You can find a full rundown of rules and regulations here. The manufacturers invest a lot of money in promoting their products. Since the bats are designed to perform optimally straight out of the wrapper, rolling them doesnt offer any real benefits. Such modifications are not only illegal, but could potentially be dangerous to players and even spectators. If you use a heavier bat it will result in faster hit balls because the hit ball will travel farther. If it fails the compression test, you cant use it, but if it meets the league standards and has not been modified by shaving, then you should be able to use it. As a matter of fact, all composite bats must be rolled in testing before they are deemed legal for play. by Jessy Williamson | Feb 25, 2023 | Equipment. The USA Baseball Certification Mark is required to be approved for play. Painting is Illegal Baseball bat painting is often used to cover up identifying marks on the bat. The graphics will also start to peel off, and you may be able to feel ridges if you run your hand across the barrel. They have thinner barrel walls, but a bigger hitting surface. Bat flipping has been associated with disrespect on two fronts in recent years, as it is illegal and a violation of the law. As a result, the rules governing USSSA-certified baseball did not change. It features a fully aluminum design and has the USSSA 1.15 BPF certification. In addition to safety concerns, the specific type of maple bat used in this case is more likely to splinter into several pieces than other maple bats. Only the stamp and current bats will be grandfathered in without a stop date. The legality of bat shaving is complicated and varies from league to league. Bats that are altered from the manufacturer's original design and production, or that do not meet the rule specifications, are illegal (See 7-4-1a). A USSSA Bat must have the 1.15 BPF USSSA or Certified .50 BBCOR stamp somewhere on the barrel. Bat rolling proponents argue performance is not enhanced, just sped up. "Altered Bats - Excessive . There are a few reasons. Because, like the American models, the wood bat, like the American models, will have a significant performance disadvantage, we recommend not using it for your player. Fair enough. The risk of modifying a bat in any way, in addition to being harmful to a player, must be taken into account. A wooden bat will look and function just like one if it is tested in a laboratory. Physically altering the bat for performances sake is exactly what shaving is. This is to make sure that as the bat gets hotter after more use, and it will not exceed the bat performance standards put in place. While rolling a bat is a safe practice, it should be done with extreme caution because it may void the manufacturers warranty. The Little League Major Baseball Division only uses USABat Standard bats. } The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This thinner bat is both lighter and likely contains more trampoline effect than is allowed. As such, it is important for players and coaches to understand what bats are legal in USSSA baseball and any other USSSA sanctioned sport. Chris Forbes is the founder and editor of BaseballMode.com, a leading blog in the youth baseball space. If you want to have a ball player in one of the following leagues, you will need a bat that complies with USA standards. Here you'll find information on the game of baseball, from the rules to the history. If youre caught using a rolled bat, you could be suspended or even banned from the league. A 25*8 inch big barrel bat is permitted under a USSSA rule. The USSSA Ghost will not be listed on the USA approved, or non-approved list, as it was never a USA bat. USABat, BBCOR and Wood bats are also allowed. The USA Baseball mark is required of all tee ball bats. USSSA empowers world-class events for athletes, parents, and fans. Altering a bat can increase the trampoline effect, leading to more balls being hit harder and further. CLOSE. Axes ergonomic handle forces contact to only be made on one side of the barrel. A USA Baseball bat is a symbol of performance and quality. Aluminum or Alloy bats typically gain approximately 10-20ft while Bat Shaving / Ring Removal has been shown to increase distance by an additional . Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company. The composition of wood bats and the balance of pop and density are not the same as those of metal bats. deeming "altering a bat" to be illegal. It follows, that if you are to roll an Axe bat your focus only need be on one side of the barrelthe hitting side. The use of broken, altered, or defaced bats is prohibited. