Little League Rules on Bats

Little League Rules on Bats
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As Little League Baseball is actually comprised of several different divisions based on player age, there are different rules on bats for each level to accommodate physical differences. Generally, the smaller the player, the smaller the bat must be in both length and diameter. Specific guidelines apply depending on the exact division a player belongs to.

Major Division and Below

Under Little League rules, bat dimensions are the same for players age 12 and younger, spanning the Major, 9-10-Year-Old, Minor, and Tee Ball divisions. The bat is not allowed to be more than 33 inches long, and must also be less than 2 1/4 inches in diameter. The bat must be made of smooth wood or other material approved by the Little League, such as aluminum. Non-wood bats are required to have a bat performance factor --- how the ball jumps off the bat, as compared to how it would bounce off a solid wall --- of 1.15 or less.

Junior League

This division, for 13- and 14-year-olds, plays on regulation-sized diamonds (as opposed to smaller ones in lower divisions), and bats are allowed to have the same 2 5/8 inch diameter approved for Major League Baseball. If the bat is made of wood, the diameter of its smallest part may not be less than 15/16 inch, or 7/8 inch for bats shorter than 30 inches. No bat may exceed 34 inches in length.

Senior/Big League

This age group extends from 14 to 18 years old, where the diamond and pitching distances are same as in Major League Baseball. As in the Junior League, the bat is allowed to have the full diameter of 2 5/8 inches, and has the same minimum diameter requirements at its thinnest part. Non-wood bats must bear a mark certifying that they don't exceed the maximum ball exit speed ratio (BESR). There is also a minimum weight restriction in the Senior and Big leagues, calculated by subtracting the weight in ounces by the length in inches. If this figure is more than three ounces, the bat is not allowed. For example, a 36-inch bat cannot weigh less than 33 ounces.

References

Article reviewed by Will McCahill Last updated on: Jun 30, 2010

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