Little League Issues Updated Information on Bat Moratorium

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 20, 2011

This article was updated on May 16, 2011

On Dec. 30, 2010, Little League International announced it had expanded its moratorium on the use of composite bats to all of its baseball divisions, including the Little League (Majors) division, effective immediately.

Because of the moratorium, several common questions have arisen. We have addressed the most common questions below with Patrick Wilson, Little League International’s Vice President of Operations.

If you have further questions, we encourage you to sign on to Little League’s Facebook page. At that page, over the past few days, Little League International staff has answered hundreds of questions regarding the moratorium. The Little League Facebook page is here: http://www.facebook.com/LittleLeagueBaseballAndSoftball

By definition, a moratorium is: An authorized delay or stopping of some specified activity. As applied by Little League International, the moratorium disallows the use of all baseball bats constructed with composite material in its barrel unless a specific model shows in laboratory testing that it will not exceed the standard that is printed on the bat, after the bat is broken in.

There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Individual bat models are tested at an independent laboratory, and the results are conveyed to the manufacturer. If the manufacturer provides the results to Little League, and the bat passes the test, it will be noted on one of the two following lists.

Information on the composite baseball bats that have received waivers for the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League can be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm

Information on the composite baseball bats that have received waivers for the Little League (Majors) Baseball Division and below can be found here:
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbatssmall.htm (This list is updated regularly, please check the page for the latest additions)

Wooden and aluminum metal/alloy bats are not subject to the moratorium. Bats that have only a metal or alloy barrel (and no other material, unless it is in the end cap of the bat), and if it meets the other standards (length, diameter, etc. for the respective division in which it is used) are not subject to the moratorium, regardless of the composition of the handle or the transition to the barrel.

A listing of licensed, non-wood/non-composite baseball bats for use in the Little League (Majors) Division and below can be found here: http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/2011ApprovedNonWoodBatList.pdf (This list is updated regularly, please download for latest version)

“The moratorium is not the result of Little League changing its bat standards, nor was it influenced by any relationships with bat manufacturers,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “The decision to place the moratorium on composite bats in Little League’s baseball divisions is based solely on the fact that scientific research showed that composite-barreled bats may exceed the performance standard that is printed on the bats, after the bats had been broken in. Until that research was in hand there was no data to support an earlier decision.

“For the same reason, a delay or phase-in period for existing composite bats would be the wrong decision. A delay or phase-in would mean we would have allowed bats to be used, after we had data from laboratory research to show such bats exceed the standard printed on the bat.”

Little League International first placed the moratorium on composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that moratorium, scientific research that began on October 18, 2010, showed the need for the same moratorium on composite-barreled bats with 2 1/4 inch barrels as well. Starting in September, and throughout the following weeks, this information was conveyed multiple times to every local Little League, every district, to the media, on Facebook, on the Little League web site, and to more than 250,000 parents who had signed up to receive updates from Little League International.

The original announcement regarding the moratorium, enacted on September 1, 2010, is here: http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2010/Sep-Dec/CompositeBatMoratium.htm

“We needed to wait to make a decision until there was conclusive scientific research on the smaller barrel bats,” Mr. Wilson said. “A decision any earlier was not possible. Within hours of receiving enough of that data to make a decision, Little League made it, and we let our constituents know about it. From the beginning, and throughout this process, we have used the means at our disposal to keep everyone informed.”

The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.

Frequently Asked Questions – Composite Bat Moratorium

Q-1: How can you identify composite, alloy and half-half bats?

A: Most bats indicate whether it is composite or metal/alloy. Look closely at the barrel for its designation and composition. For any others, you would need to check the manufacturer website or call them to see if the specific model has a composite barrel.

Bats that have been manufactured to date may have the Little League name on them, as well as the BPF. However, going forward Little League will not approve new composite bats that have not been tested to meet the performance standard through the life of the bat, and any bat with a composite barrel cannot be used in the Little League (Majors) Division and below. The position also applies to the teenage baseball divisions for bats that have not received a waiver.

Q-2: How does someone identify an older composite bat that is not labeled as composite?

A: Older composite bats, or any non-wood bats, would not be allowed to be used in Little League play without the BPF 1.15 printed on the barrel. Additionally, composite bats that have the BPF listed, and may even have the Little League name and logo on them, are now subject to the moratorium.