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest participate in affiliate marketing programs including but not limited to Amazon and eBay. This can certainly become an issue if you attempt to use one without knowledge of it being disallowed. The rule change to the bats is not going to be implemented by the USSSA. Others, however, claim your warranty is void if you do so. What does it mean to have a bat rolled? The use of bat rolling has been a contentious issue in youth baseball for several years. . Bat rolling is most prevalent amongst the slowpitch softball community, but in some occasions, fastpitch softball players also take to bat rolling. No way you could tell. This includes USSSA, NSA and ISA. Shaving a bat shortens a bat's life because you're making the walls of the bat, which help create . Baseball is a huge part of our lives so we'd love to share our experiences through different perspectives. The machine works by heating the bat to a specific temperature and then rolling it. Bat rolling is not illegal. That is the 2 3/4 drop 10. Bat rolling is a process of compressing the fibers of a bat to make it more durable and improve its performance. We also offer a variety of resources for baseball players, including tips on hitting, pitching, and fielding. Your Question What bats are illegal in USA Baseball? Is it okay to do that? Devices, treatments, or substances within the bat that modify its specifications or/or increase its performance (for example, shaving, rolling, or artificially warming the barrel) are prohibited and render the bat illegal. Prior to the modern era of baseball, players were taught to respect the game and respect their opponents, and bat flips were regarded as disrespectful by many people. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company. Multi-wall bats with composite in their barrel are against the law for slow pitch softball. The ball is no longer alive. USSSA youth baseball will NOT be implementing this rule change to the bats. To be successful, we recommend playing soft toss, off-the-beaten-path, or on a tee with real baseballs for 150-200 swings. When hitting the ball, USSSA bats offer a greater trampoline effect due to their larger barrel diameter. This will, no doubt, shorten the usable life of your composite bat. All levels of USSSA play will allow wood bats. Major League Baseball took immediate action and made certain that he used a legal bat in the following games. Several studies have shown that bat rolling has no significant effect on performance. Is It Illegal? This more protracted process of gradually increasing the pressure by 25% is my preferred option should I ever roll a bat. It is not a crime to roll a bat. A shot of 200 feet is now a shot of 220 feet. Using a shaven bat is a dangerous move that can result in ejection from the game and league suspensions. Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. He thinks its made a difference in the bat, but its hard to tell without official measurements. There is no clear answer, but there are a few things to consider. The Louisville Slugger Select 719 USA bat has a barrel diameter of 2 1/2 inches and is made with ST 7U1+ ALLOY. Certain levels of the game also have bat specifications that must be adhered to. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The case for legally rolling your bat for leagues like High School and Little League is difficult to make, but there are plenty that do. Bat rolling is a process in which a bat is put into a bat rolling machine and rolled back and forth until the fibers in the bat become more compact. Albert Pujols gave Maldonado illegal maple bats as a gift; PujolsJos Albert PujolsJos Alfonso Pujols Alcntara (born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman. Yes, it is. It is a process that is often used on youth bats because it makes the bat easier to swing and helps to improve the childs batting average and power potential. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. No artificial or intentional means shall be used to control the temperature of the bat.. We have those plastic portable fold-up bat racks that hook onto the fence. The sanctions rely on a testing facility to test each bat for allowable limits. Instead, they claim, bat rolling simply speedsup the process by which a bat is broken in. USA models will not be as good as USSSA models. Baseball teams in the Little League Major Baseball Division and below must use USA Baseball Standard bats, whereas BBCOR bats must be used in the Intermediate (50/70) and Junior League Baseball Divisions. Unless otherwise specified, any bat that has cracks, sharp edges, or does not pass through the appropriate bat ring should be removed from play. Compression testing can also tell you if a bat has been shaved or rolled. It will be a smooth, rounded stick, made of wood or of material and color tested, and will be acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard. Quick Answer: What bats are illegal in USSSA baseball? Both result in a less effective structure. However, dont expect miracles. For each of the subsequent three cycles, they increase that number by another 25%. Each one of us at Baseball Mode is a baseball enthusiast in one area or another. The most common way is typically done by removing the end cap and running a lathe down the inside diameter of the bat. While some players have claimed that bat rolling does not affect the performance of their bat, there is still some debate about this. The graphic peeling off the bat in odd places, usually where the end of the rollers meets the bat, can be used to determine whether or not the bat has been rolled. Rolling a bat accelerates the break-in time and the time it takes a bat to become hot, which typically takes more than 500 hits to become hot. 2022 Victus