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11
Dec, 2017
New 2018 USA Baseball Bat Standards
USA BASEBALL BAT STANDARD
Effective January 1, 2018, the following leagues will be governed under one umbrella bat standard of USA Baseball (i.e. “
USABat
”).
AABC
Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken
Dixie Youth Baseball & Dixie Boys Baseball
Little League Baseball
PONY Baseball
That means if you’re 14 and under, are currently swinging a youth bat, and/or have plans to swing a youth bat in the future, this affects you! Here’s what you need to know:
CAN I STILL USE MY CURRENT BAT?
All current league-approved bats can be used through 12.31.17. After that, you must use a bat with a
USABat
compliance mark (see image below). Bats regulated by the new
USABat
standard will be available to purchase 09.01.17. If you’re using a USSSA bat, it will still be legal as
USSSA is not affected by this rule change.
WHAT THE NEW STANDARD WILL CHANGE AND WHY
The new
USABat
standard will create
wood-like performance
in youth baseball bats in order to make the game more uniform at the youth level and ensure the long-term integrity of the game. Similar to the BBCOR standard implemented in 2011, USA Bat regulates how much trampoline effect the barrel of a bat has on a ball. Unlike the -3 length-to-weight ratio restriction for BBCOR bats,
USABat
will not have a drop weight limit
. Players within the affected organizations will also now be able to use a 2 1/4” or 2 5/8” barrel bat as long as it carries the
USABat
compliance mark.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A NEW BAT
New youth baseball bats under this standard will have less trampoline and consequently less ball exit speed. Balls fisted or in off the hands are much less likely to carry over the infield for hits. It will be more difficult to hit the ball far and with high velocity, but far from impossible.
HOW PLAYERS SHOULD PREPARE
Learn proper hitting mechanics! Be coachable and spend more time in the cage. Also, these bats are designed to perform more like wood, so a good way to prepare is by swinging a wood bat.
Wood bats
have smaller sweet spots, and to hit them effectively you must be more precise with your swing. They're also heavier, so every time you swing them, you’ll get stronger. A more precise swing combined with a stronger swing can help you make up that 10%
in
batted ball speed you lost under the
USABat
standard, so get cracking!
WHAT ABOUT TEE BALL BATS?
Tee ball bats are not required to undergo lab testing to receive approval under the
USABat
program. However, to be approved for play, tee ball bats must carry the USA Baseball mark accompanied by the following text: “Only For Use With Approved Tee Ball Bats.” If you already have a tee ball bat you would like to continue using, all you have to do is purchase a
USABat
sticker directly from the
USABB
and place it on your bat. Of course, tee ball bats manufactured after the new rule will already include the
USABat
Baseball mark.
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