Little League baseball's bats and regulations reflect the age, physical development and experience of the millions of youngsters who play in its games. According to Little League International, it seeks a "safe and enjoyable experience" for its players and volunteers by meeting each year to review rules, regulations and potential changes "regarding safety and other points of note."
Specifications
According to Little League Rule 1.10, the bat must meet Little League specifications and standards. It must be "a smooth, rounded stick" made of wood or material "acceptable to league standards." In addition to wood, bats made of aluminum, alloys and composites are acceptable. Some differences in bat length, weight and barrel diameter exist among the divisions: Minor, ages 8-11; Major, 9-12; Junior, 13-14; Senior, 14-16; and Big League, 16-18.
Length
The maximum length of Little League Major division bats is 33 inches; for Junior, the maximum length is 34 inches; and for Senior and Big Leagues, the maximum is 36 inches. According to Sports Authority, a player should choose a bat according to his "skill level, height, weight and hitting strength."
Diameter
The maximum diameter of Little League Major division bats is 2-1/4 inches, and for all other divisions, the maximum diameter is 2-5/8 inches. At its smallest part, a wood bat cannot be less than 15/16-inches in diameter, or 7/8-inch for a bat that is shorter than 30 inches. According to Baseball-Bats, players should be able to "swing the bat without struggling. We've all seen the young players struggling to swing bats that are too big for them."
Bat Handles
Wood bats handles "may be taped or fitted with a sleeve" limited to 16 inches in the Major division and 18 inches in the Junior, Senior and Big League divisions. Players can't use slippery tape or similar material. A non-wood bat "must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material" extending a minimum of 10 inches from the small end of the bat.
Bat Rings
Because non-wood bats may become dented over time, a player cannot use a bat that cannot pass through the approved Little League bat ring. The ring is 2-1/4-inches in diameter in the Tee Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball divisions and 2-5/8 inches in the Junior, Senior and Big Leagues. Umpires on the Little League Umpire Registry get an official Little League bat ring. The traditional batting "donut" is not permissible.
Bat Ring Explanations
Any bat that has a flat spot is illegal. According to the league, "This may simply indicate the bat has become misshapen with use, and does not necessarily indicate it was purposely altered. Still, the bat must be removed." Any "contorted or mangled end-caps or knobs on non-wood bats" may suggest tampering with the inside of a bat, and that bat "must not be used."
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