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TRIPLE CROWN BAT REGULATIONS FOR 2012

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[quote][i]Originally posted by Peanutsr[/i]
[br]This comes from a 2009 article and should clear everything up...........[:D] 
What is the performance of a baseball bat or softball bat and how is it measured?  Bat performance standards are set and regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Little League, USSSA, and Amateur Softball Association (ASA) in the United States and many countries around the world.  Bat performance measurements for non-wooden bats are used to bring the game back into balance between offense and defense and to maintain the sport's safety due to high batted-ball speed as new metal bat technology evolves.  The study of bat performance gets interesting when you realize that their is not a common test or testing methodology between all these organizations, such that batted-ball speed (BBS), bat performance factor (BPF), bat exit speed ratio (BESR), and bat-ball coefficient-of-restitution (BBCOR) are different measurements trying to accomplish the same goal.

NCAA and NFHS Bat Performance Measurements
In 1999, the NCAA developed a bat performance regulation based on the BESR of the reference 34" long wood bat with an assumed pitched ball speed of 70 mph and a bat swing speed of 66 mph.  It was quickly realized that BESR, which measures bat-bat collision efficiency, also needed the accompany bat swing speed measurement, called the moment-of-inertia (or MOI), to estimate the ball speed coming off a bat.   The targeted maximum batted-ball speed using the reference bat is 97 mph.  Please note that this is not the maximum batted-ball speed possible, but a target, since both wood and aluminum bats can produce higher speeds if the pitcher is throwing faster or the swing is faster than the reference measurement.  This target is set as a reference point so that wood and aluminum bats will produce the same ball speed under the same conditions within a few mph.  A fact that has be validated in several field studies.

In 2000, the NCAA and NFHS decided to establish the maximum collision efficiency (BESR), maximum barrel size, and bat drop[1] (for the same batter, a heavier bat has a slower swing speed) to keep the estimated batted-ball speed of an aluminum bat around the same speed of the reference wood bat.  To be NCAA and NFHS certified, the bat must have a BESR of 0.728 or less, maximum barrel diameter of 2 5/8" and cannot have a drop greater than -3.

In the fall of 2008, the NCAA announced that they will change their bat performance measurement to use BBCOR, which is the ratio of bat-ball speed before and after the collision and measures the elasticity of the bat-ball collision.  The date for mandatory BBCOR certification for bats is the 2011 season and there will be no grandfather clause for bats certified under BESR.  This change will not affect the current testing methodology but will eliminate the small discrepancy between bat lengths and more directly align the measurement of bat performance with the ball's exit speed.  In order to achieve certification, the BBCOR will need to be 0.50 or less with a maximum length-to-weight difference (drop) of -3 and a bat diameter less than 2 5/8 inches.

Note:  I have not seen it yet, but I would expect the NFHS to follow this mandate for high school baseball.

ASA Bat Performance Measurements
 Also in 2000, the ASA established a bat performance regulation by directly measuring the batted-ball speed (BBS) of a slow pitch metal bat called the "ball-in, ball-out" measurement.  The ASA reference measurement is based on a ball being pitched at 10 mph and a bat swing speed of 60 mph hitting the bat at the maximum batted-ball speed performance point, called center-of-percussion (COP).  From this, the ASA determined that the maximum ball speed of a hit ball should be 85 mph or lower for the bat to become certified.

In 2004, after a field study conducted at the National Tournament in Montgomery, AL, the ASA adjusted their reference metric to more closely resemble the pitched ball and bat swinging speed of the game.  While maintaining their current measurement method, the ball pitched speed was increased to 25 mph and the bat swinging speed was increased to 85 mph.  Additionally, the field study showed that the maximum batted-ball speed performance point (formerly labeled COP) actually varied from bat model to bat model and bat maker to bat maker.  This required that the bat being certified initially undergo testing to determine the maximum performance location first and then the pitched ball is to be targeted at that location.  Based on these updated assumptions, the ASA determine that for a bat to be certified the maximum batted-ball speed should be 98 mph or less.   Even though the numerical value of BBS with the 2004 standard is higher than the 2000 standard, it is actually a much stricter standard.

