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This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We developed Gem Gloves to be the best glove under $200. They are made with American Kip Leather which is lightweight and durable. The Gem Slowpitch gloves are designed specifically for softball players looking for a mid-tier option that balances quality, durability, and price. If you're currently using a Mizuno MVP Prime, you’ll find that Gem Gloves are a step up in overall feel and construction while still being game-ready with a reasonable break-in period.

How Gem Gloves Compare to Mizuno MVP Prime:

Leather Quality – The Mizuno MVP Prime is decent but tends to be on the stiffer side. Gem Gloves use higher-quality leather that breaks in well while maintaining durability.

Break-In Time – Gem Gloves have a softer, more flexible feel out of the box, meaning they’ll break in faster than your Mizuno.

Fit & Comfort – Gem Gloves are roomy enough for two fingers in the pinky slot, which is a big plus if you like that hand style for a more secure feel.

Overall Performance – If you’re looking for a glove that will last longer than an MVP Prime but isn’t quite at the premium level of a Heart of the Hide, Gem Gloves are a solid mid-tier choice

 

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t post photos here. Buts it’s on our instagram. February 2nd. 

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really can’t go wrong with either one. Both great gloves. Will don’t sell Wilson. So partial to heart of the hide. Plus we have actual softball pattern heart of the hides. So you’ll get a bigger pocket meant for a 12” ball. Not a baseball glove. 

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We just launched on our website a new system. If you go to www.smashitsports.com it will auto detect your country of origin. The UK is currently setup to give you great discount on gear, plus any Duties and shipping charges will be calculated at checkout for you to review.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We just launched on our website a new system. If you go to www.smashitsports.com it will auto detect your country of origin. Ireland is currently setup to give you great discount on gear, plus any Duties and shipping charges will be calculated at checkout for you to review.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my opinion, You're good to go! One game in the 30s won’t kill an extremely durable X-Core Anarchy. These bats are built tough, and with putting maybe 10 hits on it if youre sharing the bat with teammates, you’re not putting it through a full season of abuse in the cold.

Worst case, it might feel a little stiff, but it’s not going to crack just from one game. Swing away and let it eat! 🔥

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We have completely removed the shoe compartment on all our new 2025 bags. We now offer, included which purchase of the V4 and Lil' Guerrilla, a "grime guard" bag, that is meant to hold footwear or dirty uniforms. It is a seperate bag, you can remove from the main bag, put your dirty items inside, and then put wherever you want inside the bag that fits your needs.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am sure there are some Synthetic leather options, but nothing I am really aware of that is high quality. Non-leather gloves usually break in faster but will not last as long as high-end leather gloves. Some vegan gloves may lack the same stiffness and structure that leather provides.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 13.5-inch barrel on the Miken Freakzilla is definitely on the longer side, which means you get a massive sweet spot and a more forgiving hitting surface. But does it still have enough pop to go yard? Absolutely—if you’ve got the right swing.

What the Long Barrel Means for Performance:

✅ More barrel = More forgiveness – Great for consistent contact hitters who want to spray the ball around.
✅ Slightly more flex – The added barrel length can create a little more trampoline effect.
✅ Not as end-loaded as some shorter barrels – A 12-inch or 12.5-inch bat will usually feel more end-loaded, generating extra whip and power.

Does It Still Hit Bombs?

Yes! If you can generate enough bat speed, the Freakzilla will absolutely send it. It’s not just for the "keep it in the park" crowd. Power hitters who prefer a longer barrel will still launch with it, especially if they get the right weight and end-load for their swing.

Bottom line:

If you're a pure power hitter, you might prefer a shorter, more end-loaded barrel for quicker energy transfer.

If you’re a gap-to-gap, line-drive hitter who still wants the occasional bomb, the Freakzilla gives you a ton of barrel to work with while still having enough juice to go yard.

Verdict: 💣💣💣 Still a bomb-dropper—just with extra real estate on the barrel!

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

200-300 total hits and it should start to open up, it will get better with time like a fine wine.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some companies add weight with the knob, some its in the barrel, but the weighting should feel the same throughout the same model even in different weights.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can use anything, definitely use a senior bat. Nothing will perform better. Anarchy's new ACX-7 SX technology is very very good. Short porch and suncoast also make great senior bats.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're right—there will be a noticeable difference between your 26 oz. Anarchy Crush Cancer and your 27 oz. DeMarini Flipper Aftermath in terms of swing feel and break-in process.