Vandal USSSA Baseball Bats. If you are caught, your child will be subject to ejection from the game and will always be known as a cheater. This is the online home for all things baseball. } While some argue that bat shaving gives players an unfair advantage by giving them more power, others contend that it provides a level playing field for all players. Some rule books do specifically outlaw bat rolling by name . This means the bat is exempt from all field compression testing in NSA play. Differences between USA Bats and USSSA Bats I knew the local leagues had outlawed USSSA bats because they had way too much pop, and they adopted the USA bat standard, which attempted to make bats that hit like wood bats but maintained their durability. Rolling a bat violates the rules by altering the specifications of the bat and/or increasing its performance in ways that are prohibited by the rules. If your odds of getting caught are a factor in your decision tohaveyour bat shaved, beware. Bats are approved for play if they meet the BPF standard. Bat rolling is the process of compressing the composite fiber within a bat to achieve a quicker break-in. The method of rolling a slow pitch softball bat improves the distance and pop of the ball. When purchasing a composite bat, it is critical to select a bat with USSSA certification in order to achieve its best performance. Bats must pass through a two-1/4-inch (5.1150 cm) diameter ring before being allowed to enter the legal bat box, and they must be no thicker than two-1/4 inches (5.1150 cm) at their thickest point, no larger than 34 inches (86.360 The United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSA) established regulations for softball bats, and it has expanded its influence to include other sports. Wood bats can be used at all levels of USSSA play. USSSA standards were introduced in 2005, and they were in effect even after the USA Bat standard was introduced in 2018. The metal bats have a pop to them that players have come to like, while the wooden bats have a more dead feel. Bat shaving is the following process of bat rolling. You can expect serious legal liabilitiesmany of them potentially criminalif a player is hurt from a hit off your shaved bat. You can't see the effects and there is no test. Length/weight ratio must be -3 and stamped BBCOR. Rolled bats, they claim, do not violate bat standards. Instead, they simply work in composite bats faster. The NFHS has stated that they are against bat altering, urging all high school coaches and administrators to discourage their players from altering their bats. To learn more about our Heat Roll with . As a matter of fact, all composite bats must be rolled in testing before they are deemed legal for play. link to The 32 Best Baseball Walk Up Songs Rap - 90s Edition. Alan Paul explains why. The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and Junior League Baseball Divisions have to use either USABat Standard orBBCOR bats. The United States of America bats are required in the Tee Ball, Minor, and Major divisions of Little League Baseball. I knew that the leagues in our area had outlawed USSSA bats, because they had way too much pop, and adopted the USA bat standard, which strove to make bats that hit like wood ones, but maintained the durability of metal bats. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We have read the rules outlined by the High School and Little League associations, which most leagues default to, several times now. A good hit with a wood bat will come off the bat quicker than a metal one. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Others argue that bat rolling is nothing more than a waste of time and money. Most bats have a rotation index on them that'll serve as your guide during this easy 3-step break-in process. The pitchers are already at a disadvantage with these juiced bats, so stop ruining the integrity of the game and let the kids put in the work to help them improve. USSSA baseball bats must meet a certain set of standards to be approved for play. Illegal tampering includes adjusting the bats weight, length, or surface area. Indeed, the bat does not exceedperformance limits, just reaching them sooner. But is bat rolling illegal in USSSA baseball? Rolling a bat is a common practice among many players, but it is illegal and has the potential to result in suspensions. High school (NFHS) and Collegiate play are governed under the BBCOR standards. { Rolling an aluminum bat would be the same as compressing a soda can. In the end, Little League Baseballs ultimate goal is to create an environment of safety and fair play for all of its players. The US Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is a non-profit organization that governs youth completion across a variety of sports, including baseball. But, if you are here to learn the entire story, take for example, the language in the National Federation of High Schools concerning bat altering: As well, Little Leagues written statement is worth a review, too. In terms of shaving, on the other hand, we can makeno reasonable case that it islegal for play. If the bat rolling process is not done correctly, you will be able to see the machines roller marks on the