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Passion To Win: Amanda Chidester's Signature DeMarini Bat
Learn about the Signature DeMarini CF built for USA Softball's Amanda "Chiddy" Chidester.
When USA Softball standout Amanda “Chiddy” Chidester was still in high school, one teacher gave her an assignment to create a dream product – something that didn’t already exist on the market. Chiddy’s product of choice? A signature fastpitch softball bat.
“I wanted to have a bat with my name on it one day,” Chiddy said.
This year, the USA Softball star made that dream a reality with DeMarini. In 2019, Chiddy visited the DeMarini offices with American teammates Ali Aguilar and Val Arioto. During their visit, the players took the first steps in designing their signature bats.
“At first I was like, ‘Is this really happening?’” Chiddy said. “Going through and creating what we wanted, and even seeing the option to put ‘Chiddy’ on it, I was like ‘Wow.’”
Chiddy said the opportunity to craft her own signature CF fastpitch bat was a surreal moment, and she was excited to not only have a unique bat to swing in games, but to also see young players hitting with her bat.
“Wow, finally that time has come where I'm actually going to have my own bat out there for people to purchase,” Chiddy said. “It's a pretty cool feeling.”
The USA Softball catcher and infielder decided to incorporate a patriotic colorway on the barrel of her bat. The Red and Blue design features an array of White stars up and down the barrel.
“The stars I wanted to do for, obviously, making the USA team and being on the Olympic team,” Chiddy said. “That has been a dream of mine since I was younger, and one of those dreams that you never think is going to come true.”
During her college years at the University of Michigan, Chiddy realized that her dream of playing with USA Softball wasn’t so farfetched anymore. As a college standout, Chiddy had the chance to prove herself against some of the game’s best players. She now has nearly a decade of experience with USA Softball.
“It’s been such a long process from the moment I graduated to still playing right now,” Chiddy said. “It’s been amazing. Having that dream come true, I wanted to put those stars on there.”
The knob of the signature bat features Chiddy’s number 4 and a red heart. The Red, White and Blue bat also features yellow accents on the connection and end cap, a nod to her Michigan career. Chiddy finished off the unique bat with a signature of her name, “Chiddy,” in Yellow on the barrel.
“I have been known my whole life in the softball world as ‘Chiddy,’ and I wanted ‘Chiddy’ on this bat,” Chidester said. “That has been the dream.”
When Chiddy first saw her signature bat, she was almost surprised to see her custom creation come to life.
“It’s been such a long time coming with COVID and everything,” Chiddy said. “In the moment, it was awesome to see it, then it took some time for it to actually sink in.”
Chiddy finally got the chance to break out her signature bat in a scrimmage this spring, and it didn’t take her long to do what she does best. With one out in the third inning against Mexico, Chiddy launched a rocket of home run to center field.
Stay tuned for more from Chiddy and DeMarini this year, and keep up with USA Softball as they take on the world’s best this summer. Follow Chiddy on Instagram @chiddy3, and build your own custom bat at demarinicustombats.com.
