Complete list of USAbat bats, including MSRP

[JoeG]

I spent a couple days compiling specs on all the bats currently available with the USAbat logo, as well as bats soon coming out for which I had some information. I posted the spreadsheet on my blog. The list can be viewed on the web using a desktop browser (but not a phone) or downloaded:

https://www.filterjoe.com/2017/09/08...e-usabat-list/

Note that there is a list on the official USAbat site as well but it doesn't have as many columns of information, and after spending a number of painstaking hours checking everything, I believe the usabat's list is less accurate (i.e. Axe Bat T-ball bat information on usabat site is not accurate):

https://usabat.com/

Feedback on anything inaccurate is welcome (please include link to your information source).

I plan to maintain this list for at least a few months, perhaps longer. The more help I get, the longer I'll maintain the list.

Should be pretty easy to maintain short term as there aren't yet a large number of bats. There are literally only 5 manufacturers with bats currently available (Axe, Easton, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno, Rawlings), and two more to be available soon (DeMarini, Franklin Sports).

Just uploaded an updated list (September 12).

What I'm finding most difficult in terms of accuracy is that some manufacturers are listing only some (or none) of their new bats on their own sites. When that happens, I may be able to obtain an item number and some specs from a vendor, but what I often don't get is the full range of possible bat lengths. Easton is especially difficult as they have a large product line but many bats are not listed on their site. Though Easton is widely distributed, most vendors do not carry every possible bat length. With every update I've been making adjustments/corrections to the Easton line that I've discovered, but I've likely missed some.

I would very much appreciate any help on bat lengths I may have missed for Easton or any other manufacturer.

I appreciate the help I've received so far from WailukuHeights and SouthGaBaseball. Thanks!

[WailukuHeights]

No sweat Joe, thanks for compiling the list.

I'm wondering if all those weird low-end Rawlings are the same bats, just reskinned for different retail outlets. For example (hypothetical): Rawlings Machine = WalMart Exclusive, Rawlings Fuel = Dick's Exclusive, etc... same bat, just repainted.

I can't imagine them spending R&D money in variations of a low-end bat.

Also one correction, the Anderson -11 is the Centerfire, you have it listed as a Tech.

[JoeG]

No sweat Joe, thanks for compiling the list.

I'm wondering if all those weird low-end Rawlings are the same bats, just reskinned for different retail outlets. For example (hypothetical): Rawlings Machine = WalMart Exclusive, Rawlings Fuel = Dick's Exclusive, etc... same bat, just repainted.

I can't imagine them spending R&D money in variations of a low-end bat.

Also one correction, the Anderson -11 is the Centerfire, you have it listed as a Tech.

Thanks for catching the Centerfire. You could be right about Rawlings and if that turns out to be the case, I'll consolidate the identical bats into one row. Don't have enough information to make that call yet, though.

[riot]

A note about wood bats. Found this on LittleLeague.org.

27. How will wooden bats for Little League play be effected by the new USA Baseball bat standard?-

A: Solid, one-piece wood bats that adhere to Little League’s regulations will be allowed for play with or without the USA Baseball mark. Multi-piece wood bats must have the USA Baseball mark to be approved for play. This includes two-piece wood bats, composite wood bats, laminated wood bats, bonded wood bats, bamboo bats, and any wood bat that could be defined as an ‘experimental’ design.

I contacted Axe Bats about their wood bat because my son wanted one. Their wood bat is composite, so I contacted them about if it would be stamped with the new standard. As of right now, they are not releasing a wooden bat that would be approved with USA Bat.

I have no idea if other youth organizations will be allowing wood bats as Little League is or not. It's a bit frustrating that there's nothing to be found regarding approved wood bats except for what I found above.

[riot]

A note about wood bats. Found this on LittleLeague.org.



I contacted Axe Bats about their wood bat because my son wanted one. Their wood bat is composite, so I contacted them about if it would be stamped with the new standard. As of right now, they are not releasing a wooden bat that would be approved with USA Bat.

I have no idea if other youth organizations will be allowing wood bats as Little League is or not. It's a bit frustrating that there's nothing to be found regarding approved wood bats except for what I found above.

Just now found these guidelines on usabaseball.com which includes information regarding wood bats. I do wonder if any wood bat manufacturer will actually release a 2 5/8" wood bat for youth since those would be allowed now.

[JoeG]

Just now found these guidelines on usabaseball.com which includes information regarding wood bats. I do wonder if any wood bat manufacturer will actually release a 2 5/8" wood bat for youth since those would be allowed now.

Whether or not wood bats get an official USAbat stamp, wood bat legality varies by local league and specific tournaments. Our particular local PONY league chapter does not allow wood bats, for example. I'm told that the reasoning is fear of wood chips flying out and hitting someone when a bat breaks.

