British Baseball Federation Bat Report 2021

2021

BRITISHBASEBALL FEDERATION

BATREPORT www.britishbaseball.org

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

| Bat Report 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRACTICESOCIALDISTANCING STAYSAFEANDFOLLOWTHE GOVERNMENTGUIDELINES

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TOPIC

PAGE(S)

Cover page

1

Table of contents

2

1. Background

3

2. Different types of bats for BBF divisions

3

3. The importance of using the proper bat

4

4. MLB rules applicable to Seniors

4

5. Factors when choosing a bat

5

6. Guidance on choosing the right bat

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7. Wood compositions

7

8. Taking care of your bats

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9. Bat stamps

7,8

10. Youth Bats

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11. Women Bats

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12. About the BBF

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Appendix I (approved bats - seniors for 2021)

12

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

| Bat Report 2021

1. BACKGROUND The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the National Governing Body of baseball. As the NGB, one of its aims is to set the rules for participation in our sport. This report is for our members who participate in our events to understand baseball bats guidance. The following bat guidance comes from MLB, CEB Europe, WBSC, Little League and Pony Baseball. We require participants in our sport to operate and consider safety standards that apply for our sport's safe play. To assist our members, we have described several elements and provided a list of bats acceptable to be used in the 2021 baseball season.

"MEMBERCLUBSWHICH COMMUNICATETHERULESTOITS PARTICIPANTSTAKESHEALTHAND SAFETYSERIOUSLY."

We wish to understand how our bat guidance and rules effect play in our sport. Mainly whether any bat rule changes would promote our sport's play and keep safety as a priority. We welcome your feedback e-mail us at: info@britishbaseball.org

2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF BATS FOR BBF DIVISIONS Bats come in different sizes, designs, compounds, colours and weights. Bats vary in use for leagues. For 2021, the BBF has three leagues: -

-

-

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Sen ior s: Seniors divisions (NBL, AAA, AA, and A) play in an all-wood league. The bat rules for Seniors adhere to MLB and CEB Europe standards and guidance. There are no metal bats allowed in the Seniors divisions.

You t h : Youth play in the BBF, which includes Little League permits the use of metal bats which adhere to USA Baseball Bat standards. For example, source Little League: "USA Bat Standard bats must be used in the Little League Major Baseball Division and below. Either USA Bat Standard bats or BBCOR bats must be used at the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and Junior League Baseball Divisions. At the Senior League Baseball Division, all bats must be meet the BBCOR standard.

Little League-approved baseball bats that were approved for use for the 2017 season will no longer be acceptable for use in any Little League game or activity as of January 1, 2018. For more information on the USA Bat standard and a complete list of bats approved through the USA Bat Standard."

Wom en : Women taking part in the BBF Women's League are allowed to use metal bats that adhere to the BBCOR or WBSC standards. However, women can make use of wooden bats as well.

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BATS

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3. IM PORTANCE OF USING THE PROPER TYPE OF BAT The BBF is committed to promoting best practices when participating in our sport. The results of adhering to our rules, policies, standards and guidelines will help mitigate risk, improve compliance and increase the safety of everyone involved in our sport. Bats are made up of different materials with the potential to enhance performance, but also have potential safety issues. It is the responsibility of every club and team to ensure our rules are followed at all times. If not, the player and club may be susceptible to penalties if there is a breach of our rules. It is essential that our members manage their participants' risks, to protect everyone involved in our sport. Club administrators should not lay the responsibility on players, rather they should be pro-active in providing training, communication and information, so they use the proper bats. By following the rules, we can expect a day of playing our sport without injury.

4. M LB BAT RULES APPLICABLE TO SENIORS 3.02 Th e Bat (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood. (b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to 11?4 inches in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added.

Rule 3.02(c) Comment:If pine tar extends past the 18-inch limitation, then the umpire, on his own initiative or if alerted by the opposing team, shall order the batter to use a different bat. The batter may use the bat later in the game only if the excess substance is removed. If no objections are raised prior to a bat?s use, then a violation of Rule 3.02 (c) on that play does not nullify any action or play on the field and no protests of such play shall be allowed.

