High School Bat Restrictions

Milt, what do you mean new bat restrictions; do you mean something along the lines of high school players cannot use composite bats or multi wall bats or am I totally off?

Something to do with rebound coefficient (layman's terms - the ball is coming off the bat with too much velocity). I thought I had heard something about this earlier this year. Am I off base?

Someone sent me the following:

2010 Baseball Rules Changes Include Bat Standards Adjustment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elliot Hopkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 6, 2009) — The clarification of baseball bat specifications was among four rules adjusted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee at its annual meeting June 7-9 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

A change to Rule 1-3-2 regarding bat specifications was made in the hope it will clarify bat compliance. The rule, which will be effective January 1, 2012, specifies that the bat should be a “smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob.”

“The committee was looking to clarify the rule and make the purchase of bats an easier process,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “We want to make sure that kids and parents know what is permissible.”

The change will also require that all non-wood bats meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, which is the standard used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Formerly, non-wood bats had to meet the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) standard.

The new rule also states that non-wood bats must be labeled with a rectangular certification mark “a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.” The new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities.

“After working with the NCAA and having access to its research, we’ve concluded it’s in our best interest to make this change,” Hopkins said. “BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we’re actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more appropriate for our age and skill level.”

quote:

Originally posted by Milt:
Have heard that new bat standards will be in place for the 2012 high school season making many if not all of the bats used today non-conforming (illegal). Does anyone have any info on the new regulations and are the manufacturers making products today that comply with the new regs?

Anderson Bat Company Nanoteck -3, non composite, great bat.

Does saying the bat must be a smooth cylinder mean that 2-piece bats will be illegal? Or does that just mean if a bat is dented or cracked, its illegal?

Seems like that could be open to interpretation.

TD25 - the good news is that we don't have to interpret what the rule means. We simply have to find a bat that has the certification mark on it which makes it acceptable for high school play. The way I read it, in 2012, no certification mark means can't use the bat in competition.

quote:

Originally posted by Milt:
TD25 - the good news is that we don't have to interpret what the rule means. We simply have to find a bat that has the certification mark on it which makes it acceptable for high school play. The way I read it, in 2012, no certification mark means can't use the bat in competition.

I wonder if there will be older grandfathered bats allowed that meet the 2012 BBCOR but just don't have the new certification mark stamped on. It would really make sense if they put out a list of grandfathered bats.

I wonder how much the bat-making industry influenced this decision. Now all of a sudden in 2012, all old bats are useless and everyone has to buy new ones. A gold mine for these bat companies. How much money did the bat companies put in the pockets of NFHS officials?....

College baseball has already gone to these standards so most of the major companies have atleast one bat on the market. There will not be any bats grandfathered in at this point. Composite bats will still be allowed unlike the college level.

Should we take this to mean that down the road - not too far - Little Leagues and AAU will follow the same rule?

No bats out today meet the new standard and you will need to purchase a new bat for the 2012 HS season.

Everything you never wanted to know about the new BBCOR rati ngs.

http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files...20FINAL%205%2009.pdf

The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee meeting made two bat specification adjustments during the annual meeting. The two changes are to use the BBCOR certification, like NCAA, and that bats must be labeled with a rectangular certification mark. These rule changes are effective January 1, 2012 (the 2012 high school season)

https://www.nchsaa.org/intrane...8&type=5&atomID=9286

Have any of the bat companies started labeling their bats that meet the new standard with the BBCOR label?

quote:

Originally posted by td25:
I wonder if there will be older grandfathered bats allowed that meet the 2012 BBCOR but just don't have the new certification mark stamped on. It would really make sense if they put out a list of grandfathered bats.

I wonder how much the bat-making industry influenced this decision. Now all of a sudden in 2012, all old bats are useless and everyone has to buy new ones. A gold mine for these bat companies. How much money did the bat companies put in the pockets of NFHS officials?....

NO, any old BESR lableled bat will not be approved for NFHS play..... That is why the rule takes effect 2 years from now so that your present bat will most likely be worn out....

Its a horrible idea to try and grandfather bats in....its either legal or its not....the softball situation holds this to be true....the list of illegal bats is longer than the legal list...

As to the bat companies paying NFHS officals, I believe you couldnt be more wrong.....

If left to their own devices (which was the case years ago) the bat companies invent and market rocket launchers that let a little Johnny hit homeruns instead of routine fly balls...

If you are looking to blame anyone for the sales of bats, look to the bat company first.....new graphics, new 2 piece handles, molded frips triangular shafts, open holed shafts, thin wall, double wall...planned obsolence...and there is nothing wrong with that....freshman economics 101....sales....

That being said, No company wants outside regulation on the performance of their products.....everyone wants to be innovative and cutting edge.......and making them redesign bats to make respond more like wood is not well recieived....

If the NFHS/NCAA were in an illegal kickback arrangement, the rule would have taken effect this year.....forcing you to buy the bat today rather than 2 years from now....

An unintended consequence - The new BBCOR ratings now make the rules committees (vs the bat makers) responsible for any injuries to players.

If the NFHS is so persistent about getting rid of composite bats and everyone basically has to buy a new bat why don't they just which high school to wood? I think they already did it in several states.

quote:

Originally posted by kevins1:
If the NFHS is so persistent about getting rid of composite bats and everyone basically has to buy a new bat why don't they just which high school to wood? I think they already did it in several states.

Cost?

quote:

Originally posted by kevins1:
If the NFHS is so persistent about getting rid of composite bats and everyone basically has to buy a new bat why don't they just which high school to wood? I think they already did it in several states.

NFHS has not yet included any composite bats in the new regulations.......