The Rules – Bat Regulations for 2012

Wondering what is legal this season with some of the major governing bodies in 2012?  To help make it a little bit easier to understand, here are the bat regulations for some of the largest amateur baseball organizations in 2012.

National Collegiate Athletic Association:
The Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard remains in effect.  This new standard was announced in September 2008.  All bats must meet this standard, which includes the Accelerated Break-in (ABI) procedure.  For a bat to be legal in the 2012 season, it must be BBCOR approved.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics:
The NAIA follows the NCAA standard.

National Junior College Athletic Association:
The NJCAA follows the NCAA standard.

National Federation of High School Athletic Association (NFHS):
After last year’s transition period, the NFHS will now allow only bats that meet the BBCOR standard.

State High School Federations:
California went past the NFHS and required that bats must meet the BBCOR standards that include the ABI procedure last year.  Virginia and Tennessee followed suit.  Now all state federations will follow the BBCOR standard.  There are at least three governing bodies that will use only wood bats this season:  New York City public schools, New Mexico and North Dakota.

American Amateur Baseball Congress:
The AABC voted last year to ban all metal composite bats in all divisions in national competition.  It also added the Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. division to the Stan Musial, Connie Mack and Don Mattingly divisions, which use only wood, laminate or composite wood bats.  they cannot exceed 42 inches in length or 2 3/4 inches in diameter.

Amateur Athletic Union:
For divisions 15U and older, NFHS regulations are followed.  There are no bat restrictions for divisions 14U and younger.

Babe Ruth Baseball:
For the Cal Ripken Division, bats may not be more than 33 inches in length, nor have a bat barrel in excess of 2 1/4  inches in diameter.  Only 2 1/4 inch barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed.  Wood 2 1/4 inch barrel bats are allowed.  For the 13-15 division, bats may not exceed34 inches in length, and the barrel may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter.  All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle-only aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed.  Only composite barrel bats certified and marked as BBCOR .50 will be allowed.  Wood barrel bats are allowed.  For the 16-18 division, the bat may not exceed 34 inches in length and the barrel may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter or be greater than a -3 length to weight ration.  Only composite bats certified and marked as BBCOR .50 are allowed.  Wood barrel bats are allowed.

Little League Baseball:
Little League International places a moratorium on most compoiste bats for all of its division last year, and it remains in effect.  For the Little League Division and below, some composite-barrel bats that have proven in testing to meet performance standards through the ABI process have received waivers.  for Junior League, bats may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and compoiste-barrel bats must be -3 and must meet BBCOR standards and be so labeled.  bgats that do not have compoiste materials in the barrel and meet other applicable standards can have any length/weight ratio.  For Senior League, bats may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and all non-wood bats must be -3 and must meet BBCOR standards and be so labeled.

Pony Baseball:
Wood, metal, graphite or ceramic bats manufactured for baseball play, which are round and not more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable.  Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine.  Coach-pitch bats will only be used in coatch pitch using a safety ball.  only 2 1/4 inch barrel non-wood bats which are manufactured to achieve a Bat Performance Factor of 1.15 or less through the life of the bat are approved for play in Pony Baseball division.  All non-wood bats must be stamped “approved for play in Pony Baseball” and “BPF 1.15” and the year manufactured.  All -3 bats must be BBCOR certified.  The bats, which may be  wood or non-wood, shall not be more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter at the barrel.  All non-wood bats shall meet the BBCOR standard.  All BBCOR bats shall be labeled with a silk screen or other permanent mark.  Any bat 2 3/4 inches in diameter is prohibited in all Pony-sanctioned leagues.

*Please note that if you don’t see your organization listed here, if you need more information or for the latest news, consult your organization’s website.