Q-3: What if my bat has a composite handle, and a metal/alloy barrel?

A: If the bat is labeled as having a composite handle and a metal/alloy barrel (and not a composite barrel), provided it meets all the other standards for the division, it is acceptable. The transition from the handle to the barrel can be composite.

Q-4: Why did you make this decision right after Christmas?

A: We worked diligently to get the research in place. We didn't have the research information one, three or six months ago. Instead, when the information came to us, we made the decision within hours of receiving it. With that kind of scientific research in hand, not making a decision, or delaying it, was not an option.

In this case, the scientific research showed that composite youth baseball bats that had a BPF rating of 1.15 when new, actually could exceed the 1.15 rating after being used, broken in. That's why we announced the moratorium ... and why we let parents know about the research last September.

Q-5: Why are softball bats not covered?

A: To date, there is currently no similar scientific research available on the performance of bats used in Little League’s softball program.

Q-6: Did Little League do this just to get more royalties from all the new bats that need to be bought?

A: This decision by Little League International was made completely independent of any manufacturer of bats, and was based on performance of the composite bats, as opposed to metal/alloy or wood bats.

The bats used in the research that Little League International commissioned at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell, were bought anonymously by Little League International.

Little League International's royalties from bat sales represents a very small percentage of Little League Baseball, Incorporated’s operating budget. For various reasons, our decision to impose this moratorium will result in lower royalties. Despite the fact that we face lower royalties doing the right thing was first and foremost on our minds.

In fact, our District Administrators and League Presidents were informed of the results of the decision before our bat licensees were informed and before any of the bat manufacturers were informed.

The decision making all bats that can be used in any game perform - throughout the life of the bat - within a certain acceptable standard, is the clear and common-sense best answer.

Q-7: Is my bat (insert model here) OK?

A: To find out if a specific bat is acceptable, visit the “Is My Bat OK?” guide

Q-8: Are the bat manufacturers going to offer a rebate on the bats that are deemed unusable in Little League?

A: Each bat manufacturer will decide on its return/exchange policy and possible rebates toward the purchase of Little League compliant bats. Check with your local equipment retailer for guidance on possible rebates or returns.

Q-9: Does Little League realize even more people are going to go to other organized youth baseball organizations because of this?

A: Ultimately, if other programs, and parents, choose in favor of programs that may not have the same philosophy as Little League, we cannot help that.

We can only make rules and regulations for Little Leaguers, based on the best interests of the children involved, using data from scientific research. Whether or not any of the smaller non-Little League programs follow our lead is up to them.

Q-10: Is the list of licensed baseball bats (linked above) a complete list of all the bats that are “legal” for use in the Little League (Majors) Division and below?

A: No, such a list would be impossible to create, since it would include all bats in the world that meet the criteria for the division of play. A baseball bat only needs to meet the criteria for the division, which includes all pertinent specifics in Rule 1.10, and must meet the criteria of the moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats.

Q-11: Will Little League be releasing any details of the research, or a list of bats that may or may not have completed the research?

A: The scientific research has been completed by the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The Executive Summary of that research, which offers conclusive and clear proof that composite-barreled baseball bats (2 1/4 inch diameter) can exceed the standard that is printed on the bat, after the bat has undergone the Accelerated Break-In process in a laboratory. Little League has provided that Executive Summary to other youth baseball organizations which may choose to act on it, or may choose to ignore it, as they see fit. Little League has acted on it appropriately and reasonably by enacting the moratorium. Little League may, at some point, release some details of the research to the public.

Q-12: Since there will be a new standard for all non-wood bats in the Senior League Baseball and Big League Baseball Divisions in 2012, and for composite-barreled 2 5/8 bats in the Junior League Baseball Division, will non-wood bats that comply with the BBCOR standard THIS YEAR be acceptable for use in those divisions?

A: Yes. Although such bats will probably not be widely available to most local Little Leagues in 2011, a bat that meets the 2012 BBCOR standard will be acceptable for use in the Junior League, Senior League and Big League Baseball Divisions this year (2011), provided the bat meets all other conditions of Rule 1.10 for that division of play. It is important to note that the BBCOR standard in 2012 will apply to ALL non-wood bats, not just composite bats, in Senior and Big League Baseball Divisions. The BBCOR standard will apply to composite-barreled bats in the Junior League Baseball Division.