It’s a relief that the 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch softball bat is finally here.
The CF series has always provided players with excellent bats, and this year marks a revolutionary change in what you get.
I know you understand the fastpitch game can be challenging, even for experienced players.
For newbies, it may even be intimidating.
The pitcher’s windmill delivery seems menacing, while the ball travels through home plate at a daunting speed.
But when you’re armed with the right DeMarini CF9 fastpitch bat, your confidence can rise.
Just Show Me The CF9 Bats!
==>> Read all consumer reports on these 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch softball bat here
The DeMarini Story So Far
The DeMarini CF9 is just the latest phenomenon from the vaunted brand, which is famed for its tradition of superb performance.
The DeMarini origin story is a legend in the industry, and understanding the CF9 requires a bit of background.
Once upon a time, a player suddenly rose to fame in softball. What’s strange is that it wasn’t some hotshot kid. It was actually a 40-year old named Ray DeMarini.
His fame was due to his uncanny ability to hit balls into what’s known as the no-man’s-land: the precise area between the outfield and the infield where it couldn’t be fielded quickly.
It was called Ray DeMarini’s Reflex Hitting System, and it became the most popular ESPN home video of all time. Soon DeMarini was being hailed as the “King of Softball”.
But it wasn’t enough for Ray to teach generations of softball hitters how to hit properly.
What Did He Do Next?
He was determined to offer them the best bats as well, so he found an engineer and scientist named Mike Eggiman to partner with him to achieve this goal.
Eggiman grew up on a farm, and they founded the DeMarini manufacturing company in 1989 in a humble barn that even had a dirt floor.
Despite the low-tech accommodations, DeMarini soon came out with a ground-breaking lineup of bats that completely shook up the industry.
Before the arrival of DeMarini, softball bat manufacturers usually offered 2 types of bats.
They had one bat for regular players, which were affordable but didn’t really offer much in terms of performance.
The other bat was for the pros, which were superb but harder to use and more expensive.
Word spread about the excellence of the DeMarini bats, so it didn’t matter that the company didn’t have retailers.
They became successful selling directly to their customers, so that in just 3 years they were able to move from the barn to a heated metal shack.
The DeMarini name lives on, despite the passing of Ray DeMarini in 2001.
It’s a yearly custom for the brand to come up with a new line of terrific fastpitch softball bats, and the 2017 CF9 continues that annual tradition.
Features of the 2017 DeMarini CF9 Fastpitch Softball Bat
So what’s so great about the 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch lineup?
The price tag may be a bit formidable at $350, but you sure get your money’s worth.
This is a 2 1/4-inch barrel bat in a 2-piece design, and it’s allowed for use in USSSA, ASA, ISA, NSA, and ISF leagues.
Revolutionary new composite material. The CF line now boasts of the latest composite from the renowned R & D department from DeMarini.
This is a tremendous achievement, because the CF8 Paradox Plus+ Composite barrel still remains one of the best in the industry.
Hot out of the wrapper. Because of this strength, the CF9 doesn’t need a lot of break-in.
You can virtually use this right out of the gate on game day.
This is a marked improvement over all those other bats which need lots of practice contact with the ball before you can use it properly.
Massive sweet spot. The sweet spot refers to that area of the bat where you can optimize the contact with the softball.
When you get the ball to hit this sweet spot, the ball goes out farther and you don’t get as much stinging in your hands.
But here in the 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch softball bat, you don’t have to worry about a small sweet spot that can cause a mishit.
You won’t have to keep punishing your hands as the vibrations keep traveling down the barrel.
Low moment of inertia. When you’re getting a bat, the weight that matters isn’t the actual weight of the bat.
It’s the swing weight that should occupy your attention.
This is known as the moment of inertia, or MOI, and it refers to how difficult you find it to control a bat when you take a swing.
This bat has a very low MOI, so it gives you fantastic control over the bat and the swing speed is very quick as well.
The CF9 lineup offers the lightest swing, so you won’t have much trouble making contact at the plate.
D-Fusion 2.0 handle. This is the innovative handle that first came out in some version of the CF8, and now it’s also featured on all the CF9 versions.
This handle is designed to redirect the energy upon contact back into the barrel, and not into your hands.
So your hands are protected from the vibrations and the stinging, while you get more pop when the ball bounces on the bat like it hit a trampoline.
Numerous versions for custom performance. Different types of hitters need different bats, and of course we also have our own particular preferences.
Here you have different drops and different weight designs to choose from, so you can get the bat that fits your needs.
Check Out The Next Three Special Features
The 2017 DeMarini CF9 Fastpitch Softball Bat – Drop 11
This is the lightest CF9 fastpitch bat of them all, and it’s available in sizes ranging from 28 inches (17 ounces) to 33 inches (22 ounces).
That’s the kind of drop that’s great for the younger kids, as they get the ability to control the bat well.
Younger kids don’t do well with heavier bats, but that feather light 17-ounce weight should be marvelous for you good hitters.
If your kid is a beginner, this is what you get them.
It’s light yet strong, and the handle plus the large sweet spot can keep the stinging to a minimum.
Drop 10 Balanced
- Full Composite Desgin
- Brand New Paraflex Composite Material
- D-Fusion 2.0 Composite Handle
- -10oz length to weight ratio
- Approved for use in ASA, USSSA, and all other major softball associations
This is offered a size range starting with 30 inches (20 ounces) to 34 inches (24 ounces).
