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By
Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
November 2, 2011
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.
-
For
Senior League Baseball and Big 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, all bats with
non-wood barrels must meet BBCOR (Batted Ball
Co-Efficient of Restitution) standards, and must be so
labeled. Because all BBCOR bats have a “drop” of
no more than “minus-3,” this means all non-wood
bats in these divisions must have a drop of no more
than minus-3.
-
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.
The rules
regarding baseball bats for 2012 are:
Rule
1.10 - Baseball - The bat must be a
baseball bat which meets Little League specifications
and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a
smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of material
and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League
standards.
Little
League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more
than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than
two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood
bats shall be labeled with a BPF (bat performance
factor) of 1.15 or less; EXCEPTION: For the
2011-2012 Little League (Majors) and below, for regular
season play and Tournament, composite bats are
prohibited unless approved by Little League
International.
A
list of approved and licensed composite bats can be
found on the Little League website at
www.littleleague.org.
Junior
League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in
length; nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if
wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in
diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its
smallest part. All composite bats shall meet the Batted
Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance
standard, and such bats shall be so labeled with a
silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The
certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a
half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the
bat in any contrasting color.
Senior/Big
League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in
length, nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if
wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in
diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its
smallest part. The bat shall not weigh, numerically,
more than three ounces less than the length of the bat
(e.g., a 33-inch-long bat cannot weigh less than 30
ounces). All bats not made of a single piece of wood
shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR)
performance standard, and such bats shall be so labeled
with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark.
The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum
of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of
the bat in any contrasting color. Aluminum and composite
bats shall be marked as to their material makeup being
aluminum or composite. This marking shall be silkscreen
or other permanent certification mark, a minimum of
one-half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of
the bat in any contrasting color.
In all
divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a
sleeve for a distance not exceeding sixteen (16) inches
(18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from
the small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork,
tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum
of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or
similar material is prohibited.
NOTE
1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2 3/4 inch in
diameter bat is not allowed in any division.
NOTE
2: The traditional batting donut is not
permissible
NOTE
3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League
Tee Ball.”
NOTE
4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to
time. Bats that cannot pass through the approved Little
League bat ring for the appropriate division must be
removed from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used
for bats in the Tee Ball, Minor League and Little League
Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring must be used
for bats in the Junior, Senior and Big League divisions
of baseball.
NOTE
5: An illegal bat must be removed. Any bat that
has been altered shall be removed from play. Penalty –
See Rule – 6.06 (d).
Rule
2.00 Definition of Illegal Bat
Illegal Bat – An Illegal bat is a bat that has been
altered or a bat that is not approved for play because
it does not meet specifications with regard to length,
weight, barrel diameter, labeling or performance
standard for the division in which it is used.
Rule
6.06 – Baseball - The batter is out for
illegal action when –
(d) The batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal
bat (see bat specifications Rule 1.10) or is discovered
having used an illegal bat.
Note: If the infraction is discovered
before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the
player who used an illegal bat -
-
The
manager of the defense may advise the plate umpire of
a decision to decline the penalty and accept the play.
Such election shall be made immediately at the end of
the play.
-
For the
first violation, the offensive team will lose one
eligible adult base coach for the duration of the
game.
-
For the
second violation, the manager of the team will be
ejected from the game. Any subsequent violation will
result in the newly designated manager being ejected.
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