Intermediate
Compression Rating
Compression rating measures how much force it takes to compress a softball a quarter inch, in pounds per square inch. A higher rating means a harder ball with more pop.
Compression interacts with bat performance to determine how lively the game plays. Leagues specify legal compression ranges, and using a ball or bat outside the sanctioned range can be disqualifying. Lower-compression balls are softer and travel less; higher-compression balls reward bat speed with more distance.
Example
A league mandates a 52 COR / 300-pound compression ball, so a harder ball brought from another league is not legal.
Related terms
- BPF (Bat Performance Factor)BPF measures how much energy a bat returns to the ball compared with a completely rigid wall. A higher BPF means more "trampoline" pop off the barrel.
- End LoadEnd load is extra weight added toward the barrel end of a bat to increase swing momentum and exit velocity. End-loaded bats reward hitters who can control them with bat speed.
Related guides & benchmarks
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