In 2008, the ASA updated their testing procedure to account for the fact that composite bats reach their peak performance after they are broken in by hundreds of bat-ball collisions and the composite fibers and resins loosen up to provide a larger trampoline effect.  Starting with the 2009 composite bat models, the ASA will simulate up to 1000 swings before a composite bat will be tested against the ASA 2004 certification tests.  Composite bat models certified under the old testing procedure will be grandfathered and can be used until they are no longer safe for use.  This testing procedure change will not affect 2009 metal bats since their performance decreases with use.

USSSA and Little League Bat Performance Measurements
 During the early 1990s, Little League reached an agreement with bat manufactures to limit the performance on non-wood bats to the expected performance level of the best wood bats at that time.  They created a metric called the bat performance factor (BPF) which must be less than 1.15 in order for a bat to be certified for Little League play.  The BPF metric is equal to the ratio of the "bounciness" of a baseball off a bat (called bat-ball coefficient of restitution or BBCOR) to a baseball off a hard wall (called bat-wall coefficient of restitution or BWCOR).  The BPF metric does not include any assumptions pertaining to bat speed so it is more effective at testing shorter youth bats since the effective bat speed can vary by bat length and the location of the bats center of mass (ie., end loaded or handle loaded).  The USSSA uses the same bat performance metric but allows for a slightly higher BPF = 1.20 or less.

For the 2009 season, Little League has made two changes:  1) all bat must have a BPF label printed on them, and 2) all "big barrel" used in junior league (age 13 years and older) can have a maximum barrel diameter of 2 3/4".  Most bat manufactures have been complying with these rules for years so little change is expected.

Summary
Over the past 10 years, the governing bodies of baseball and softball have been regulating the performance of non-wood bats (usually made of aluminum) to perform statistically the same, in terms of how fast the ball exits the bat, as the best wood bats.  The organizations have chosen the best wood bats to encourage and allow the use of wood bats within their organization's teams.  Although their testing methodology and batted-ball performance metric may differ, they all include some type of measurement of how "springy" a bat-ball collision is based on a preset bat-ball speed collision.  Their two-fold object is to maintain the defense and offense balance and the safety of the game players.

Here is a recap of the current testing methodology.

Regulate Batted-Ball Speed Directly: ASA is based on slow-pitch reference point of a pitch traveling at 25 mph and the bat swing speed of 85 mph after determining the maximum performance location on the bat barrel.  For a ball to be certified, the BBS must be 98 mph or less.  Due to the testing methodology of measuring the "ball-in, ball-out" speed with a stationary bat, the "whip action" from the flexible bat handle bats, the testing of shorter youth style bats, and the higher pitching velocity normal in the fastpitch variant of softball can produce results that are either higher or lower by a few mph.

Regulate Batted-Ball Speed Indirectly:  NCAA and NFHS BESR, maximum barrel size of 2 5/8" and drop standard of minus 3 limit the collision efficiency and bat swing speed.  They will certify a -3 bat that has a BESR equal to or less than 0.728.  For the 2011 season, the BESR certification will no longer be allowed and the new BBCOR certification will be required.

Regulate the Collision Efficiency Indirectly:  USSSA softball and Little League regulate the BPF, which is a metric of the efficiency that a bat can make the ball bounce versus a ball bouncing off a wall.  Due to the testing methodology of "ball-in, bat-out" with a stationary bat used by Little League, the measured results have greater variability than the "ball-in, ball-out" testing methodology used by ASA.  This is due to the low bat elasticity and the ball-bat collision producing up and down vibrations that dissipate energy.

Over the past ten years, organizations have changed their bat performance metric and assumed bat-ball collision speeds to more realistically represent game situations.  It can be anticipated that during the next ten years more changes will occur as organization continue to work to maintain the offense-defense balance and the safety of the game.

