Tag Archives: little leauge

2012 Youth Baseball Bat Rules and BBCOR Standards

2012 Youth Baseball Bat Rules and BBCOR Standards

Baseball leagues around the country have seen plenty of changes over the past year or so. Most have focused on BBCOR bats, but there are changes across the board.

Citing safety concerns caused by the exit speeds of some composite bats, some leagues have banned composite-barreled baseball bats. Others have not. Add in the new BBCOR performance standard, and things can quickly get confusing.

This post is a guide for parents, guardians and players looking for new bats or making sure their current bats will be legal.

Little League
Heading into the 2012 baseball season, Little League’s bat rules look like this:

  • Minor League Baseball — Composite-barreled bats will be banned; some have been re-allowed
  • 9-10 Year Old Baseball Division — Composite-barreled bats will be banned; some have been re-allowed
  • Little League Baseball (Majors) — Composite-barreled bats will be banned; some have been re-allowed
  • Junior League Baseball — Composite-barreled bats will be banned; some have been re-allowed; and all BBCOR certified bats will be allowed
  • Senior League Baseball — All bats must be BBCOR certified
  • Big League Baseball — All bats must be BBCOR certified

Continue reading →

Little League Bans Compsosite Bats in Major Division.

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:

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
December 30, 2010

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.” Continue reading →

Little League Bans Composite Bats in 13 – 18 Year Old Divisons.

Little League baseball has banned (or suspended) composite bat use in their Junior League (13-14), Senior League (15-16) and Big League (17-18) divisions. It does NOT apply to their Major League (9-12) division which is where most kids play. Their statement, released on September 1, 2010 is listed below:

A moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League was enacted on Aug. 27, 2010, by the Little League International Board of Directors, effective immediately. The moratorium shall be in effect until further notice by Little League International.

The moratorium covers all games and practices only in the three divisions referenced above. It closely follows a similar moratorium approved in July 2010 by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), based on a recommendation from its Baseball Rules Committee. The NFHS Board enacted a rule to prohibit the use of composite bats until they can produce consistent compliance with the standards through the life of the bat. Continue reading →