Download the 3-1-11 list of ALL approved bats (includes wood, aluminum, aluminum barrel only {'half & half'}, solid-core composite and hollow-core composite bats)

Download the 3-1-11 list of approved COMPOSITE bats (includes solid-core and hollow-core composite bats only)

 

Aluminum bats that are BESR certified and appropriately labeled as such are legal for play in the 2011 season

Any aluminum bat that meets the 2012 standard (BBCOR and is appropriately labeled) is legal for play in the 2011 season.

Bats which have an aluminum barrel and composite handle and are BESR certified are legal for play in the 2011 season.  (Most of these are labeled as “half and half”) The concern is with the BARREL of the bat, NOT the handle or taper.

If a bat uses the word “alloy” for the composition of the bat or the barrel of the bat, then that bat is considered to be an aluminum bat or have an aluminum barrel

Any approved BESR or BBCOR certified bat is LEGAL that has NON-CYLINDRICAL parts such as the handle and taper. This would include bats with holes in the taper, the taper has flat surfaces, and/or the handle is “V” shaped.

Any composite bat that meets the 2012 standard (BBCOR and appropriately labeled) is legal for play in the 2011 season.

The BBCOR performance standard positions the performance of non-wood bats to the high end of wood bat performance

Composite Bat BBCOR standard requires compliance with Accelerated Break In (ABI) testing; i.e., the bat remains within the performance limits throughout its life.  Current composite bats exceed the top performance limit with use.

Tamper evident technology is required to be able to detect bats that have been altered (rolled or shaved) to illegally improve performance beyond the accepted limits.  This will enable officials to detect bats that have been tampered with or altered and create a higher risk to participants and an advantage to the offense that is illegal and not intended by rule.

Solid core (not hollow) composite bats that are BESR certified and labeled are legal for play in the 2011 season

There are certain BESR hollow composite bats that have passed the ABI testing and have been granted approval for play in 2011.

Composite Bat BBCOR standard requires compliance with Accelerated Break In (ABI) testing; i.e., the bat remains within the performance limits throughout its life.  Current composite bats exceed the top performance limit with use.

NOTE: The majority of hollow composite BESR bats are illegal

It is the responsibility of the Head Coaches to have at each game a copy of Approved Bat List.

If no list is available and there is a question as to a bat’s legality, it is the Umpire’s judgment as to whether the bat is legal for play.

It is NOT the officials’ role to carry the approved list with them.

Any approved BESR or BBCOR certified bat is LEGAL that has NON-CYLINDRICAL parts such as the handle and taper. This would include bats with holes in the taper, the taper has flat surfaces, and/or the handle is “V” shaped.

Wood bats shall be made out of one piece of wood

Wood bats shall be no more that 2-3/4 inch in diameter (it can be less, but not more)

Wood bats shall be no longer than 36 inches in length

There is NO weight standard for wooden bats

Bats that are altered from the manufacturer’s design and production, or that do not meet the rule specifications, are illegal (See Rule 7-4-1a)