To: Salem Youth Baseball Community (ALL)

From: Salem Youth Baseball Board of Directors

Salem Youth Baseball – Bat Rules & Regulations

Little League Baseball Rule 1.10 (Little League Bat Rules) 

Salem Youth Baseball Officials would like to clarify the standard bat rules and regulations set forth by Little League International.  The exact rule (1.10 in the official Little League Rulebook) is outlined below, but we are requesting that any bats that are not USA stamped and approved be left at home. These bats may still be legal or suitable for other leagues, such as travel baseball, but are illegal during Salem Youth Baseball games and practices and will carry harsh punishment if used. A full list of USA Baseball approved bats can be found at www.usabat.com.

PENALTIES

1^st Offense: The batter using the illegal bat is out. Any runners that were on base must return to the base that they were on prior to the use of the illegal bat. Any runs that were scored as result of the use of the illegal bat will be taken off the scoreboard. The Manager/Head Coach of the offending team will be ejected and unable to return for the remainder of the game.

2^nd Offense:  The batter using the illegal bat is out. Any runners that were on base must return to the base that they were on prior to the use of the illegal bat. Any runs that were scored as result of the use of the illegal bat will be taken off the scoreboard. The Manager/Head Coach of the offending team will be ejected and unable to return for the remainder of the game.  The Manager/Head Coach of the offending team will also be suspended for a period that is deemed reasonable by Salem Youth Baseball Officials.   If this is the players 2^nd offense, they will be ejected and unable to return for the remainder of the game. 

3^rd Offense: The batter using the illegal bat is out. Any runners that were on base must return to the base that they were on prior to the use of the illegal bat. Any runs that were scored as result of the use of the illegal bat will be taken off the scoreboard. The Manager/Head Coach of the offending team will be ejected and unable to return for the remainder of the game.  The Manager/Head Coach of the offending team will be relieved of their duties for the remainder of the season – to be handled without negotiation.  If this is the players 3rd offense, they will be ejected and unable to return for the remainder of the game and will also be subject to suspension for a period that is deemed reasonable by Salem Youth Baseball Officials.

Rule 1.10

The bat must be a baseball bat which meets the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick, and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat).

Non-wood and laminated bats used in the Little League (Majors) and below, shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USABat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard. All BPF – 1.15 bats are prohibited. The bat diameter shall not exceed 2⅝ inches for these divisions of play. Bats meeting the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard may also be used in the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League Division. Additional information is available at LittleLeague.org/batinfo.

Tee Ball:

Under the USABat standard, certified Tee Ball bats (26″ and shorter) will feature the USA Baseball mark and text which reads ONLY FOR USE WITH APPROVED TEE BALLS.

NOTE: Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Minor Divisions only with the use of approved Tee Balls. (SYB SPECIFIC UPDATE: TEE BALL BATS ARE ONLY PERMISSABLE IN BAMBINO AND TEE BALL DIVISIONS.  OUR FARM AND ABOVE DIVISIONS ALL USE HARD BALLS AND REQUIRE A USA STAMPED BAT)

Minor/Major Divisions:

It shall not be more than 33 inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed sixteen (16) inches from the small end.

NOTE 1: Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo.

NOTE 2: Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Minor Divisions only with the use of approved Tee Balls. (SEE SYB NOTE ABOVE)

NOTE 3: The traditional batting donut is not permissible.

NOTE 4: The use of pine tar or any other similar adhesive substance is prohibited at all levels of Little League Baseball. Use of these substances will result in the bat being declared illegal and removed from play.

NOTE 5: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that have cracks or sharp edges, or that cannot pass through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed from play. The 2-1/4-inch bat ring must be used for bats labeled 2-1/4. The 2-5/8-inch bat ring must be used for bats labeled for 2-5/8.

NOTE 6: An illegal bat must be removed. Any bat that has been altered shall be removed from play. PENALTY – See Rule – 6.06(d).

Approved Ruling: If the certification mark/s on a bat are not legible, that bat cannot be used and shall be removed from the game.