[/quote]

T O P I C R E V I E W
TripleCrownAdministrator	Posted - 09/01/2011 : 15:38:54 COACHES, PARENTS, AND PLAYERS: TRIPLE CROWN HAS MADE THE FINAL DECISION ON THEIR BATS FOR THE 2012 SPRING BASEBALL SEASON AND MOVING FORWARD. AGE GROUPS OF 13U AND BELOW WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE BATS THAT ARE CERTIFIED WITH THE LABEL "BPF 1.15". ALL OF THE BATS WITHOUT THIS LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. THERE WILL BE NO REGULATION ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEIGHT AND LENGTH. 14U AGE GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED TO SWING A DROP 5 CERTIFIED LABEL "BPF 1.15" OR A DROP 3 BBCOR BAT. ALL OF THE BATS THAT DO NOT HAVE EITHER LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. AGE GROUPS OF 15U AND ABOVE WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SWING A DROP 3 WITH THE CERTIFIED "BBCOR" LABEL. ALL BATS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE BBCOR LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. ANY BATS WITH THE USSSA STICKER AND MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE WILL BE ALLOWED AT ALL OF OUR EVENTS. THESE BAT SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE IN FULL EFFECT FOR THE SPRING 2012 BASEBALL SEASONS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE IN RESPONSE TO THE BAT ISSUE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL OUR OFFICE AT 904-230-3993 OR E-MAIL ME AT TRIPLECROWNSPORTS@LITESTREAM.NET THANK YOU. TONY VONDOLTEREN GA TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
TAZ980002	Posted - 04/08/2012 : 22:09:34 Thanks Tony.
TripleCrownAdministrator	Posted - 04/08/2012 : 20:32:20 ALL COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FANS: We have gone to numerous EASTON BAT DISTRIBUTORS and they have cleared their bats for legal use in our tournaments that have these lasered stamps. The bat that is in question is the EASTON OMEN minus 5 senior league bat. They apparently had made bats prior to the new bat rules that came out, only to have them etch the USSSA BPF 1.15 stamp onto the bat. These bats are found with the serial number. You can check the list of bats from their website below. The list of bats can be found on their website at: http://blogs.eastonbaseball.com/batrules/ I had safety concerns with their practices and was told that the bats had met the specifications. I have done everything in my power to ensure the safety of the game. There is no doubt that the Easton Omen is one of the HOTTEST and LOADED bats on the market. I think that this is why they have discontinued making them. I had the discussion with our corporate office and they also would not ban the bat until something out there told them otherwise. I have to follow the guidelines from our corporate office down. I hope that this puts this topic to rest for at least the time being. There is also a black market out there advertising to copy the USSSA BPF 1.15 engraving mark on any old bat!!!! This is making this situation very hard to monitor as a result! I am just hoping that these teams, coaches, and players are putting a lot of kids at risk! We will continue to monitor these bats the very best we can and penalize these individuals accordingly. Thank you. Tony VonDolteren GA Triple Crown Baseball
TAZ980002	Posted - 04/08/2012 : 13:39:05 quote: Originally posted by TripleCrownAdministrator COACHES, PARENTS, AND PLAYERS: TRIPLE CROWN HAS MADE THE FINAL DECISION ON THEIR BATS FOR THE 2012 SPRING BASEBALL SEASON AND MOVING FORWARD. AGE GROUPS OF 13U AND BELOW WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE BATS THAT ARE CERTIFIED WITH THE LABEL "BPF 1.15". ALL OF THE BATS WITHOUT THIS LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. THERE WILL BE NO REGULATION ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEIGHT AND LENGTH. 