Category Archives: Rule Changes

Learn about all the new rule changes that are going into play for your up coming baseball or softball season.

Little League International Announces 2012 Bat Rules

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Little League International just announced a change to the bat rules for the 2012 season. I wanted to take a second to explain the change to make sure all our customers know what they can swing.

The rule only applies to the Little League organization. The kids that are apart of Little League and play with big barrel bats now have to swing BBCOR.  Three divisions were effected: Junior (13-14), Senior League (14-16), and Big League (16-18). Any participants in these three divisions will have to swing a BBCOR certified bat.

This is a pretty big deal.  Currently BBCOR bats are only available in -3 length to weight ratios and are typically designed for high school players. Considering the lightest youth 2 ¼” barrel bat is a -10, Little League is expecting kids to make a seven ounce jump in a year.

For all those effected don’t worry.  JustBats.com is here to help you find the right bat.  Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Check out Little League’s official press release here.

New USSSA Baseball Bat Marks & Grandfathering Rules

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New USSSA Baseball Bat Marks & Grandfathering Rules
Effective January 1, 2012

Big Barrel Bat Rules (2 5/8″ or 2 3/4″) – 14U & Below
Effective January 1, 2012

  • Have the new USSSA Mark on its taper OR
  • Be a Qualified BBCOR bat OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

ALL of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee
This applies to ALL Big Barrel Bats, including Coach Pitch bats.

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Big Barrel Bat Rules (2 5/8″ or 2 3/4″) – 15U & Above

  • Must be NHSF approved with the appropriate BBCOR certification mark OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

Both of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee

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Small Barrel Baseball Bat Rules (2 1/4″ or less)
For 2012 and 2013

  • Have the new USSSA Mark on its taper OR
  • Have the old USSSA mark OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

ALL of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee
This applies to tee ball bats longer than 23″.

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For 2014

  • Have the new USSSA Mark on its taper OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

Both of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee

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Qualified BBCOR bat – A Big Barrel bat that is made by a USSSA approved bat licensee, has a BBCOR mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NHSF as a legal bat for NHSF sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat. Minimum bat length is 29 inches.

 

New USSSA Softball Bat Marks & Grandfathering Rules
Effective January 1, 2012


Effective January 1, 2012

  • Have the new USSSA Mark on its taper OR
  • Have the old USSSA mark OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

ALL of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee

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Effective January 1, 2013

  • Have the new USSSA Mark on its taper OR
  • Be a Wood Bat

ALL of the above must be manufactured by an approved USSSA Bat Licensee