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