14U AGE GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED TO SWING A DROP 5 CERTIFIED LABEL "BPF 1.15" OR A DROP 3 BBCOR BAT. ALL OF THE BATS THAT DO NOT HAVE EITHER LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. AGE GROUPS OF 15U AND ABOVE WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SWING A DROP 3 WITH THE CERTIFIED "BBCOR" LABEL. ALL BATS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE BBCOR LABEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. ANY BATS WITH THE USSSA STICKER AND MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE WILL BE ALLOWED AT ALL OF OUR EVENTS. THESE BAT SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE IN FULL EFFECT FOR THE SPRING 2012 BASEBALL SEASONS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE IN RESPONSE TO THE BAT ISSUE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL OUR OFFICE AT 904-230-3993 OR E-MAIL ME AT TRIPLECROWNSPORTS@LITESTREAM.NET THANK YOU. TONY VONDOLTEREN GA TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL Tony, are these still the guidelines governing bats for your tournaments this year? I've heard that certain "etched" USSSA bats are not going to be allowed this coming weekend at your tournament.
in_the_know	Posted - 11/21/2011 : 20:54:11 Easton Rival drop 5 (30/25) BG12XL quote: Originally posted by HITANDRUN quote: Originally posted by in_the_know I know there are alot of comments about how there is no difference between last year's non-stamped bats and the current stamped bpf 1.15 bats. I'm not finding that to be true. I have two identical Easton bats, one from last season and the other is a new, stamped bpf 1.15. Both are the same length and weight. The pop of the ball off both bats is significantly different. The sound is significantly different. These are not the same bats. The only way a manufacturer is "stamping" a used bat that you already have from last season is that the bat could already meet the bpf 1.15 compliance, or they are doing a warranty replacement for you and will send you a different bat. Send it in for replacement and see if you get the EXACT same bat back with a stamp applied, or if they merely swap it for a different bat. If swapped, I seriously doubt the bat will perform the same as the original. You can tell the difference. These aren't the same bats as some previous comments state. What type and size bat did you compare? What model?
HITANDRUN	Posted - 11/21/2011 : 17:23:18 quote: Originally posted by in_the_know I know there are alot of comments about how there is no difference between last year's non-stamped bats and the current stamped bpf 1.15 bats. I'm not finding that to be true. I have two identical Easton bats, one from last season and the other is a new, stamped bpf 1.15. Both are the same length and weight. The pop of the ball off both bats is significantly different. The sound is significantly different. These are not the same bats. The only way a manufacturer is "stamping" a used bat that you already have from last season is that the bat could already meet the bpf 1.15 compliance, or they are doing a warranty replacement for you and will send you a different bat. Send it in for replacement and see if you get the EXACT same bat back with a stamp applied, or if they merely swap it for a different bat. If swapped, I seriously doubt the bat will perform the same as the original. You can tell the difference. These aren't the same bats as some previous comments state. What type and size bat did you compare? What model?
Spartan4	Posted - 09/28/2011 : 09:23:07 quote: Originally posted by in_the_know I know there are alot of comments about how there is no difference between last year's non-stamped bats and the current stamped bpf 1.15 bats. I'm not finding that to be true. I have two identical Easton bats, one from last season and the other is a new, stamped bpf 1.15. Both are the same length and weight. The pop of the ball off both bats is significantly different. The sound is significantly different. These are not the same bats. The only way a manufacturer is "stamping" a used bat that you already have from last season is that the bat could already meet the bpf 1.15 compliance, or they are doing a warranty replacement for you and will send you a different bat. Send it in for replacement and see if you get the EXACT same bat back with a stamp applied, or if they merely swap it for a different bat. If swapped, I seriously doubt the bat will perform the same as the original. You can tell the difference. These aren't the same bats as some previous comments state. There is a major difference in the -3 bats and I believe in the -5 bats, however I spoke with an Easton rep regarding the bat my nephew uses the -9 Rival and was told the bats are EXACTLY the same just a different paint job. He then went on to say that many of the bats are exactly the same and only certain bats were changed. Another reason many feel this is ALL ABOUT MONEY is to my knowledge as well as others I have spoken with is the small barrel bats were not changed and they were the hottest bats in the 10/11/12U age groups last season. It wasn't unusual to see 80lb kids hitting the ball 275ft... The BBCOR bats are tons different but that just isn't the case with many of the bats the younger groups use.
