What is the quick review?
DeMarini's CF for 2022 is a light swinging high, performing bat with a long barrel and flexible connection piece. Compared to the 2020 version, the 2021 DeMarini CF Fastpitch bat is all the same. In our tests with real high school fastpitch players, we found that smaller players tended towards the CF over bats like the Ghost or Xeno. Specifically, the drop 11 2021 CF is hard to beat in that swing weight class. The Drop 10 has plenty of competition, and we'd recommend only for the players who prefer lighter swinging fastpitch bats.
What models and sizes are available?
Smaller hitters preferred the 2021 DeMarini drop 11 CF as much as or better than any other drop 11 on the 2021 Fastpitch Market. Drop 10 hitters, especially the smaller ones, gave the CF high marks and liked bats like the LXT and PRISM. Bigger hitters thought the CF connection piece was too flexible and didn't feel like their exit speeds were good (although they were).
How is it built?
The 2021 DeMarini CF Fastpitch bat is a two-piece composite bat. Both the drop 10 and 11 use what DeMarini calls a Paraflex Plus Composite Barrel, 3Fusion Connection, and ReAction end cap. (Apparently, the real trick here is finding when to use upper and lower cases. We kid.) Relative to the industry, the bat's makeup is very common. Long sweet spots on light swinging two-piece composite fastpitch bats are commonplace. The most differentiating feature of the CF Fastpitch bat is the flexible connection. We found it to be looser than the LXT and about the same as the PRISM.
How does it compare?
The 2021 DeMarini CF Zen Fastpitch bat is the same as the 2020 DeMarini CF Fastpitch Bat. Both are two-piece composites with the same barrel, end cap, knob, and profile. There are no changes but the paint job. Compared to the 2019 CF, the 2021 has an upgraded endcap.
