Little League Approved Bats and Rule 1.10 - Looking for clarification

[jbolt_2000]

I am coaching Juniors division in Little League again this year. There are some new rules to the composite barrels but there is still confusion (at least for me) around alloy barreled bats that are 2-5/8 diameter.

Basically, the rules state these points (for Junior Division play - Rule 1.10):
- Composite barreled bats that are 2-1/4 inches in diameter must be on the approved LL Composite Bats list (updated frequently).
- Composite barreled bats that are 2-5/8 inches in diameter must be BBCOR certified with the BBCOR stamp on the bat.
- Any bat that is 2-5/8 inches and is a -3 must be BBCOR certified.
- Alloy barreled bats that are 2-1/4 inches must meet the BPF 1.15 rating and have the stamp on the bat.
- Alloy barreled bats that are 2-5/8 inches must meet the regulations stated in Rule 1.10.
----- HOWEVER, it only states what the maximum length and diameter must be.
----- It does specify if alloy barreled bats at 2-5/8 must have the BPF 1.15 or Little League approved stamps.

Does this mean that if you have an alloy barreled, 2-5/8 diameter bat that it must only meet the length and diameter specifications and that it does not need a certification stamp?

I've checked all over their site, Baseball Bat Resource Page and facebook page and it does not say.

As far as I can tell as long as it is not over 34 inches in length and more than 2-5/8 in diameter, then an alloy barreled bat is allowed with or without any certification stamps.

I've got a bunch of players that have these bats and I would hate to see them all removed from our games.

Any help out there?!?!?!

[JJA]

Does this mean that if you have an alloy barreled, 2-5/8 diameter bat that it must only meet the length and diameter specifications and that it does not need a certification stamp?

I've checked all over their site, Baseball Bat Resource Page and facebook page and it does not say.

As far as I can tell as long as it is not over 34 inches in length and more than 2-5/8 in diameter, then an alloy barreled bat is allowed with or without any certification stamps.

I've got a bunch of players that have these bats and I would hate to see them all removed from our games.

Any help out there?!?!?!

Yeah, we had that discussion here as well for Pony league (same age group). Our league clarified what you said, that non-composite, legacy 2-5/8 bats can be used, while new 2-5/8 bats must have the BPF 1.15 stamps on them. Absolutely confusing rule. I suggest you do what we're planning on doing: having the head of the umpires look at all of our bats to make sure they're all legal before the season starts.

[Standballdad]

Yeah, we had that discussion here as well for Pony league (same age group). Our league clarified what you said, that non-composite, legacy 2-5/8 bats can be used, while new 2-5/8 bats must have the BPF 1.15 stamps on them. Absolutely confusing rule. I suggest you do what we're planning on doing: having the head of the umpires look at all of our bats to make sure they're all legal before the season starts.

If it is 2 5/8 with alloy barrel less than no more than 34 inches it is good for use in Jrs. Composite barrel must be bbcor.

[jbolt_2000]

Yeah, I plan on just lining up all bats and making sure the umps are OK with them. I just worry that some umps will allow some of the older bats and other umps will not. But I guess we just have to go with it for the next year or so until all of the umps are clear on the rule.

[Standballdad]

Yeah, I plan on just lining up all bats and making sure the umps are OK with them. I just worry that some umps will allow some of the older bats and other umps will not. But I guess we just have to go with it for the next year or so until all of the umps are clear on the rule.

In our league, we have a bat check before the season starts and it must have the League sticker on it or it cannot be used. If a bat is bought during the season it must get a sticker from the league rep prior to use. This is also a league liability issue so that the league is not liable if someone is injured with an illegal bat.

[jbolt_2000]

In our league, we have a bat check before the season starts and it must have the League sticker on it or it cannot be used. If a bat is bought during the season it must get a sticker from the league rep prior to use. This is also a league liability issue so that the league is not liable if someone is injured with an illegal bat.

That sounds like a really good idea. It would alleviate much of the inconsistencies we see with umps deciding which bats are allowed or not.
Because of the limited number of team in our league we play other leagues in our District, so if we did something like this then we would need the whole district to buy in.

I like it though! I might bring this up with our local BODs.

[Standballdad]

That sounds like a really good idea. It would alleviate much of the inconsistencies we see with umps deciding which bats are allowed or not.
Because of the limited number of team in our league we play other leagues in our District, so if we did something like this then we would need the whole district to buy in.

I like it though! I might bring this up with our local BODs.

We do the same, we play other teams in the district, they all need stickers.

[azmatsfan]

Yeah, I plan on just lining up all bats and making sure the umps are OK with them. I just worry that some umps will allow some of the older bats and other umps will not. But I guess we just have to go with it for the next year or so until all of the umps are clear on the rule.

Maybe you have more knowledgable umps, but I would check with the District Administrator before the season starts rather than counting on the umpires to know all the LL policies.

[jbolt_2000]

Maybe you have more knowledgable umps, but I would check with the District Administrator before the season starts rather than counting on the umpires to know all the LL policies.

I am checking with our league president to see if the District has a plan for identifying the bats or clarifying the rules. We have some very knowledgeable umps but some very green umps as well. And even the experienced ones tend to interpret the rules differently.