HITANDRUN	Posted - 09/27/2011 : 14:45:19 quote: Originally posted by dad4kids I just called too to find out that you're right, unfortunately. They say they have no way of stamping existing bats with BPF 1.10 and can't exchange a used for new. Wonderful. Did you say "BPF 1.15" or did you say BPF 1.10? Maybe they misunderstood 1.10.
in_the_know	Posted - 09/27/2011 : 13:03:29 I know there are alot of comments about how there is no difference between last year's non-stamped bats and the current stamped bpf 1.15 bats. I'm not finding that to be true. I have two identical Easton bats, one from last season and the other is a new, stamped bpf 1.15. Both are the same length and weight. The pop of the ball off both bats is significantly different. The sound is significantly different. These are not the same bats. The only way a manufacturer is "stamping" a used bat that you already have from last season is that the bat could already meet the bpf 1.15 compliance, or they are doing a warranty replacement for you and will send you a different bat. Send it in for replacement and see if you get the EXACT same bat back with a stamp applied, or if they merely swap it for a different bat. If swapped, I seriously doubt the bat will perform the same as the original. You can tell the difference. These aren't the same bats as some previous comments state.
dad4kids	Posted - 09/27/2011 : 10:02:43 I just called too to find out that you're right, unfortunately. They say they have no way of stamping existing bats with BPF 1.10 and can't exchange a used for new. Wonderful.
prestont	Posted - 09/25/2011 : 06:46:04 dad4kids - Easton bat warranty dept told me they would stamp any unused bat in the wrapper. Spoke to them after I saw the post re: Louisville slugger.
Spartan4	Posted - 09/24/2011 : 14:11:06 This isn't about safety.....this is about money..the bats are EXACTLY the same, it has nothing to do with safety. Last season there was a lot of talk about illegal bats, funny there isn't ONE organization with compression testing equipment but each mom and dad can go buy a new bat for their son?!?! If we are trying to be safe lets invest in equipment to cut down on the cheated up bats that are out there...If that keeps one kid from getting smoked from a batted ball then it would be worth it for Triple Crown and USSSA to pick up one right??
dad4kids	Posted - 09/24/2011 : 09:12:09 The 2011 Easton Omens -10 have the BBCOR stamp, and Easton will stamp 2011 Omens upon return. Not sure I believe all this is necessary for safety. If Little League is so concerned about it, why do they have 13 year olds pitching 46' away from home?
BatChipper	Posted - 09/23/2011 : 21:20:44 This bat stuff is out of control. All the organizations should follow high school rules pertaining to the bats. Just use BBCOR and be done with it.
Hurricane	Posted - 09/23/2011 : 16:52:02 quote: Originally posted by 21BS21 I called Louisville Slugger today to ask about the drop 5 EXO that I had bought my son back in May. I was told that for $25 and the cost of shipping, that they will put the USSSA stamp on the bat. The guy told me that I would pay the $25 1st then send it back like a warranty issue. He said he was pretty sure they would offer this until the end of the year. Another example of how these bats are no different from last season. Same metal same weight different paint job.
Hurricane	Posted - 09/23/2011 : 16:49:32 11UFAN What you don't understand is the new stamp is nothing more than a stamp. The new bats are "NOT" BBCOR bats if they were then I would be happy with the ruling. These are the exact same bats everyone used last season with a stupid stamp on it. BBCOR bats are very similar to wood bats in performance these usssa stamped bats are just as dangerous as last season. This ruling is "not' protecting any kids. I also wish we could all go to wood or even BBCOR bats. This is a giant hoax pretending to protect the kids.
