Dear Little League Volunteer,

The following policy is in effect as of June 5, 2009.

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Little League Position Statement: Bat Modifications and Alterations

While Little League International has not received any reports of Little League volunteers or players making alterations to bats designed to increase their performance, it has been an issue in some upper levels of play.

In an effort to ensure this does not become a problem in Little League, this policy statement has been prepared and may be distributed to volunteers, parents and players.

No bat, in any level of Little League Baseball or Softball play, is permitted to be altered. This is of particular concern especially when it is clearly done to enhance performance and violate bat standards. Making such alterations to bats is clearly an inappropriate attempt to gain an unfair advantage, and cheating has no place in our program. Umpires, managers and coaches are instructed to inspect bats before games and practices - as they always should - to determine if bats might have been altered.

 

This includes using the appropriate Little League Bat Ring. If a bat does not clearly pass through the correct size ring, or if it has a flat spot on it, the bat must not be used. (This may simply indicate the bat has become misshapen with use, and does not necessarily indicate it was purposely altered. Still, the bat must be removed.)

 

Other signs to look for include contorted or mangled end-caps or knobs on non-wood bats. This could indicate that machinery was used to "shave" the inside of the bat to make it lighter. Bats with evidence of this type of tampering also must not be used.

 

Little League International wishes to make it clear that tampering with bats (or any other piece of equipment) is dangerous, and the equipment must not be used in any Little League game or practice.

 
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA  17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074

March 26, 2009

NOTICE TO PARENTS, PLAYERS AND LEAGUES:  IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A NEW COMPOSITE METAL BAT FOR USE IN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL (Major Division and below), BE SURE THAT THE BAT YOU ARE PURCHASING HAS THIS MARKING:  BPF 1.15 ON THE BARREL OR HANDLE OF THE BAT.  IF NOT, IT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FOR PLAY IN LITTLE LEAGUE GAMES. 
 
Little League officials are aware that there are bats for sale in stores, online or that may have already been purchased that are Little League approved, but do not have the required bat performance standard (BPF) markings.  In fact, some of the bats on the Little League approved bat list may not carry the required BPF 1.15 marking on the bat, depending on when they were manufactured and licensed. Currently manufacturers are conducting an inventory and re-testing of all approved bats.  The results of this study / retesting is to be finished by March 31, 2009.  We are building a list of certain bats that are approved, but do not have the BPF marking due to special circumstances.  For these bats, we are extending eligibility for play until December 31, 2009.  As we are made aware of bats that meet our criteria for this extension, we will add them to the list.  Please check this list regularly for updates.  HOWEVER, ONLY BATS WITH THE BPF 1.15 MARKING AND THE BATS ON THIS LIST WILL BE ALLOWED FOR PLAY IN 2009.   

Bats with the special exception include the following:

Adidas Vanquish Blue design   (There is a newer model of this bat, also named the Vanquish and it has copper and black markings.  It contains the proper labeling and therefore is not subject to the one-year rule).
 
DeMarini  -   Black Coyote, Rogue, Distance, Rumble, Tengu, Mach 10, Patriot
 
Easton   -   LZ-810, LZ-800, Stealth Optiflex LST 1,
 
Louisville Slugger - YB31
 
NIKE -  Areo
 
 

Sincerely,

Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA  17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074