Playing in cold weather is a downright chilly proposition. At JustBats.com, we receive a lot of calls, chats, and emails with questions about cold weather bat care. Whether you play baseball, fastpitch, or slow pitch, it's time to shed light on the following questions:
- Can I use my bat when it's cold?
- Are alloy or composite bats better when it's cold outside?
- What are the best bats for cold weather?
- At what temperature is it too cold to use my bat?
- Will I damage my bat if I use it in cold weather?
Keep in mind that the manufacturer's recommendations may differ slightly fromJustBats.com. If you have a question not answered below, our Bat Experts are available via telephone at 866-321-2287, email atexperts@justbats.com,or you can click here to live chat.Now, batter up!
Can I Use My Baseball Bat Or Softball Bat When It's Cold?
Yes and no.
Aluminum bats, especially ones with thinner walls, should not be used in cold temperatures. But, for most non-wood bats, it's actually the cold temperature balls that pose issues. In colder temperatures, a ball becomes denser, and this causes more stress to the bat's walls and increases the chances of denting.
What Are The Best Bats For Cold Weather?
Remember that personal preference plays a large role in a bat selection. With that said, if you have to play baseball or softball in temperatures under 60 degrees, here are some recommended bats:
At What Temperature Is It Too Cold To Use My Bat?
The industry recommendation is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain manufacturers, such as Easton, recommend avoiding temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for their aluminum models.
Are Alloy Or Composite Bats Better In The Cold?
Alloy bats (or, aluminum bats) can withstand cold weather better than composite bats. That doesn't mean either type should be used in colder temperatures, just that alloy bats aren't as susceptible to damage as composite bats.
Cold weather cracks are maximized on composite bats, and dense balls (which are nearly all cold baseballs or softballs) will cause these cracks. Dents are the most common form of damage to aluminum bats in cold weather, but these bats won't break like composite bats. Instead, the cold weather might cause an alloy bat to bend instead.
Will I Damage My Bat If I Use It In Cold Weather?
Yes and no. It depends on how often it's used and how cold it truly is.To summarize, the team at JustBats.com does NOT recommend using your bat in cold weather. With that said,it is unavoidable for some players to never use their bat in cold weather.
Have you ever used your bat in cold temperatures? Leave a comment below and tell us about it. Meanwhile, if you have any baseball bat or softball bat questions, you can always give our Bat Experts a call at 866-321-2287, shoot them an email at experts@justbats.com,orclick here to live chat. Don't forget, we'll be here for you from click to hit!
FAQs
At What Temperature Is It Too Cold To Use My Bat? The industry recommendation is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain manufacturers, such as Easton, recommend avoiding temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for their aluminum models.
What temperature is too cold for bats? ›
What Temperature is too Cold for Bats. Bats cannot simply survive in freezing weather. In fact not the majority of flying animals can. This means that your bat house temperature must be adjusted somewhere around 45 degrees, anything less than that becomes colder for bats even in hibernation.
What is the lowest temperature you can use a composite bat at? ›
Composite baseball bats are never recommended for use when playing in temperatures that fall below 60 degrees. This is because the performance problems and possibility of cracking increases.
How cold is too cold for baseball practice? ›
15 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Consider modifying activity to limit exposure or to allow more frequent chances to re-warm. 0 degrees Fahrenheit and below: Terminating practice or activity should be strongly considered.
Can you use the rawlings icon in cold weather? ›
WARNING: Avoid using your bat in cold weather. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) significantly increase the hardness of the ball.
Can I use my bat in cold weather? ›
The industry recommendation is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Certain manufacturers, such as Easton, recommend avoiding temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for their aluminum models.
What do I do with a bat in the winter? ›
While wearing gloves, place a container over the perched bat and and scoop it into the container. If temperatures are above freezing, the bat can be released outside and should be able to find a new place to hibernate—under some bark, a hole in a tree, hopefully not back in the attic!
Does warming a composite bat help? ›
Tests comparing the same bat at 45 degrees and at 80 degrees shows there is a 200 PSI change in the compression reading. That means that your bat is much more flexible when warm which makes it less likely to break or sting your hands and will definitely make it perform better.
How to make a bat hotter? ›
Ways to Juice your Bat
The most popular ways juiced softball bats are made are through shaving, rolling and endloading. When shaving and rolling are done together they can produce a dramatic effect.
How to keep bats warm in cold weather? ›
Store Balls in Warm Places: Keep your baseballs in a warm environment, steering clear of trunks, basem*nts, or garages to maintain their temperature. Consider Bat Warmers: While helpful, bat warmers can't entirely eliminate the risk of bat breakage caused by cold balls.
Cold reduces the rate at which muscles contract which reduces running speed, bat speed, and throwing velocity. Cold causes players, especially pitchers, to work at a higher percentage of their max force production to produce the same or less velocity and power.
What temperature is too cold to play? ›
In general, when the wind-chill is 32 degrees and above, it's safe to be outside. In temperatures 13 degrees to 31 degrees, indoor breaks should happen every 20-30 minutes. For wind-chills of 13 degrees and below, you should move activities indoors and outside of the cold as frostbite can set in very quickly.
How do you play baseball in the cold? ›
Keeping baseball and softball players warm in cold weather
Wearing layers is one of the easiest ways to help stay warm. Extra layers such as long sleeves and leggings are recommended if the air temperature is below 45 degrees Farenheit. An extra pair of socks can also help.
What happens if you don't break in a composite bat? ›
Second, breaking in a new bat will mean a better life span for your bat. If you use a composite bat right off the line, you could stress the inner resin unevenly. This could lead to dead spots. You'll know your bat has a dead spot if it hits inconsistently.
At what temperature can you use a composite bat? ›
How much should you stick to the "don't use composite bats under 60 degrees" rule? : r/slowpitch.
Do aluminum bats lose their pop? ›
Unfortunately, all bats have a limited life, and at some point, your bat will lose its pop.
What temperature should a bat house be? ›
Bat houses should be mounted in areas that receive 6 - 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Internal temperatures should be 80 - 100° F in the summer for mothers to raise their young. Bat houses should face south, east, or southeast to catch the heat of the sun as it rises.
Are bats sensitive to temperature? ›
As facultative heterotherms (Dzal et al., 2021), bats are directly influenced by temperature in various aspects of their lives. Temperature significantly affects the seasonal selection of roosts, with hibernacula typically cooler than reproductive sites (Altringham, 2011).
Can bats get hypothermia? ›
While the bats can handle temperatures as low as 30 degrees, she said hours spent in temperatures of 26 degrees or less can lead to hypothermia. "When they become hypothermic, they lose consciousness, and they drop out of the bridges," Warwick said.