11UFAN	Posted - 09/23/2011 : 11:12:12 Hurricane, I don't think its the bat manufacturers changing the rules, its the baseball organizations, although they will make a ton of money with changes like this. The people that run TC down here are good guys and they don't want a kid getting brain damage when some "beast" whose dad wants him to hit 100 HR's drives a ball into the pitchers head. If these new rules prevent even one kid in GA from getting really hurt I for one am more than happy to buy my kid a new bat. Having said that, I think we should all go to wood bats. That would be the best way to prevent kids form getting hurt and forces kids to learn to hit the "right" way. Watching kids get fooled on a pitch, taking a half swing and the ball flying over the center field wall isn't real baseball.
Hurricane	Posted - 09/22/2011 : 12:22:08 I still feel like the bat makers are doing this to sale more bats trying to make it look like they are using some type of system to protect the kids from balls flying off the bats at enormous rates, which is not the case. If it were there would be "NO" legal composite bats on the market. However, several are starting to pop up.
rippit	Posted - 09/22/2011 : 10:42:50 quote: Originally posted by coachdan06 Theyll say : 325 ' according to WHO ? quote: Originally posted by rippit quote: Originally posted by 21BS21 I called Louisville Slugger today to ask about the drop 5 EXO that I had bought my son back in May. I was told that for $25 and the cost of shipping, that they will put the USSSA stamp on the bat. The guy told me that I would pay the $25 1st then send it back like a warranty issue. He said he was pretty sure they would offer this until the end of the year. According to the fence the ball went over. I'm guessing the bbcor design takes about 20-25 feet off distance after what we've seen in the last week using different bats while we still can. And I'd like to call Easton to see if they will put a stamp on the Surge my kid just smacked one 325' with. What do y'all think they'll say??
coachdan06	Posted - 09/22/2011 : 01:15:14 Theyll say : 325 ' according to WHO ? quote: Originally posted by rippit quote: Originally posted by 21BS21 I called Louisville Slugger today to ask about the drop 5 EXO that I had bought my son back in May. I was told that for $25 and the cost of shipping, that they will put the USSSA stamp on the bat. The guy told me that I would pay the $25 1st then send it back like a warranty issue. He said he was pretty sure they would offer this until the end of the year. And I'd like to call Easton to see if they will put a stamp on the Surge my kid just smacked one 325' with. What do y'all think they'll say??
rippit	Posted - 09/21/2011 : 20:53:21 quote: Originally posted by 21BS21 I called Louisville Slugger today to ask about the drop 5 EXO that I had bought my son back in May. I was told that for $25 and the cost of shipping, that they will put the USSSA stamp on the bat. The guy told me that I would pay the $25 1st then send it back like a warranty issue. He said he was pretty sure they would offer this until the end of the year. And I'd like to call Easton to see if they will put a stamp on the Surge my kid just smacked one 325' with. What do y'all think they'll say??
jmjnr	Posted - 09/21/2011 : 12:39:31 I just called Combat to see if they would put the USSSA stamp on a B1 purchased in May 2011. They indicated that they would not stamp any old bats.
21BS21	Posted - 09/20/2011 : 22:07:07 I called Louisville Slugger today to ask about the drop 5 EXO that I had bought my son back in May. I was told that for $25 and the cost of shipping, that they will put the USSSA stamp on the bat. The guy told me that I would pay the $25 1st then send it back like a warranty issue. He said he was pretty sure they would offer this until the end of the year.
rippit	Posted - 09/19/2011 : 18:16:06 quote: Originally posted by Mike Corbin If it doesn't have that stamp or sticker on it then you will not be able to use it in USSSA or Triple Crown tournaments. After January apparently with usssa. Couldn't believe the umps didn't enforce even the drop rule at 14u. Kids hitting with -10. Still. Nevermimd the bbcor rule. Jeesh!!!!
Mike Corbin	Posted - 09/19/2011 : 16:26:06 If it doesn't have that stamp or sticker on it then you will not be able to use it in USSSA or Triple Crown tournaments.
SSBuckeye	Posted - 09/19/2011 : 14:06:14 It's good until 12/31/11. Use it for a batting cage bat after that.

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