Baseball Bat Buying Guide

Barrel Size

• The measurement of the diameter around the bat.
• Generally, the longer the barrel the larger the "sweet spot" for making substantial contact.
• Many players prefer a smaller barrel diameter that lightens the weight and provides more swing speed.
• Barrel size varies by league.

Grip

• The grip is simply the covering that bat manufacturers use on the handle of aluminum, wood and composite bats.
• Rubber grips absorb more of the shock when the ball makes contact with the bat.
• Leather or synthetic leather grips give a strengthened feel for a more confident grip.
• Some bats come with a special cushioned grip to decrease bat vibration even more.

Drop

• Also known as a bat's length-to-weight ratio or a bat's minus (-) number, i.e. -3, -5, -10, etc.
• Defined as a negative number denoting the amount of ounces the bat weighs less than the amount of inches its length. Basically stated, it's the difference between the weight of the bat minus the length of the bat.
• Wood bats and Slow Pitch bats are not identified with a drop.
• Different leagues have different drops legal for play. Check with your coach or local league.

Selecting a Bat by Age or by Length and Weight

Selecting the correct bat weight really depends on two critical factors: your strength and hitting style. It also depends a lot on your personal preference in weight and length, so the following are simply guidelines to follow:

• Bigger, stronger players generally prefer a heavier bat since they get the benefits of substantial swing power and ball-carrying distance.
• Smaller players looking more for groundball hitting through the infield should consider a lighter bat to generate a quicker swing.
• Younger players should think about starting out with a lighter bat, where they can practice their stance, batting form, and running out base hits.

YOUTH BATS

When searching for the perfect bat, size matters. This is also an important step for promoting player safety. Youths starting out in the game need to be able to work on their form, technique, and batting stance. To do this, it's important to tailor the bat to fit their specific needs.

Tips for Beginners

• Lightweight alloy bats increase the size of the "sweet spot" on the barrel that allows for solid contact.
• A starting player needs to learn to hit close to the "sweet spot."
• Go for a lighter bat to maintain bat speed, which is top priority in hitting.
• Have a light enough bat to swing with enough bat speed to hit the ball powerfully.
• If they cannot hold the bat for 20 seconds without the arm starting to shake, it's too heavy.
• You'll see right away which ones are too small, too big, or too heavy. If your youth needs to slide his hands up from the knob end of the bat to give him more control, then go to the next inch-size down.
• It's the younger players who need more guidance to ensure they're swinging the right bat for their size, strength, and skill level.
   

Alloy/Metal Bat – A type of bat in which the handle and barrel of the bat are entirely comprised of an alloy/metal material, exclusive of the end cap.

Composite Bat – A type of bat in which the handle and barrel of the bat are comprised of a composite or Fiberglas-like material. Note: A bat with any composite material in the barrel, exclusive of the end cap, is considered a composite bat.

Wood Bat – A type of bat in which the handle and barrel are comprised from a single piece of wood or the handle and barrel are made of multiple pieces of wood through a “laminating or compressed” process.

Hybrid or Half-and-Half Bat – A type of bat where the handle and barrel differ in composition material. Note: These types of bats are defined only by the composition of the barrel with respect to the moratorium.
 

Rule 1.10 - Baseball - The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League specifications
and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards.
Little League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood bats shall be labeled with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less;

EXCEPTION: For the 2011-2012 Little League (Majors) and below, for regular season play and Tournament, composite bats are prohibited unless approved by Little League International.  View the list of approved and licensed composite bats.

Junior League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in length; nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. All composite bats shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.

Senior/Big League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in length, nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. The bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-Iong bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All bats not made of a single piece of wood shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color. Aluminum and composite bats shall be marked as to their material makeup being aluminum or composite. This marking shall be silkscreen or other permanent certification mark, a minimum of one-half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.

Note 1 (2-28-12): USA Baseball has advised Little League that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has provided official notice that the BBCOR decertification process has been implemented for the Marucci CAT5 33-inch model bat.

Effectively immediately and until notified otherwise, this bat (Marucci CAT5 33-inch length) should be considered non-compliant and subject to Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Rules 1.10 and 6.06(d). It should be noted that the National Federation of State High School Associations has taken similar action.

In all divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited.

• NOTE 1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2¾ inch in diameter bat is not allowed
  in any division.
• NOTE 2: The traditional batting donut is not permissible.
• NOTE 3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League Tee Ball.”
• NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot
  pass through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division
  must be removed from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Tee
  Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring
  must be used for bats in the Junior, Senior and Big League divisions of baseball.
• Note 5: An illegal bat must be removed. Any bat that has been altered shall be removed from play. Penalty – See Rule – 6.06 (d).

ABI: Advanced Break-In – The process used in a laboratory to break in a bat. It is designed to approximate the conditions under which a bat is broken in on the field of play.

Barrel: The part of the bat that is conventionally used to hit the baseball.

BPF: Bat Performance Factor – The laboratory test method used to establish performance of a non-wood (2 1/4-inch diameter barrel) bat.

BBCOR: Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution – The laboratory test method used to establish performance of a non-wood (2 5/8-inch diameter barrel) bat.

End Cap: On a non-wood bat, a cap affixed to the end of the barrel. The materials in the end cap are not considered with respect to the moratorium.

Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions regarding the bat rules for 2012.

Q-1: How can you identify composite, alloy and half-half bats?

