Softball uses a larger ball than baseball does. Softball bats and gloves are different in size and weight. Also a softball field is a lot smaller than a baseball field.
The difference is a baseball bat has a bigger barrel and its weight is different. The softball bat has a smaller barrel and can be lighter than a baseball bat with the same length. Baseball bats are also usually wooden while softball uses aluminum.
The drop is the difference between the length of the bat and the weight of the bat. If you have a 32 inch bat and its weight is 22oz you have a -10 drop.
You may be wondering what the difference is among a slowpitch softball bat, a fastpitch softball bat and a regular baseball bat. The difference is in the technology of designing the bat. The length, weight and barrel diameter, among other features, are the main differences. Manufacturers have determined the size and weight that are optimal for hitting a slowpitch softball versus fastpitch, and have designed them accordingly.softballpickles .com
the weight
-8 Means that it's a drop 8 bat, and that is just the difference between your length and weight of your bat.
-9 means the difference between the weight and the length of the bat (the length of the bat minus the weight of the bat). Most bats on average are -10
Official softball weight is 6.8 oz
That is referred to as the drop. It is the difference between the bat length and the weight. If the bat is 32 inches long and the drop is -10 the weight is 22oz. If bat is 32 inches and the drop is -12 then the weight is 20oz.
Official softball weight is 6.8 oz
It doesn't "affect" the bat. Drop is the difference of the length and the weight.
For a 12-inch softball the weight must be between 6.25 and 7 ounces.