bat. It is a process in which an aluminum or composite bat is rolled to compress the fibers of the bat, making it harder and more durable. Before using the bat, it is critical to break it in correctly to ensure maximum performance. BASEBALL WITHDRAWN BATS. event : evt, The use of corked bats in this manner, as demonstrated in this incident, should not be taken lightly. The Easton Ghost Double Barrel (-10 AE) is a good choice for those looking to get a double barrel. YES. Does a more expensive bat make a difference? (2) USSSA marks and other graphics of the bat must be applied permanently and must be applied by the USSSA licensed manufacturer. What is the difference between ASA and USSSA bats? Some rollers maximize the pressure on the first sequence, and this causes issues with durability or paints cracking. There are 2 Bat Stamps & Standards for USSSA Slowpitch Softball. No umpire will be able to tell that your bat has been altered if you advertise your services this way. Those who damage, alter, or tamper with bats are breaking the law. To be certified as a USSSA bat, a bat barrel must not exceed 2.75 inches in diameter, and the weight of a USSSA bat must be at least 200% of that of an USA Bat. Ultimately, the answer to this question comes down to the particular league and the rules it has in place for detecting bat rolling. Certain levels of the game also have bat specifications that must be adhered to. Our Heated Bat Rolling Services using our EPP (Electric Progressive Parallel) Technique on ALL bats will dramatically improve the performance of any composite Softball or Baseball bat by 20-40 feet. The NFHS writes the competition rules for most high school sports and activities, which more than 19,500 high schools use nationwide. While we don't discuss the legalities of Bat Rolling we would recommend that you consult your local league or association prior to purchasing our Bat Rolling Service or purchasing a bat that has been heat rolled. This concept stems from the belief that by flipping the bat, an individual is making an effort to show respect for the opposing pitcher and the opposing team. As well, durability is seriously compromised. Most in the bat testing industry considerbat rolling to be illegal. Some people say bat rolling is illegal but that is not true. This compression loosens the composite fibers in the barrel. While the studies mentioned above found that bat rolling has no significant effect on the trampoline effect or the durability of bats, it can help to increase the bats speed. Jessy is an avid baseball fan and writer for the popular website, Baseball Writes. According to the NHSF, the only way to guarantee legal play is to use a BBCOR bat. There are two types of bat rolling machines: manual and automatic. This is the first and only bat available in the market with the NSA FASTPITCH ONLY certification. } Senior League Baseball Bats are USSSA baseball bats that are primarily used by players in child-level leagues. bat manufacturers even claim it is NOT illegal, Daniel Russell has the definitive argument of, RIP-ITs blog where they claim it is NOT illegal is, Eastons claim that it voids the warranty is. Imagine hitting a third baseman in the head or injuring a pitcher on a come-backer with a shaved bat meant to exceed performance. The use of any bat that has been altered shall result in the bat being declared illegal, and the player will be subject to ejection from the game.. Ultimately, the most important thing is to swing a bat that youre comfortable with and feels good in your hands. The USA bat is a three piece hybrid bat, it has a barrel made of alloy and a handle made of 100% composite. If the bat exceeds a barrel diameter of 2.75 inches, it would not be certified according to USSSA Bat rules. In order to be allowed to play in a USSSA league or tournament, bats must either be made of wood or have a USSSA mark on them. All non-approved bats, as well as all bats with a BPF greater than 1.20, are strictly prohibited and considered illegal in USSSA play. If a composite bat only has so many hits inside of it, manufacturing a number of hits on the bat through rolling will lower the amount of hits before the bats life ends. Ultimately they will result in: Legal Action: If someone is injured while using an altered bat the owner of the bat, person in the batters box and person who altered the bat are liable for the outcome and can face charges for the damages. As well, they correctlycite thatbat rolling is the exact process by which those who test the bat for approval work in a bat. Without surprise, companies that offer bat rolling or shaving make no mention of these. The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is an organization that provides competitive youth and adult sports opportunities. LongballBats.com Heat Rolling a 2019 Miken Kyle Pearson Freak 23 USSSA Slowpitch Softball Bat MKP23U. callback: cb You will need to be careful when using a power drill not to remove too much of the bat wall. Our short answer is probably for rolling and flat out YESfor shaving. It is allowed in Little League as long as the bat meets the standards set forth by the league. It is critical to avoid scratches, burrs, cracks, and sharp edges.