Rancho Bernardo Little League: RBLL News

Tuesday, August 12
New Bat Rules for 2009
October 9, 2008
 
Dear District Administrative Staffs and Local Little League Baseball Officials:
 
Beginning with the 2009 Little League Baseball season, baseball bats with a diameter of 2 ¾ inches are no longer permitted for use in the Junior League Division of Baseball.
 
Baseball bats with a 2 5/8ths inch diameter are now the standard for all teenage baseball divisions (Junior, Senior and Big League).
 
The "minus-3" requirement - overall weight (in ounces) of a bat can be no more than three ounces below the overall length (in inches) of the bat - remains in effect in Senior and Big League Baseball divisions, but is NOT a requirement in Junior Baseball.
 
Also, in effect for the 2009 season is the requirement that all non-wood bats used in Little League Baseball Divisions and below shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less.
 
RBLL Parents/Managers/Players;
Just a reminder of the new Little League rule that will be coming into effect for 2009 season. For the 2009 season Little League International and subsequently RBLL, have mandated that all bats meet the new league standard. This rule will apply to all levels of LL baseball, even for T-Ball. Note that not all bats will have the appropriate labeling/markings so buyer beware!
The official Little League statement url and rule is below for your ref.
Official Little League Statement: http://www.littleleague.org/media/nonwoodbatsfacts.asp
Rule 1.10 (baseball only)
NOTE 3: Beginning with the 2009 season, non-wood bats used in divisions of play Little League (Majors) and below must be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) rating of 1.15 or less.
  • What does this mean? Bat manufacturers agreed several years ago that the BPF (bat performance factor) of bats they are now manufacturing will not exceed a 1.15. The BPF is a formula that measures how fast a baseball comes off the bat. Starting on Jan. 1, 2009, however, all bats used in the Little League (Majors) Division and below must be designated (printed) with a BPF of 1.15 or less.
NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass through the approved Little League bat ring must be removed from play. The 2 ¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in all softball divisions, and in the Tee Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball divisions of baseball. The 2 ¾ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Junior League, Senior League and Big League divisions of baseball.
  • What does this mean? For a non-wood bat to become dented over time is normal. But some umpires have been disallowing bats that are slightly dented. As a result, Little League will providing a number of Little League Approved bat rings at no charge to every league for use in all divisions of play. Umpires who are active in the Little League Umpire Registry (details on joining the registry are here http://www.littleleague.org/umpires/index.asp) also will receive one bat ring at no charge. Additional bat rings may be purchased from Little League International or the Regional Center. The ring has holes for both sizes and is made of sturdy plastic. If the bat passes through the proper ring, it is “legal.” (Obviously, however, if a bat has visible cracks in it, it should not be permitted in a game.) You can see an example of the ring here: www.littleleague.org/media/images/LL_Bat_Rings.jpg


Sunday, February 13
Umpire Info
Look in the Umpire Info section for information on being an Umpire

Or click on  Umpire Info above
Handout: 2008 Umpire clinics