Menomonee Falls Little League: Jason's Bat Checks

All bats require the 2013 RED sticker.  Bats without this sticker cannot be used for games or practices.

A RED 2013 sticker on a bat means the bat was approved at the time it received the sticker. During the season, the barrel can be dented and the tip can get cracked. Umpires should be checking bats before every game -- not only for the sticker but that the bat is not damaged. A red-stickered damaged bat is not eligible for play. 

Click here for a list of all Little League International approved bats.

**NEW FOR 2013** ALL SOFTBALL BATS MUST BE CHECKED!

All softball bats need to have BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20 that must be printed on the bat.

Click here for a complete list of all Little League Internation Regulation and Rule Changes for the 2013 season.  Scroll down 1/2 the page to the Rule Changes section.

The following are the rule changes to softball bats:

Rule 1.10 has been amended to read: (Applies to: Softball Rule Book)

The bat must be a softball 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 a material tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards. The bat shall be no more than 33 inches (34 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League) in length, not more than two and one-quarter (2-1/4) inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen/sixteenth (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30 inches) at its smallest part. Non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20. Bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding 16 inches from the small end. Colored bats are acceptable. 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. An illegal or altered bat must be removed.

Summary and Implementation: For the 2013 season, language was added requiring softball bats in all divisions of play to have a 1.20 BPF.

Rule 2.00 has been amended to read, in part: (Applies to: Softball Rule Book)

An ILLEGAL BAT is a bat that has been altered or a bat that is not approved for play because it does not meet specifications with regard to length, weight, barrel diameter, labeling or performance standard for the division which it is being used.

Summary and Implementation: For the 2013 season, added the definition of an “Illegal Bat.”

Rule 6.06(d) has been amended to read: (Applies to: Softball Rule Book)

(d) the batter enters the batter's box with one or both feet entirely on the ground with an illegal bat (see bat specifications rule 1.10) or is discovered having used an illegal bat prior to the next player entering the batter's box.

NOTE: If the infraction is discovered before the next player enters the batter's box following the turn at bat of the player who used an illegal bat:

1. The manager of the defense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play.
   
2. For the first violation, the offensive team will lose one eligible adult base coach for the duration of the game.
   
3. For the second violation, the manager of the team will be ejected from the game. Any subsequent violation will result in the newly designated manager being ejected.

Summary and Implementation: For the 2013 season, language was added to impose a penalty for use of an illegal bat.

On March, 9, 2012, Little League Baseball, Incorporated has been informed that Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BT0636 has failed recent performance standard compliance testing.

Effective immediately, Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BT0636, including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Little League program or activity.

Click here for photos.

Effectively immediately and until notified otherwise, this bat (Reebok Vector-TLS 33-inch length) should be considered non-compliant and subject to Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Rules 1.10 and 6.06(d).