New and improved compostie aluminum bats have completely transformed softball:

Two significant technological advances have enhanced bat power in the last 15 years. The first came in 1993 when the first double-wall aluminum bat was designed, giving players a much larger sweet spot on the barrel. The second came in 2002 when Miken Sports developed the first high-performance composite bat, the "Ultra."

Together, each innovation meant more bat power.

Today, bat companies continue to push the envelope. The search for the perfect ratio of fibers like Kevlar and fiberglass in composite bats is ongoing. Some bats now have composite-aluminum mixes. And companies sound more like science labs than sporting goods producers; Miken has its "E-Flex Technology" and Easton has its CNT, or carbon nanotube technology.

I just finished a softball season and can attest that the bats make a big difference. Personally, I think going to wood bats for college baseball and softball would be great. But it's not likely to happen in rec leagues until a sufficient number of people get badly injured by balls flying off bats too fast.