A: Most bats indicate whether it is composite or metal/alloy. Look closely at the barrel for its designation and composition. For any others, you would need to check the manufacturer website or call them to see if the specific model has a composite barrel.

Q-2: How does someone identify an older composite bat that is not labeled as composite?

A: First, a non-wood bat that does not have the BPF of 1.15 printed on it is not allowed to be used in Little League (Majors) play and below. Additionally, composite bats that have the BPF listed, and may even have the Little League name and logo on them, remain subject to the moratorium. If such a bat is not on the waivered list, it cannot be used. 

Q-3: Is there still a moratorium on composite-barreled bats for the Majors Division and below?

A: Yes, the moratorium that was put in place in late 2010 remains in place on composite-barreled bats in the Majors Division and below. A list of the bats that have a waiver of the moratorium, which is updated whenever a new bat is added, can be found here.

Q-4: What if my bat has a composite handle, and a metal/alloy barrel?

A: If the bat is labeled as having a composite handle and a metal/alloy barrel (and not a composite barrel), provided it meets all the other specifications and standards for the division, it is acceptable. The transition from the handle to the barrel can be composite.

Q-5: Why are softball bats not covered?

A: To date, there is currently no similar scientific research available on the performance of bats used in Little League’s softball program.

Q-6: Is my bat (insert model here) OK?

A: There are hundreds of bat models. The best way to know if a specific bat is acceptable is to first know the material from which the barrel is made, then familiarize yourself with the specifications and standards for that division of play. Those specifications and standards are in the rule books under Rule 1.10. They can also be found here.

Q-7: Are the bat manufacturers going to offer a rebate on the bats that are deemed unusable in Little League?

A: Each bat manufacturer will decide on its return/exchange policy and possible rebates toward the purchase of Little League compliant bats. Check with your local equipment retailer for guidance on possible rebates or returns.

Q-8: Is the list of licensed baseball bats provided by Little League a complete list of all the bats that are “legal”?

A: No, such a list would be impossible to create, since it would include all bats in the world that meet the criteria for the division of play. Also, Little League only licenses bats with 2 1/4 inch barrels – not the 2 5/8 barrel bats. The key thing to remember is: A baseball bat only needs to meet the criteria for the division, which includes all pertinent specifics in Rule 1.10, and (if used for Majors and below) must meet the criteria of the moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats.

Q-9: Is there a new standard for all non-wood bats in the Senior League Baseball and Big League Baseball Divisions in 2012, and for composite-barreled 2 5/8 bats in the Junior League Baseball Division?

A: Yes. In 2012, all non-wood bats must meets the 2012 BBCOR standard for use in the Senior League and Big League Baseball Divisions, provided the bat meets all other conditions of Rule 1.10 for that division of play. Additionally, all composite-barreled bats for use in the Junior League Baseball Division must meet the BBCOR standard. This is the implementation of the rule Little League provided in the rule books starting in 2010.

Q-10: Can a bat with a 2 1/4 inch barrel be used in Junior League Baseball?

A: Yes, but not all 2 1/4 inch bats can be used. If such a bat’s barrel has no composite materials in it, it may be used in the Junior League Baseball Division, provided it meets the standards for length, handle diameter, etc. But if the bat has composite materials in the barrel, it cannot be used since it does not comply with BBCOR. (BBCOR bats only have 2 5/8 inch barrels.)

Q-11: Can we use a 2 5/8 composite barrel bat that was on the waivered list in 2011, but does not have the BBCOR printing on it?

A: No. All non-wood bats (regardless of whether they are metal or composite) must have the BBCOR certification mark on them, for use in the Senior League and Big League Baseball Divisions. Additionally, all composite-barreled bats for use in the Junior League Baseball Division must meet the BBCOR standard. This is the implementation of the rule Little League provided in the rule books starting in 2010.

Q-12: Are wood bats OK for use?

A: Yes. Wood bats have always been acceptable for use in all divisions, provided the individual bat meets the specifications and standards for the division of play, as noted in Rule 1.10.

Q-13: What about softball bats, Junior League Baseball bats, and bats with 2 5/8-inch barrels?

A: In 2012, the moratorium does not apply to any softball bats. (See the FAQs.) Softball bats simply must meet the requirements of Rule 1.10 in the softball rulebook.

In 2012, the moratorium on composite bats applies to 2 1/4-inch bats with composite materials in the barrel.

The moratorium that was enacted in September 2010 for 2 5/8-inch composite bats no longer applies. However, as noted in the rulebooks beginning several years ago, the 2012 rules now state:

• In Senior League Baseball and Big League Baseball, ALL non-wood bats must meet BBCOR standards. (See the prior FAQs on this page.)
• In Junior League Baseball, all COMPOSITE-barreled bats must meet BBCOR standards. Because BBCOR standards only are used on 2 5/8-inch bats, this means a composite-barreled bat intended for use in the Junior League Baseball Division MUST be a BBCOR bat with a 2 5/8-iinch barrel. It also means a COMPOSITE-barreled bat with a 2 1/4-inch barrel cannot be used in the Junior League Baseball Division, since there are no 2 1/4-inch bats that meet BBCOR standards. If the bat to be used in the Junior League Baseball Division has a barrel that is made of wood, or metal (alloy, aluminum, etc.), then it only needs to meet the standards for Junior League Baseball bats in Rule 1.10, and it can have a barrel that is less than 2 5/8-inch in diameter. (See the prior FAQs on this page.)