2009 LL Rules Index
Rules Instruction Manual
Bat Performance Rule - Baseball Only (1.10) and Information
For the last 10 years, bat manufacturers have only been producing non-wood bats for play in Little League Baseball that do not exceed the 1.15 BPF. Most of these bats are already printed with the BPF of 1.15, but beginning in 2009, all bats used in Little League Baseball must be imprinted with the BPF.
The BPF essentially measures how fast a baseball exits the bat when hit. To quantify the BPF, a standard wood bat has a BPF of 1.00. A very good wooden bat's BPF is 1.15.
Non-wood bats approved for use in Little League have the same 1.15 BFP, and as of 2009, that designation is required to be shown on the barrels of all Little League-approved non-wood bats.
Any bat without this imprint will be consider illegal
Rule 1.10
What is changed: Reduces the maximum diameter for a bat in the Junior League Baseball division from 2 3/4 inches to 2 5/8 inches. (Maximum diameter for bats in Senior League and Big League remains at 2 5/8 inches.)
1.10 - The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League specifications and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards.
Little League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less;
Junior League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in length; nor more than 2 5/8 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.
Senior/Big League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in length, nor more than 2 5/8 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. The bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-Iong bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All non-wood bats shall meet the BESR performance standard, and such bats shall be labeled with a permanent certification mark.
In all divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited. An illegal bat must be removed.
NOTE 1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2¾ inch in diameter bat is not allowed in any division.
NOTE 2: The traditional batting donut is not permissible
NOTE 3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League Tee Ball.”
NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Tee Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Junior, Senior and Big League divisions of baseball
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March 18, 2009
It has been brought to the attention of Little League officials
that there are a few bats for sale in stores or that may have already
been purchased that carry the Little League approval, but do not have
the required bat performance standard markings. The Little League
Rulebook states that beginning January 1, 2009, all non-wood bats used
for play in Little League Baseball (majors and below) shall be printed
with a bat performance factor (BPF) of 1.15 or less. While the bats we
have identified pass the BPF standard and other standards of proportion
and measurement, they do not have the proper label. These bats are in
the marketplace for a variety of circumstances. After review by Little
League officials, it has been determined that these bats may remain in
the marketplace and shall be allowed for play during the 2009 season
only, with the understanding that these bats shall not be allowed for
play after December 31, 2009, even though some improperly labeled bats
may still remain in the marketplace, or retained by leagues and players
after the 2010 deadline. Also, check the model you are purchasing. If
these bats, like the Vanquish, are replaced with corrected labeling,
and have the BPF 1.15 label, they will be allowed after 2009.
Specifically, the bats in question are as follow:
Adidas Vanquish Blue design (There is a newer model
of this bat, also named the Vanquish and it has copper and black
markings. It contains the proper labeling and therefore is not subject
to the one-year rule).
DeMarini Black Coyote
Rogue
Distance
Rumble
Tengu
Easton LZ-810
Louisville Slugger YB31
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074
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Awarding of Bases
Batting Out of Order
Hit by Pitch on Hands
Illegal Pitch
Infield Fly
Key Rulebook Sections and Rules of Note