UPDATE! 10/25/21
Due to safety concerns, Little League DOES NOT allow donuts to be used.
Juniors: Bats meeting the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard may also be used in the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League divisions.
Farm/Machine Pitch: NOTE: Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Minor Divisions only with the use of
approved Tee Balls.
Original page content:
Keep an eye on this page for the new 2018 bat rules. As we learn more information, we'll post it here.
Note that the new 2018 bats *can* be used during the fall season of 2017. Once January 1st, 2018 hits, you'll only be able to use the 2018 bats with the USA Baseball logo.
Here are some links to help you navigate the new bat standard:
Little League's new bat info page with video: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/baseballbatinfo.htm
Little League new bat standard FAQ page:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/baseballbatinfo/USA-Baseball-Bat-Standard-FAQs.htmList of approved bats:
https://usabat.com
(Look for this USA Baseball logo on the bat barrel, 1-2 inches above the tape)
ATTENTION
CLAREMONT LITTLE LEAGUE!!
NEW BAT RULES START ON JAN. 1, 2018!!
(new bats can be used during 2017 fall ball season)
USA Baseball, the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the U.S., in conjunction with participating national member organizations (NMOs) announced the decision to adopt a new method for measuring bat performance in the testing of youth bats. Informed by the research of leading scientists on the USA Baseball Bat Study Committee, and supported by its NMOs, -- including the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, Little League Baseball and PONY Baseball -- USA Baseball has concluded that recent advancements in science, engineering, technology, and the materials available to fabricate non-wood bats, now allow the manufacturers to construct youth bats that can perform at a wood-like level through the entire range of lengths and weights of youth bats. The new USA Baseball bat standard (USABat), which will apply to bats that are classified below the NCAA and NFHS level of play (all Claremont Little League levels), will be implemented on January 1, 2018, allowing the bat manufacturers sufficient time to bring these bats to the marketplace. Similar to the NCAA and NFHS BBCOR standard, which helped to eliminate discrepancies with different length bats and thus provide a more direct measure of bat performance, the new USA Baseball bat standard will allow youth baseball organizations in the United States to reach their goal of establishing a wood-like standard, a standard that will provide for the long-term integrity of the game. It is important to note there will be no immediate change to youth baseball organizations’ bat rules. All bats, currently accepted for the respective leagues, remain permissible through December 31, 2017. Each participating national member organization will incorporate the new standard into their rules for the 2018 season.
Frequently Asked Questions about the USABat standard:
Which national member organizations are implementing this new standard? To date, the following organizations are participating (in alphabetical order): American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU),Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, Little League Baseball and PONY Baseball.
Why the change to a wood-like standard? USA Baseball’s national member organizations believe that a wood-like performance standard will best provide for the long-term integrity of the game. The new standard will not have a drop-weight limit, so young players can use bats made with light-weight materials.
Why not just use wood bats? Wood is a scarce resource. The new bats will be designed to perform much like wood, where its performance will be limited to the highest performing wood.
How is the USABat standard different from the BBCOR standard used by the NCAA and NFHS? Both the USA Baseball and NCAA bat performance tests are based on the coefficient of restitution from a bat-ball impact. The scale of results is different, however, since they use different test balls and test speeds. The testing difference is necessary to address the various levels of play in the respective age groups.
Why is USA Baseball involved? The national member organizations asked USA Baseball as the national governing body to take the lead in this process to establish a new standard. Many other national governing bodies set and enforce standards for the equipment in their respective sports. To that end, USA Baseball established a Bat Study Committee of leading scientists and conducted theoretical modeling, field testing and lab testing. The committee shared its findings with the national member organizations, who then endorsed the new USABat standard.
Why wait until 2018? The implementation date of 2018 will allow bat manufacturers sufficient time to conduct the appropriate research, design, testing, manufacturing and shipping needed to get new bats into retail outlets. This date also allows the participating national member organizations adequate time to educate their memberships of the USABat standard.
Is my current bat good for league play? Yes. Current league-approved bats can be used through December 31, 2017. New USABats can be used during 2017 fall ball season.
How will I know which bat to buy? All new bats that bear the USABat licensing mark will be permissible for play in the leagues and tournaments of the participating youth baseball organizations.
When can I buy the new bat? It is the intention of the bat manufacturers to make the new bats available in the fall of 2017, in sufficient time for the 2018 season.
Does this standard apply to Tee Ball? Applying a USABat Tee Ball Sticker to a tee ball bat (26” and shorter) will make the bat compliant under the USABat Standard for tee ball. Go to USABaseall website for info. CLICK LINK HERE FOR STICKER INFORMATION. New tee ball bats featuring the USA Baseball mark do not need to be stickered.
WHEN BUYING A BAT FOR 2018, LOOK FOR THIS LOGO ON THE BAT:
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE APPROVED BAT LIST:
https://usabat.com/
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT
CLAREMONT LITTLE LEAGUE