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Changes for 2012 Season
In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League
International today announced the bat specifications and standards for
the 2012 season.
Here are the highlights, followed by the actual text of the 2012 baseball
bat rules:
For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The
moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats remains in effect.
However, some composite-barreled baseball bats that have been
proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor)
standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In
(ABI) process, have received waivers. That list is here:
Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4 Bats.
Note that in the Little League Majors Baseball Division and below, there
is no limit on the “drop” weight of any bat.
For Junior League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect the
changes that were anticipated and published two years ago regarding
bats with 2 5/8 inch barrels. As a result, composite-barreled baseball
bats in this division, regardless of barrel size, must meet BBCOR
(Batted Ball Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so
labeled. Note that all composite-barreled baseball bats that meet the
BBCOR standard have a “drop” of no more than “minus-3.” However, in
the Junior League Baseball division, bats that do not have composite
materials in the barrel (i.e., all metal, all alloy, all wood), and meet all
other applicable standards, can have ANY drop weight. Bats with a
barrel of less than 2 5/8 inches also can be used in the Junior League
Baseball Division, but must still comply with all other specifications
noted.
Tamper-Evident Bats: Because the technology to create bats that show
evidence of tampering is not yet available, this aspect of the rules that
was anticipated and published two years ago, and again last year, will
not apply in 2012.
Penalty for Use of an Illegal Bat: Previously, the penalty for the use of an
illegal bat was simply to remove the bat from the game. In 2012, the
penalty has been increased as noted in the rules below.
Definition of an Illegal Bat: To narrow the definition of an illegal bat, a
new entry was added to Rule 2.00, specifically describing an illegal bat
for the purposes of imposing the penalty. As a result, the definition
includes altered bats, but excludes a bat that: is no longer smooth
because of normal use; is cracked or dented because of normal use;
has a handle that has a smaller diameter than the measurement noted
in the specifications; or, has material on the grip (or no material) that
does not meet the specifications.
Licensed Bats: As it has for decades, Little League is publishing a list
of licensed bats, all of which have a barrel diameter of 2 1/4 inches.
This is not a list of all bats that can be used. As long as the bat meets
all the specifications and standards for the specific division of play in
question, it need not carry the Little League trademark. (Note that Little
League does not license any bats with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches.) The
list of licensed 2 1/4 bats can be downloaded as a PDF here: All
Licensed 2 1/4 Bats.
Click here for more information
Click here for a list of approved composite bats for Majors and below
Click here for a list of approved non wood bats for Majors and below
Click here for a list of approved composite bats for Juniors
In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League
International today announced the bat specifications and standards for
the 2012 season.
Here are the highlights, followed by the actual text of the 2012 baseball
bat rules:
For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The
moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats remains in effect.
However, some composite-barreled baseball bats that have been
proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor)
standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In
(ABI) process, have received waivers. That list is here:
Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4 Bats.
Note that in the Little League Majors Baseball Division and below, there
is no limit on the “drop” weight of any bat.
For Junior League Baseball: The rule was updated to reflect the
changes that were anticipated and published two years ago regarding
bats with 2 5/8 inch barrels. As a result, composite-barreled baseball
bats in this division, regardless of barrel size, must meet BBCOR
(Batted Ball Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so
labeled. Note that all composite-barreled baseball bats that meet the
BBCOR standard have a “drop” of no more than “minus-3.” However, in
the Junior League Baseball division, bats that do not have composite
materials in the barrel (i.e., all metal, all alloy, all wood), and meet all
other applicable standards, can have ANY drop weight. Bats with a
barrel of less than 2 5/8 inches also can be used in the Junior League
Baseball Division, but must still comply with all other specifications
noted.
Tamper-Evident Bats: Because the technology to create bats that show
evidence of tampering is not yet available, this aspect of the rules that
was anticipated and published two years ago, and again last year, will
not apply in 2012.
Penalty for Use of an Illegal Bat: Previously, the penalty for the use of an
illegal bat was simply to remove the bat from the game. In 2012, the
penalty has been increased as noted in the rules below.
Definition of an Illegal Bat: To narrow the definition of an illegal bat, a
new entry was added to Rule 2.00, specifically describing an illegal bat
for the purposes of imposing the penalty. As a result, the definition
includes altered bats, but excludes a bat that: is no longer smooth
because of normal use; is cracked or dented because of normal use;
has a handle that has a smaller diameter than the measurement noted
in the specifications; or, has material on the grip (or no material) that
does not meet the specifications.
Licensed Bats: As it has for decades, Little League is publishing a list
of licensed bats, all of which have a barrel diameter of 2 1/4 inches.
This is not a list of all bats that can be used. As long as the bat meets
all the specifications and standards for the specific division of play in
question, it need not carry the Little League trademark. (Note that Little
League does not license any bats with a diameter of 2 5/8 inches.) The
list of licensed 2 1/4 bats can be downloaded as a PDF here: All
Licensed 2 1/4 Bats.
Click here for more information
Click here for a list of approved composite bats for Majors and below
Click here for a list of approved non wood bats for Majors and below
Click here for a list of approved composite bats for Juniors
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