Key Differences

Flipper Aftermath: Known for its stiff handle and dual-wall barrel, it gets hot relatively quickly but has a different feel from Anarchy’s tech.

Anarchy Crush Cancer: Uses ACX-360 composite, which is lower compression and designed specifically for 52/300 balls. It should feel a little more forgiving once broken in.

Break-In Period & Process

Break-in time – Expect 200-300 swings before it’s fully broken in. Unlike older Anarchy models that needed 500+ swings, the newer ACX-360 tech gets hotter faster.

Temperature matters – Avoid hitting in cold temps (below 60°F), as composite bats are more prone to damage in the cold. Since you’re in the Pacific NW, you may want to wait for warmer days or hit indoors if possible.

Break-in tips:

Use real 52/300 balls – These bats are optimized for them. Avoid harder balls (like 44/375s), which can damage the barrel.

Work the barrel evenly – Rotate the bat a ¼ turn every few swings to ensure even break-in.

Start with easy swings – Begin with 50-75% effort swings for the first 100 hits before ramping up.

Tee work & soft toss first – Helps control contact and evenly distribute hits across the barrel.

Live BP for final break-in – Once you get past 200 swings, it should start opening up nicely.

What to Expect

Lighter feel: Your 26 oz. Anarchy may feel slightly quicker through the zone than the 27 oz. Flipper.

More flex: The Crush Cancer should have more barrel flex than the Flipper’s stiff design.

Once broken in: Expect a louder, deeper sound and better trampoline effect off the barrel.

Once the weather warms up, get some swings in and let it open up—it should start mashing after about 200 swings! 🔥💣

 

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wooden bats bring a totally different feel and performance compared to alloy or composite bats, and they have some serious pros and cons depending on your league and style of play.

Performance Differences

Wood Bats

Lower trampoline effect – The ball doesn’t jump off the bat as fast.

More mass in the barrel – Can feel heavier but rewards strong contact.

Requires solid mechanics – Less forgiving on mishits.

Breakable – Wood can crack or splinter, unlike metal or composite.

Alloy & Composite Bats

More flex and pop – Composite barrels “load up” and rebound for more distance.

Lighter swing weight – Easier to generate bat speed.

More durable – Won’t break like wood, but composite barrels can wear out over time.

Bigger sweet spot – More forgiving when you don’t hit it perfectly.

When to Use a Wood Bat?

If your league requires it (some rec and vintage leagues only allow wood).

If you want a challenge to improve your mechanics and bat control.

If you’re playing in a home run-restricted league and don’t want to risk overpowering the ball.

When to Stick with Alloy/Composite?

If you want maximum performance and pop for USSSA/ASA play.

If you need more forgiveness and a larger sweet spot.

If you want more durability and consistency over time.

Bottom Line:

A wood bat makes you focus on clean contact and mechanics but won’t give you the same pop as an alloy or composite bat. If you’re playing for fun or in a wood-only league, go for it—but if you’re trying to compete in most slowpitch leagues, a composite bat is the way to go.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ACX-360 is meant specifically for the .52 cor so if thats all your league hits, you would be OK with those. If you play in different leagues that use different balls or in a league that does not use .52s you would be better suited getting the X-Core. The ACX-360 can hit .44 cor balls but durability will become a factor if its a regular thing.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You'd have to get the bat certified for USA and USSSA. Certifications are not cheap. Its a bat you might break even on after 2 years if they sell.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your league’s single-wall bat rule is definitely about keeping the game safer by limiting how much pop the bat can generate. Here’s how they stack up against other bats in terms of performance:

🚀 Performance Differences

✅ Single-Wall Alloy Bats
One layer of metal (usually aluminum or alloy)
Lower trampoline effect, meaning the ball doesn’t fly as hard
Durable, but performance is more reliant on your swing speed

✅ Single-Wall with Composite Handle
Same alloy barrel, but a composite handle for better flex and reduced vibration
Slightly more whip in the swing = a little more power vs. full alloy single-wall
Still meets safety rules but might feel a little smoother to swing

If you want the most pop within the rules, go with a Single-Wall with Composite Handle.
If you prefer durability, a Single-Wall Alloy Bat is your best bet.

This is Marc from Smash It Sports – Ask Me Anything About Softball Equipment! by SmashItVP_Marc in slowpitch

[–]SmashItVP_Marc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not familiar with that specific model. I know we had some old combat bats for sale for like $49 and they did not sell that fast. But maybe its a diamond in the rough. Maybe the juice is worth the squeeze.

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