[JoeG]

I spent a couple days compiling specs on all the bats currently available with the USAbat logo, as well as bats soon coming out for which I had some information. I posted the spreadsheet on my blog. The list can be viewed on the web using a desktop browser (but not a phone) or downloaded:

https://www.filterjoe.com/2017/09/08/complete-usabat-list/

Note that there is a list on the official USAbat site as well but it doesn't have as many columns of information, and after spending a number of painstaking hours checking everything, I believe the usabat's list is less accurate (i.e. Axe Bat T-ball bat information on usabat site is not accurate):

https://usabat.com/

Feedback on anything inaccurate is welcome (please include link to your information source).

I plan to maintain this list for at least a few months, perhaps longer. The more help I get, the longer I'll maintain the list.

One thing I'm finding as I continue to refine the list and respond to feedback is that sometimes manufacturers make little mistakes that I end up catching. Axe bat had the wrong model number listed for a Tball bat, which they corrected yesterday when I requested clarification. I just found two seemingly identical Easton bats with 2 different model numbers (YSB18BXHL, YBB18BXHL).

Does anyone have a good contact number for Easton? Every time I call them to try to get through to a PR or Brand manager type of person, I get send down endless phone trees. I'd appreciate a number of a real person from Easton who knows a lot about the lineup so I can get some of my little detail questions answered.

Anyone have such a phone number? If you don't want to post it publicly, please send PM.

[WailukuHeights]

Sorry, don't have a ph# for you Joe.

I did chat with a Justbats rep specifically about the wood bats for USABat a week or so ago, I quoted the LL write up (copy/paste), he said that according to conversations with their Rawlings and Mizuno reps, who were in their facility a couple of weeks ago, ALL wood bats would need the USABat stamp to be legal for play in those particular leagues.

[Gator Y]

Sorry, don't have a ph# for you Joe.

I did chat with a Justbats rep specifically about the wood bats for USABat a week or so ago, I quoted the LL write up (copy/paste), he said that according to conversations with their Rawlings and Mizuno reps, who were in their facility a couple of weeks ago, ALL wood bats would need the USABat stamp to be legal for play in those particular leagues.

This is on the FAQ for Little League regarding Wood bats (http://www.littleleague.org/learn/eq...esource%20Page)

27. How will wooden bats for Little League play be effected by the new USA Baseball bat standard?-
A: Solid, one-piece wood bats that adhere to Little League’s regulations will be allowed for play with or without the USA Baseball mark. Multi-piece wood bats must have the USA Baseball mark to be approved for play. This includes two-piece wood bats, composite wood bats, laminated wood bats, bonded wood bats, bamboo bats, and any wood bat that could be defined as an ‘experimental’ design.

[WailukuHeights]

This is on the FAQ for Little League regarding Wood bats (http://www.littleleague.org/learn/eq...esource%20Page)

27. How will wooden bats for Little League play be effected by the new USA Baseball bat standard?-
A: Solid, one-piece wood bats that adhere to Little League’s regulations will be allowed for play with or without the USA Baseball mark. Multi-piece wood bats must have the USA Baseball mark to be approved for play. This includes two-piece wood bats, composite wood bats, laminated wood bats, bonded wood bats, bamboo bats, and any wood bat that could be defined as an ‘experimental’ design.

Yes, that's exactly what I quoted to the justbats rep. Again, his response from the Rawlings and Mizuno reps stated otherwise.

On Facebook, a Dirty South rep also stated that it was his understanding that all wood bats required the USABat stamp as well. This was his quote: "USA is requiring insurance from all bat manufacturers so i am surprised that they state that a solid wood bat does not need the usa stamp. stay tuned to see if that changes...."

[SouthGaBaseball]

Sorry, don't have a ph# for you Joe.

I did chat with a Justbats rep specifically about the wood bats for USABat a week or so ago, I quoted the LL write up (copy/paste), he said that according to conversations with their Rawlings and Mizuno reps, who were in their facility a couple of weeks ago, ALL wood bats would need the USABat stamp to be legal for play in those particular leagues.

If this doesn't let people know that this is a money grab above all else I don't think they will ever see it. They created a standard to more closely mimic the performance of wood and are also requiring WOOD bats to pay licensing to have the USABat stamp for use in these leagues.

[Tman]

I don't think the intent was necessarily a money grab but obviously there's an element of that in the effects. I think they legitimately thought by going to this standard they'd make the game safer and better prepare kids for BBCOR at higher levels.

[riot]

Just now found these guidelines on usabaseball.com which includes information regarding wood bats. I do wonder if any wood bat manufacturer will actually release a 2 5/8" wood bat for youth since those would be allowed now.

Apparently USA Baseball doesn't want people seeing these guidelines because the link is no longer accessible. The webpage still works though.

[riot]

I sent an email to USA Baseball and to Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken (my kids affiliated leagues) asking for clarity regarding wood bats. I just sent it to their generic info@ email address, so who knows if it will be seen.

The Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken bat rules webpage has no mention at all regarding wood bats.

[mattun]

What do you think it shaping up as the best "deal" of these? For a second year kid pitch 8-year-old, I was thinking maybe the 5150 at $119.99 (probably lower with discounts) would likely have a decent sweetspot, 2 5/8, and not need breaking in.