No surprise that Little League has, as of 12/30/10, banned composite bats in their Major League division (9-12 years old). This was just a matter of time. Although they are calling it a moritoriam it is unlikely to ever be reversed. Here is their official announcement:
Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective immediately.
“Today’s decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “The maximum performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in process.”
Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research last September.
“From the beginning, and throughout this process, we wanted to keep everyone informed,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “Our intent was to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats. There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our leagues know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any.”
On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium on composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that moratorium, some composite bat models have received a waiver and may be used in those divisions. Information on the composite bats that have received waivers for the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm
At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors) Division and below have received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a waiver, Little League International will inform its leagues of that decision.
The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.
Here are the official rules by league.
My question to Little Leauge International would be why wasn’t this research conducted before the Combat composite little leauge bats were declared legal. Thousands if not tens of thousands of people like myself shelled out approximately $200.00 of hard earned money. I feel completely misled by Little Leauge as I would not have purchased this bat if I knew he could only use it for one year. If the bat exceeds the standard after it is broken in than why wasn’t it thoroughly tested in the first place? In my opinion Little League International has to be held responsible for this as apparently the intial testing done on the bats was less than adequate. How significant of a difference is there in the composite bats compared to the others? I’m sure all of the other poeople that bought these expensive bats only to learn they are now illegal would love to get their money back. If Little Leauge is truly concerned about safety, then test the bats thoroughly in the first place before saying they are allowed.
I have to agree witheric postma. My son saved his allowance all summer in order to purchase a combat composit bat! He was told by his coachs that is was the best bat to buy. He was finally able to save enough money to purchse his first combat in August. For Christmas he received a second combat. Our baseball season runs from April – June, with no contact with LL until the following year. Half of my sons teammates/friends received new bats for Christmas.
Thanks Liitle League International for not doing your job in a timely manner. Thanks combat for knowing this was going to happen and selling them anyway.
Eric, You should be misled by Combat, Not Little League. They did this only for safety, you bought your bat to give your kid an unfair advantage over others because you can buy the 2200 plus dollar bat.We should be praising LL for taking this stand, not crucifying them. Also, If you actually bought this bat with not knowing about this impending ruling, then you aren’t a very smart consumer as there have been rumors for at least two years!
Kris,
Do you really believe Little League didn’t know the dangers of composite bats when the approved them 3 years ago? Really?
Adult Composite bats have been around for almost a decade. Miken composite bats were banned in Adult Softball leagues back in 2002 (the ULTRA Model) until the manufacturer modified the bats meet exit speed specifications. In the mean time players had to purchase new bats – sound familiar?
Did you know there are web sites that offer “Rolling Services” for composite bats to break them in? I wonder how they figured that out before Little League? Hmmm…..
Composite bats have been in used in Little League play for at least 3 years. Do you really think it took them that long find out about the break-in period of the composite bat? I wonder if a Combat Representative ever took a Little League bigwig out to dinner? Hmm…….
Bottom line – Little League should be held responsible for every composite bat purchased by the players! The bat should not have been approved period!
Finally, you are ripping a parent for “trying to give his kid an unfair advantage”. Perhaps you’d like to tell him what kind of bat he should purchase that would be fair for everyone? Please let me know because I need a new Little League approved bat too.
any one who says they bought an unapproved bat, should look at the receipt. there r warranties. i agree with kris. return the bat if possible!
Unfair advantage is not the arguement that shouldnt be used here.We all want our children to have the best chance and some can and some cant.Its life, if it hurt you you shouldnt have bought it anyway.Same with nike cleats and the $200 gloves we purchase. Recognize this is a business and the world isnt fair and if you do not like the rules send your kids to the soccer camp where they dont keep score.
Kris was right,there have been rumors for two years.LL did do it for safety and it wouldnt bother me if everyone went to wood.They wont because little johnny cant hit it past the pithcer with the big heavy wood bat. Ha,mad at Combat.Burned by your greed!Sell it on ebay and lesson learned!
is a b3 combat 30in\18oz able to be used in little league 11 year old (dictrict 5)