Swing Gold: Valerie Arioto's Signature DeMarini Bat

Learn about the signature CF fastpitch bat built for USA Softball's Valerie Arioto.

USA Softball cleanup hitter Valerie Arioto has a decade of international experience and two world championships under her belt, and the first baseman is on a mission to lead the Americans to another title in 2021. With DeMarini, Arioto built an all-new signature CF fastpitch bat to show off her championship-caliber swing.

When Arioto visited the DeMarini offices in 2019 to begin the design process for her unique bat, she was immediately drawn to a gold barrel sitting on one of the office tables. The gold color popped right away and made her think of the ultimate goal – a championship.

“Obviously our goal with Team USA is to win gold,” Arioto said. “Just to have that reminder there as a physical cue is really important.”

Arioto decided to make gold the focal point of the bat, using the color as the base layer for the entire barrel. When coming up with her design, Arioto wanted something to showcase her personality and playing style. She ultimately decided on a cheetah print pattern up and down the gold barrel.

"I started thinking, ‘This is my bat, so I'm going to go with what I want,’” Arioto said. “I was super excited when I finally saw the completed product.”

Arioto thinks of herself as a fierce competitor, and the cheetah print design represents how she wants people to view her as a player. Looking to play with energy and have a good time on the softball field, Valerie wanted her bat to reflect the fun side to her game.

“The cheetah is just like my personality, just fierce and feisty,” Arioto said. “I think like this whole bat just represents that.”

Arioto put the finishing touch on her custom bat with her signature on the barrel and a black and grey cheetah print design on the end cap.

“I kept it black everywhere else just to keep it sleek and all cohesive,” Arioto said. “Obviously, it was so awesome that I was able to have my signature and customize it that way.”

Since debuting her new signature bat at practices and scrimmages this spring, Arioto has received plenty of positive responses from friends and fans. People have asked her how and when they can pick up their own copies of the signature bat.

“I’m just really excited to show it off to everyone, and I’ve already gotten some really great feedback when I’ve posted it on my social media,” Arioto said. “In staying with who I am and what I really love in creating this bat, I think it has turned into something that people actually do really like.”

When Arioto steps up to the plate this summer, she’ll be able to swing her signature cheetah print DeMarini against some of the game’s best pitchers. Valerie said she can’t wait to use the new CF, and she knows young hitters are going to love how it swings.

“The product itself is really, really great,” Arioto said. “People are going to love how the ball comes off the bat.”

Keep up with Arioto and USA Softball this summer by following Arioto on Instagram @valeriearioto. Build your own custom DeMarini bat at demarinicustombats.com.