UPDATED 01/17/08 Just some things to consider before you make a large investment in hopes of making the ball go farther.

I don't claim to be an expert in the field of softball bats, however I have been playing for about 20+ years and I did play-for-pay when I was younger. I think someone should give the new ebayer some tips on buying this type of item from ebay.

Be aware that scamming is alive and well in this catagory as some of these bats reach well above the 300.00 mark. Read some other guides and tips concerning that subject. The one that seems to be the most problem here is the seller that sells alot of small ticket items, then lists several high dollar bats for sale. Another one that has become increasingly popular is the seller listing a one day auction on a high dollar bat, be carefull!! Have they done this before? Do they have good feedback? Use common sense.  Remember, PayPal does give some protection, but only if the seller has the money in his/her account.

• Remember to check YOUR leagues banned bat list.
• Most leagues will follow whatever guidelines are set forth by the sponsoring organization (ASA, USSSA, NSA, etc.) and these can usually be found by checking organizations website (Ebay won't allow me to insert the link to these pages, but they all ARE available. If you want to see them, just google them)
• Some city leagues also have thier own websites and/or written rules and ban lists - so be sure you ask an official.

• Don't be fooled by someones description of the bat - they ARE trying to sell it to you.
• One of my favorites is - I added 50 feet (or whatever) to my longest hits
• While this might be possible, it is not likey that YOU are going to have the same luck, unless you are going from a cheap aluminum bat to a top of the line composite. BE REALISTIC - nothing is going to help your game MORE then PRACTICE!!

• ASK THE SELLER SOME QUESTIONS
• When was the bat ORIGINALLY purchased
• Most aluminum bats have about a 2-3 year life, the POP factor really starts to fade after that.
• Composites are a bit different, as I have seen people using the original freak for three years of consistant use and they seem to retain really good hitting ability.
• Was it a TEAM bat or was the seller the only user
• bag scratches and the like are going to happen, see if they will send a close-up photo of the end-cap.
• On the end-cap, your looking for seperation between the cap and the barrel of the bat, is it loose or still tightly wedged in the barrel. (a very big deal with some composites).
• Paint is usually NOT an issue, the same with normal scratches, just asking for a close-up of an area can tell you ALOT.
• Is the bat returnable
• Most bat manufactuers won't honor a return without a store reciept
• Over the years, this has changed alot, there was a time you could send in a dented bat and have a new one within a week, no reciept, no problem, those days are pretty much gone.
• Are there any rattles, cracks etc.
• A rattle usually means that the inner barrel is loose and moving around, NOT a good thing.

• As of mid 2005 the ASA installed the 98 mph rule
• At the same time (or there abouts) USSSA installed the 120mph rule
• Both of these rules are pretty silly (I am a pitcher now and still believe it) BUT it does level the playing field ALOT.(Please, this is MY OPINON - not absolute fact!)
• If your looking for something HOTTER, check for bats made before 2004, some are still allowed (check your leagues list)
• (ADDED 3/9/07) Almost all of the bats that ASA allowed to be grandfathered in are going to be banned starting 1/1/08, this includes the Miken Freak and a couple of the PST models. These bats are really expensive, so is it worth it for just one years use.

• SHIPPING
• Remember that the ACTUAL shipping cost of a 30 ounce softball bat is around 8 - 10.00 (this is Priority mail WITH tracking but no insurance). If someone is charging more then that, well they are trying to get some extra cash from you.
• UPDATED 01/17/08 - I am located pretty central to the entire US (well, as far as postal rates are concerned) and a PROPERLY packaged bat usually runs about 3 pounds. I checked the my figures against the NEW postal rates and the low end (parcel post) is between 7.00 and 8.00. Higher end (priority mail) runs from 8.00 to 9.75 depending on what part of the country.
• Just out of curiosity, I checked rates from Portland Oregon to New York and Oregon to Miami Florida
• Oregon to N.Y. - 7.93 parcel and 10.55 Priority same prices for Oregon to Miami, Florida - Thats about as cross country as you can get!!
• There are other add-ons like insurance 1.65 for the first 50.00 and could add up to 3.00+ depending on final price - but give the buyer a choice
• As far as tracking goes - a PayPal necessity - use PayPal shipping and on ANY package, it is .18, thats right 18 cents and most of the time (when shipping Priority mail, its FREE)
• The post office has several diffent priority mail containers that will work - my favorite one is the triangle box, and they are all free.
• If you are shipping the bat, remember to use bubble wrap or peanuts to take up the extra space in the box.
• It might sound silly, but most bats suffer from scratches just taking them out of a bat bag.

There are some really great deals available here on Ebay, just try to get an idea of the one you want before you start bidding. I hope you find the one your looking for!!

Finally, before you purchase the bat you want, google the name of the bat. Chances are really good that you might even get a BETTER deal then what is on Ebay at the time. I have been able to do this a couple of times (A 30 ounce PST on clearance for 200.00 and shipping was included) and I have found some good deals on Ebay (a gently used Anderson rocket tech 32 ounce for under 100.00). Hope this helps someone.

If it helped, say so below - if not, let me know how I can make it better.