Approved Bats

MYERSVILLE

JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE

2012 Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth Baseball Approved Bat List

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2012 Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth Baseball Memo Regarding Approved Bats

Following last fall’s moratorium on composite-barreled bats in its 13-15 and 16-18 divisions, the Babe Ruth League has now banned composite-barreled bats in all of its baseball divisions, including Cal Ripken.

In a prepared release, Babe Ruth President and CEO Steven M. Tellefsen said the league based its decision to ban composite-barreled bats on research from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The university’s research showed that, through normal usage and/or tampering, composite-barreled youth bats can fall outside of the league’s bat performance standards.

“While we are certainly aware of the timing of this announcement, Babe Ruth League must act in the best interest of the young people we serve,” Tellefsen said. “The decision is based on the fact that scientific research showed that composite-barreled bats may exceed the performance standard after being broken in.”

Like other composite bans announced in baseball leagues over the past few years, this ban only applies to bats with composite barrels. Bats with composite handles or tapers will be allowed, as long as the barrel is aluminum, an alloy or wood.

PLAYING LEVELS	APPROVED BAT RULE
Cal Ripken T-Ball	The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter. Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed. Bats must be labeled as "T-Ball" bat.
Cal Ripken Machine Pitch	The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter. Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed. Bats labeled as "T-Ball" bats cannot be used.
Cal Ripken Minors	The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter. Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed. Bats labeled as "T-Ball" bats cannot be used.
Cal Ripken Majors	The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter. Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed. Bats labeled as "T-Ball" bats cannot be used.
Babe Ruth 13 -15	The bat may not exceed 34” in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter. All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed. Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed. Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.
Babe Ruth 16-18	The bat may not exceed 34” in length and the bat barrel many not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter or be greater than a -3 length to weight ratio. Only metal/composite bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 are allowed. Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.

PENALTY

* If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his “at bat” the bat is simply removed from play and the “at bat” continues.

* A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play. The “at bat” will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.

* Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.