This is the most popular version of the 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch softball bat, as the light weight and the balanced weight distribution offers singular control over the bat.
Having this in your hands can really boost your confidence at the plate.
If you’re not sure what to get, this serves as the de facto default.
It can serve many types of hitters, and even small kids with not much power can get on base more often.
Drop 10 Insane Endload
The weight distribution here has more weight at the end, so that feels a little bit like wielding a hammer.
If you’re a powerful hitter, this can be your weapon of choice.
Since it is still a drop 10, it’s also light enough that you can still control this well. It’s available in 31 inches (21 ounces) up to 34 inches (24 ounces).
This configuration can really boost your hitting lots more extra base hits.
The endload can really let you take a whack at the ball, and making contact can launch that ball into orbit, or so it seems!
Drop 10 Slapper
Some players bat left-handed even when they’re righties, so that they can slap the ball towards the third base area while they dash to first base like mad.
The goal is to get on base as often as possible.
This kind of slap-hitting technique needs a bat like the Drop 10 Slapper.
It’s also available from 31 inches (21 ounces) up to 34 inches (24 ounces). Here the barrel is very long at 14 inches so you get a lot more space at the plate.
Then the weight is also laid more near your hands, so you get exquisite control over the bat and the ball.
You can direct the ball where you want so that the fielders have trouble getting to the ball.
What makes this Slapper great is that you don’t have to use the slapping technique every time.
You can keep the defense honest by swinging hard every now and then, and this bat gives you the ability to drive the softball through the gap.
Drop 10 Hope
- 12+ age group
- USSSA, ASA, ISA, NSA, ISF Certification
- Paraflex composite barrel material
- D-Fusion 2.0 handle type
- 2 1/4 handle type
This gives you the same performance as the Balanced 2017 DeMarini CF9 fastpitch softball bat.
The difference is that it’s made in partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
So you can get it and contribute in the fight against breast cancer, and you also get a superior bat with a limited edition design.
Learn more about the 2017 CF9 Hope here.
Drop 9
- 14+ age group
- USSSA, ASA, ISA, NSA, ISF Certification
- Paraflex composite barrel material
- D-Fusion 2.0 handle type
- 2 1/4 handle type
You can get one of three sizes, ranging from 32 inches (23 ounces) to 34 inches (25 ounces).
This is for the heavy hitting big kids in high school and college.
Its massive size can really power up your hits, and it’s also much more durable.
The colors of this bat are blue, white and grey.
Like all of these bats…there is a one year warranty.
Drop 8
- 14+ age group
- USSSA, ASA, ISA, NSA, ISF Certification
- Paraflex composite barrel material
- D-Fusion 2.0 handle type
- 2 1/4 handle type
This is the heaviest bat of them all, and you can get either the 33-inch (25-ounce) or the 34-inch (26-ounce) size.
This is the elite weapon for the biggest and best cleanup hitters in your team.
If that’s you, then this is the bat you need to get for fastpitch softball.
This bat is a beast so if you’ve got some muscle and want to power a few out, this is for you.
Conclusion on the 2017 DeMarini CF9 Fastpitch Softball Bat
With the new CF9, you get the very best in fastpitch bats.
You get a lot of control, plenty of pop, and minimized stinging in the hands. What more do you want in a bat?
With the 2017 DeMarini CF9 Fastpitch Softball Bat, everything you need is right here, down to the weight distribution and drop of your choice.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Softball season is starting to get into full swing (pun intended) and these items would be
a great asset for kids starting their season. I have a couple of friends who have daughters
playing softball, and would recommend these to them.
Thank you so much for recommending these awesome DeMarini bats to your friends! I hope they have a great season!
We are not a sports playing family at all. Not one of us play any kind of sports. These do look and sound like a great product. I love the colors too.
That’s okay Jenn! Thanks for stopping by and please share this with all your friends who do play fastpitch softball.
These bats look really high-tech! I have never seen bats with such intricate designs and bold colors before. I have an ex-colleague who loves, loves, loves baseball and would really appreciate this merchandise.
Hi Lisa! Fastpitch softball is for women and men. These bats are pretty sweet huh!
This is a fun post. Tis the time of the year! My husband is a big softball and baseball fan. He still plays on a team with his coworkers. Fun info.
Censie – Once you have baseball or softball in the blood it stays there for good!
I absolutely love the design on this bat. This is so helpful for those of us who do not know much about bats other than the weight and feel of them. I play occasionally and would enjoy having a nice bat like one of these for sure!
Hi Melissa – I really like the design on these bats as well. Fastpitch bats normally have better designs and colors than even baseball bats do.
These are adorable, lol! I have no idea about softball or anything having to do with fastpitch softball, but those bats are so cute!
A lot of people buying this specific series of bats love the design and that helped make their decision final. Good points!
While I am not a softball player, I do know a few enthusiasts. I did learn a few things today while reading. I’ll have to join in on the next convo started by one of my fast pitch friends.
Sounds good! Let them know you have all the “inside info” on the best bats!
Wow, lol you have taught me so much! I didn’t know about all those things about bats at all. I thought you just try to hit the ball and that was that. These bats look really great and that is a geat price point too.
Hi Marilyn – You are so right. The price point is actually really good for the quality of bat you’ll be getting. I would look to this model first before others.
I filled in working one Summer at the ASA in OKC. I learned a lot about Softball and the equipment. It’s a serious sport. The bat looks like a great option.
Hi Valerie – This bat has been so popular. It is a great option for players.