email: brentmchappell@yahoo.com
Q: What is BBCOR?
A: BBCOR stands for Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution. This new bat standard replaces the previous BESR standard and is designed to achieve wood-like performance in non-wood bats. Beginning January 1, 2011 for college play and January 1, 2012 for high school play, all bats must be BBCOR certified.
A qualified BBCOR bat is a Big Barrel bat that is made by an approved bat licensee, has a BBCOR mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NFHS or NCAA as a legal bat for NFHS or NCAA sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat. Minimum bat length is 29 inches.
All BBCOR bats will incorporate a logo mark, once certification approval is granted. This mark will be consistent across every approved bat design so umpires will easily identify approved bats. The logo is below:
Q: What are the requirements for the USSSA baseball bat mark and what does it look like?
A: The new USSSA baseball bat marks and grandfathering rules are effective January 1, 2018. USSSA baseball bat mark and rules below:
Big Barrel Bat Rules (2⅝” or 2¾”) – 14U & Below
- Have the new permanent USSSA Mark on its taper OR
- Be a Qualified BBCOR bat OR
- Be a Wood Bat
- ALL of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee
*This applies to ALL Big Barrel Bats, including Coach Pitch bats.
Big Barrel Bat Rules (2⅝” or 2¾”) – 15U & Above
- Must be NHSF approved with the appropriate BBCOR certification mark OR
- Be a Wood Bat
- Both of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee
Small Barrel Baseball Bat Rules (2¼” or less)
- Have the new permanent(2) USSSA mark on its taper(3) OR
- Be a Wood Bat
- Both of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee
*Bats which meet these rules will be allowed in USSSA play, unless the bat is listed on the USSSA Withdrawn/Non-Compliant Bats List (found under Licensed Equipment – New Bat Rules section of the USSSA Baseball website) as a bat withdrawn by the manufacturer or found by USSSA to be non-compliant. No bat is legal in USSSA if there is any ball suggestion, limitation or requirement on the bat in permanent or other form placed on the bat by the manufacturer or otherwise set forth in any written materials of the manufacturer about the use of a bat.
*Qualified BBCOR bat – A Big Barrel bat that is made by a USSSA approved bat licensee, has a BBCOR mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NHSF as a legal bat for NHSF sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat. Minimum bat length is 29 inches. With the approval of USSSA National, certain 14U and an even more limited number of 13U tournaments may be run allowing only BBCOR and wood bats from approved USSSA Bat Licensees.
Q: What are the requirements for Little League (and all leagues other than USSSA) baseball bats?
A: Effective on January 1, 2018, Little League Baseball® will adhere to the new USABat standard. No bats previously approved for use in Little League play (Junior League Baseball and below) will be permitted to be used in any Little League game or practice, or other Little League function, event, or activity.
As of January 1, 2018, USABat Standard bats must be used in the Little League Major Baseball Division and below. Either USABat Standard bats or BBCOR bats must be used at the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and Junior League Baseball Divisions. At the Senior League Baseball Division, all bats must be meet the BBCOR standard.
Approved bats will have the USABat licensing mark on them.
