should use them then i guess i will as long as the 5 girls don't have the advantage over all the others that use the SP bats.

Answer
Hi Michelle,

I disagree w/ "some".  A bat that is approved for play is available for anyone to buy, borrow or steal (hopefully not steal). Is it an advantage for the larger girl to swing a lighter bat, I don't think so or at least not to any degree that would make the game unfair.  It would be a disadvantage for a petite girl to use a bat heavier than they should.  I know your intentions are good but I think the rule should be respected...a softball bat is a softball bat is a softball bat.

Mark