Fred FontzFungo bats are an interesting group. You’re looking for durability from a brand that you can trust, but you won’t find the same bells and whistles that you look for in a regular bat. Because of that, we’re looking at the reputation, durability, and pricing.
We want to take a moment to point out a major difference between fungo bats and the other models (BBCOR, USA, etc). Companies put out a new BBCOR model every season to encourage players to buy the newest technology. Fungo bats are a bit different in that they don’t always get an update. So, this list will have some models that have been around for a few years.
These are the best fungo bats to buy in 2022:
1. Louisville Slugger K100
The Louisville K100 is the best wooden fungo bat on the market. This bat goes against the grain a bit. Typically fungo bats are significantly lighter and smaller than a typical bat. The K100 is a 36-inch bat, so it’s bigger than most of its competition.
What we really like is that it’s made from ash wood which is one of the most durable options that you’ll find. Given the quality, you might expect thigh bat to be expensive.
This model has been around since 2015 and it consistently gets outstanding reviews. The LS K100 is easily the best value fungo bat that you’ll find.
2. Easton MLF5
The Easton MLF5 is another great practice bat. It’s made from maple which is another highly durable material. It’s even longer than the K100 at 37 inches. It’s a lightweight bat but its length will make it one of the best fungo bats for fly balls.
Another thing that we like about the MLF5 is that Easton allows you to customize it a bit. With how generic fungo bats have become, the ability to customize makes it stand out. Unfortunately, it does come with a pretty significant price tag.
3. Easton F4
We believe the Easton F4 is the best aluminum fungo bat on the market. While durability isn’t typically an issue for fungo bats, we believe the aluminum models offer more durability than wood models.
The F4 is a 35-inch model that has a very thin handle. There’s no taper at the grip which may make it a little less comfortable when swinging repeatedly. This is one of the lightest fungo bats that you’ll find.
The bat isn’t going to wow you, but when considering a fungo, you just need something that will perform consistently. We believe that’s exactly what you’re getting with an F4.
4. DeMarini Fungodelic
DeMarini is one of the most respected names in baseball. They’ve created a durable maple wood bat that is 35 inches long. It’s a lightweight model with a bit more taper than most handles. The light swing weight makes this one of our favorite training bats on the market.
We want to re-enforce that fungo bats should not be used against live pitching. However, this bat is great for batting drills. You could use these bats for soft toss, timing drills, and breaking ball drills.
The biggest downfall that you’ll find is that Fungodelic carries the typical DeMarini pricing. It’s one of the most expensive fungo bats. The price is really what dropped the Fungodelic down our list.
5. Rawlings Northern Ash Fungo
The Rawlings Northern Ash is a pretty basic model that lives up to the Rawlings name. We love seeing a durable bat like ash. Some coaches have been able to use northern ash bats for years at a time before looking for a replacement.
This model is a 35-inch model with a two-toned design. Its price tag makes it a manageable option. It’s a rock solid model at a reasonable price. If you choose the Rawlings Northern Ash, you’ll be happy with your purchase.
6. SSK PS150
SSK isn’t a brand that most people know much about. Despite being relatively unknown, the PS series holds up very well. With a quick search, you’ll find that the PS series has several options including a PS100, PS150 and a PS200. The PS150 is our favorite option.
The PS150 is made with Japanese Poplar. It’s a model that has been around for years and coaches have consistently told us that it performs well. It’s a fungo bat that we absolutely trust, but we struggle to justify a $120 price tag. The bat must offer elite durability to offer value.
7. Rawlings R114CF
Rawlings offers one of the few composite fungo bats that you’ll find. It is made with maple and bamboo. It’s a high-quality model but it lacks any taper. It’s a very straight handle. At 34 inches, it’s a bit shorter than some of the models.
The Composite model runs a bit more costly than we’d like to see. It will cost you about $70. It’s a great bat that you’ll be able to use for years to come. That being said, you could get better value.
