TO:
League Presidents and District, State & Regional Commissioners
FROM:
Steven M. Tellefsen, President/CEO
DATE:
January 14, 2011
RE: Composite Bats
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The International Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League Inc. has issued a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Cal Ripken Division (4-12) of Babe Ruth Baseball effective immediately. This moratorium shall be in effect until further notice by Babe Ruth Headquarters.
This decision is based on scientific data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell). 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 can exceed the standard after a break-in process.
“While we are certainly aware of the timing of this announcement, Babe Ruth League must act in the best interest of the young people we serve,” Steven M. Tellefsen, President/CEO Babe Ruth League said. “The decision is based on the fact that scientific research showed that composite-barreled bats may exceed the performance standard after being broken in.”
On October 26, 2010, Babe Ruth League Inc. placed a moratorium on composite bats in our 13-15 and 16-18 divisions with all approved models listed at www.nfhs.org.
Please click here for a listing of licensed baseball bats approved for use in the Cal Ripken (Majors) Division and below.
The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball division of Babe Ruth League Inc. does not apply to any softball divisions of Babe Ruth.
NOTE: The moratorium on composite bats only applies to composite barreled bats. Bats that have only a metal/alloy in the barrel (and no other material, unless it is in the end cap of the bat) are not subject to the moratorium, regardless of the composition of the handle.
SMT
cc: Board of Directors
Enclosure
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