What Are the Bat Requirements for High School Baseball

You have to play BBC baseball bats in high school and college. Young players who are not in high school do not need to use BBC baseball bats because they use American or USSSA bats depending on the league they play in. That`s why I`ve written this blog post to help you navigate the jungle of rules, and I`ve done my best to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about middle and high school baseball. If you`re looking for the right BBC bat for you, make sure the bat you`re looking at is actually a BBC bat. All non-wooden BBCOR baseball bats carry the “BBCOR Certified .50” stamp (pictured above), usually just above the handle or on the taper of the bat. The number .50 represents the “trampoline effect” of a baseball bat. A BBC racquet cannot exceed .50, but most pass the test at around .48 or .49. By implementing the BBCOR standard of 0.50 or less, non-wooden bats must now function more like wooden bats. The trampoline effect is reduced and the bat does less work for the hitter, meaning the batter must now provide the most strength against the ball. The only exception to the wooden bat stamp rule is bamboo bats.

If a player has a bamboo racket, they cannot use it in a high school game unless the racquet has an official certification stamp. You can watch this video on BBC standards to get a better idea of the requirements a high school baseball bat should meet when hitting a high school field. Starting at 1. As of January 2011, all non-wooden baseball bats must be BBCOR certified for use in NCAA and college games. Before the BBC standard, high school baseball leagues used the BESR. The BESR stands for Ball Exit Speed Ratio. This standard measured the speed of a ball as it exited the racket. BBQ alloy or aluminum alloy baseball bats feature a 1-piece design and the barrel is designed to have thinner, more responsive walls for more pop.

BBCOR composite bats have a 2-piece construction, which makes them very light and much more flexible than a 1-piece alloy bat, which is quite rigid. This is ideal for players who want to increase their racquet speed. BBCOR hybrid baseball bats are becoming more and more popular. They feature a 2-piece design and are equipped with an aluminum barrel and composite handle, allowing for a lighter grip and a longer, more responsive stroke. BBCOR stands for Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution and it`s something you`ve probably heard a lot about lately. In late 2010, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced plans to ban compound baseball bats and move from a BESR standard to a BBC standard for baseball bats. Below are the current rules and regulations for the use of adult baseball bats. For an explanation of what each of these standards means, click here. The Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) was the old standard that regulated adult baseball bats. After the NFHS and NCAA banned compound adult baseball bats in 2010, baseball bat manufacturers were allowed to apply for an exemption for certain baseball bats. To obtain this exemption, their baseball bats had to undergo an Accelerated Break and Enter (ABI) test.

This procedure tested the baseball bats composed after they were broken into to make sure they weren`t too hot to play. Bats that received the exemption could be used in high school games across the country (including California) in 2011. BBCOR is currently the standard that governs adult baseball bats used in high school and college. The acronym BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. Simply put, BBCOR measures the “trampoline effect” of running and how it plays into the speed of the ball coming out. The more the trampoline effect “bounces off”, the faster the ball comes out of the racket. Officials noticed a high number of home runs and increased offensive performance before implementing the BBC`s requirements. The safety of the pitcher was also questioned due to the higher speeds when the ball came out of the racket. Essentially, the ball could come out of the racket at much higher speeds than when throwing. It also has a long history in baseball, as MLB players are only allowed to play with wooden bats, which can be slippery. That`s why professionals are allowed to add up to 18 inches of pine harvesters to their bats to make them sticky.

For middle school students, the question is not so easy to answer. It`s best to ask your coach here, as they probably know the specific rules of the league you`re participating in. High school baseball bats should have a smooth cylindrical shape from cap to button. Outside of California, all BESR-certified baseball bats with alloy cannons remained legal until January 1, 2012.