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Little League following suit.

S Sugi100+ posts
Saw this posted on another forum.Something to consider for those purchasing bats in the near future.I think alot of the youth baseball leagues will follow as well sooner or later.

September 1, 2010



TO: Local Little League Presidents, District Administrators, and Regional Field Staff



FROM: Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations, Little League International



RE: Moratorium on Composite Bats in the Junior League, Senior League, and Big League Divisions of Baseball



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.



Waivers of the moratorium may be considered by Little League International in certain circumstances. For 2011, a manufacturer may apply for a waiver of the moratorium for a particular model of composite bat if all of the requirements for a waiver, as established by Little League International, are satisfied. Composite bats that are certified by an approved independent testing laboratory as meeting the current Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR), and the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) procedure, will be eligible for the waiver in 2011. Little League International will provide a list of bat models, if any, that receive waivers of the moratorium.



Not covered under the Little League moratorium are wood bats, metal bats, or bats that have composite materials in the handle only. A composite bat is one that has a metal shell, but a woven composite of fibers on the inside of the barrel portion of the bat.



Currently, the moratorium on composite bats does not apply to the Little League Baseball (Majors) Division and below, nor does it apply to any division of softball. Little League International, in consultation with independent experts, anticipates being able to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats in the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, prior to the start of the 2011 season.



Sincerely,

Patrick W. Wilson

Vice President of Operations
Original Post

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J journey2100+ posts
For one I don't see this as anything but a mirror of the NFHS ruling.

There are some that are so quick to predict the end for all composites for all ages & associations of baseball, but notice the California HS bunch (CIF) have already issued wavers for use of the the full composite -3 CF4. Just don't see the bat mfgers not coming out with more composites, ones that will meet the reg's.
PD PA Dino500+ posts
Any organization charged with promulgating rules and regulations for any age group of baseball i.e. LL International, should eventually fall in step with the moratorium. They have buried their head in the sand long enough regarding the danger posed with these composite bats. These bats are easy to motify by accelerated break in rolling machines. The methods were perfected in adult softball leagues just like years before when shaving and forged spray paint jobs were the predecessors of bat rolling machines. Tool and die workers are particularly adept at these adjustments.

Wood bat performance is the standard. All levels of baseball should adopt the wood bat and make this constant certification of aluminum, metal, composite bats obsolete. I've heard all the arguements including cost and don't buy it. The new bats are complete duds. Lots of complaints are being made already and a new emphasis on small ball will be reflected in statistics in the Spring of 2011.

The non wood bats in service should be subject to confiscation and analysis if they are involved in an incident resulting in serious injury. An investigation would remove all doubt whether the bat was a contributing factor. Statistics need to be kept. Imagine if a pitcher was struck in the head with a line drive from a composite bat that was illegally rolled or otherwise modified. The family of that player should have that evidence available to them for any future action. One successful lawsuit might just bring the wood bat back for good. Injuries will still happen but they will be inherent in the game itself and consistent with the game and not introduced by human intervention. These are the risks players accept, not the ones resulting from bats designed to tilt the odds in the batters favor simply because a high scoring long ball game is more appealing than a defensive pitcher's duel in one's opinion.
F freddy775,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Wklink:
In five years you won't see composites in any youth baseball I suspect.


I don't think you'll see an end of composites in youth baseball. You will however see an end of composites that internally delaminate and improve during the life of the bat due to the impact with the ball.

Composites will continue to be popular in youth baseball because they can be manufactured with larger sweetspots than alloy bats. Also, it's much easier to design and build acceptably durable composite bats with the maximum allowed trampoline effect than it is to build similarly durable and performing alloy bats.

With alloy bats, they've exhausted the metalurgical possibilities of designing alloys that will allow the walls to be even thinner and springier without excessive denting. Composite technology, however, IMO is not similarly exhausted.
Last edited by freddy77
WklinkWklink500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by freddy77:
quote:
Originally posted by Wklink:
In five years you won't see composites in any youth baseball I suspect.


I don't think you'll see an end of composites in youth baseball. You will however see an end of composites that internally delaminate and improve during the life of the bat due to the impact with the ball.

Composites will continue to be popular in youth baseball because they can be manufactured with larger sweetspots than alloy bats. Also, it's much easier to design and build acceptably durable composite bats with the maximum allowed trampoline effect than it is to build similarly durable and performing alloy bats.

With alloy bats, they've exhausted the metalurgical possibilities of designing alloys that will allow the walls to be even thinner and springier without excessive denting. Composite technology, however, IMO is not similarly exhausted.


Maybe and that is acceptable I suppose. I get tired of holding my breath every time my 13 year old goes to the mound to pitch. When you see a 6'1, 165 lb 14 year old holding a -9 CF4 that you know has been rolled you get a little nervous.

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