Why must BBCOR bats be used in the Major Baseball division?

As you may or may not know, the rules for all HAJBA baseball divisions are based on the National Federation High School (NFHS) rules.

There is a NFHS rule that we need to make you aware of.

The rule is NFHS 1.3.2, which requires all non-wood bats to meet the Batted Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard.  This is a much stricter standard than the old BESR standard.

According to the NFHS, “the new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities”.

Here is a link to an article that explains the BBCOR bat standard:

http://www.stevetheump.com/BBCOR.htm

The HAJBA Board of Directors discussed this new rule at our December 2011 meeting, and has decided to enforce this rule at the “Major” baseball division only.

The bat rules for all other divisions of HAJBA baseball will not change, for now.

We felt that due to the varying size, age and weight of the children in the Major baseball division, enforcing this NFHS rule for this division makes sense.

So in a nutshell, players that are 13 through 15 years old, and participate in our  Major Baseball division will have to use a bat that is stamped with the “BBCOR” certification stamp.

This stamp ensures that the bat meets the standards as defined in the NFHS 1.3.2 rule.

So please allow us to be clear.

For the Major baseball division, only BBCOR stamped bats will be allowed to be used.

This pertains to when a team is both practicing and playing in a game.

During this first season (2012) of “transition” to this new rule, the league will provide (1) BBCOR stamped bat for use by each Major baseball team.

We wanted to make you aware of this rule change so that you could keep it in mind if your child will be playing in the Major baseball division, and you are going to be out shopping for a new bat for them.

So prior to buying a new bat for your Major division baseball player, please be sure it meets the BBCOR standard, and has a BBCOR certification stamp on it.