NEW BAT POLICY FOR 2018 BY LITTLE LEAGUE!!!
ANY 2017 BATS CAN NOT BE USED IN 2018!
Starting on January 1, 2018, the new USA Baseball Standard will be implemented across all Little League baseball divisions and Little League-approved bats will no longer be acceptable for use in any Little League game or activity. More details, as they become available, will be provided below.
We know that's a lot of information to digest, so here are your Key Takeaways regarding these new youth baseball bat rules:
- In order to maintain the integrity of youth baseball, the USABat standard will create wood-like performance in youth bats while allowing younger players to use light-weight bats that could not be achieved with wood bats.
- AABC, Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken, Dixie, Little League, and PONY will all be affected by the USABat rule change, but USSSA will not.
- The logos on the bats will look like this:
Here is a video that also helps explain the changes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayjksw46M0Y#action=share
T-Ball
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 USA Bat sticker directly from www.usabaseballshop.com and place it on your bat to make your bat legal for 2018 and beyond.
Here is the official Little League Sticker Program announcement.