(c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end,maybe covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance that extends past the 18- inch limitation shall cause the bat to be removed from the game.

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NOTE:If theumpire discoversthat thebat doesnot conformtothe rulesuntil atimeduring or after whichthebat has beenusedinplay,it shall not begroundsfor declaringthebatter out, or ejectedfromthegame.

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

"DURINGASWING,WHENABATAND BALLCOLLIDEITACCOUNTSFORTWO DIMENSIONALFORCES.THEFORCES BETWEENTHEBATANDBALLON CONTACTVARIESPERPLAYER.THE TOTALMOMENTUMAFTERCONTACT DETERMINESHOWFARTHEBALLWILL TRAVEL. CHOOSINGTHERIGHTBAT ENHANCESVELOCITYONYOURSWING BUTALSOTHEMOMENTUMOFHOWFAR YOUHITTHEBALL." m1v1b +m2v2b =m1v1a+m2v2a

TIP BATWEIGHTISMEASUREDINOUNCES (OZ). ABATDROPFORMULAIS: BATLENGTH(INCHES) (-) MINUS BATWEIGHT(OZ.) BATDROP EXAMPLE 33BATLENGTH(INCHES) (-) MINUS 23 BATWEIGHT(OZ.) -10BATDROP

5. FACTORS WHEN CHOOSING A BAT 5.1 Leagu e r u les: Before sourcing a bat, carefully read your league rules about an acceptable bat. Further if you are going to compete in international tournaments, you should review their bat rules which may be different than the BBF. 5.2 Bu dget : Bats prices range from a little to a lot of money. You should carefully consider your budget, including shipping and any other fees before you decide to source a bat. Wooden bats are more susceptible to breaking, so assume you may need more than one per season. Metal bats last longer. Whether you like the bat you invest, will not matter if it does not comply with league rules.

5.3 You r ph ysical com posit ion : Your body frame and strength are important factors in choosing a bat. For example, the length of your arms and your strength all determine the bat your choose. Any bat you choose should conform to your physical composition and not how the bat looks or whether it is suitable from someone who is advising you. You will be using the bat, so ensure you are comfortable as to how the bat feels when you hold it and swing. A bat is a investment , so choose wisely and do some research beforehand.

5.4 Len gt h : The length of the bat is determined whether you are an adult or youth? What is your height and weight? That is, consider weight and height are interrelated when choosing a bat. The longest a bat length can be is 42 inches (MLB rule). Bat length is measured from the knob of the end cap to the top of the bat. Bats which are longer require more power to swing because of the mass towards the end of the bat.

5.5 Weigh t : The lighter the bat usually means the greater bat speed in your swing-- the heavier the bat, the greater the batting power on contact.

Weight differential (or dr op) means the difference between the length of the bat (in inches) and the weight of the bat (in ounces), e.g.a minus number and the higher the weight dr op, the lighter the bat (if the length is t h e same). A bat that weighs 20 ounces and is 30 inches long w ill have a dr op of -10. The greater the dr op weight, the lighter the bat .

-

Seniors: Adult bats are limited to drop -3 (wood or metal).

Youth: Youth bats can be a range from drop -12 to -3.

The lighter the bat usually means the greater bat speed in your swing.

The heavier the bat, the greater the bat power on contact.

NOTE:THELOWERTHEDROPTHE HEAVIERTHEBAT.COMMONDROPS: -12,-10,-9,-8,AND-3

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| Bat Report 2021

5.6 Per son al pr ef er en ce: Once you decide on the above five points, you can consider, wood type (if its a wood bat), colour, bat handle and manufacturer. As important, how the bat feels when you swing it. The bat should feel comfortable and right in your hands, and when you swing it.

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BATS

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When choosing a bat items to consider:

LEAGUERULES

BUDGET

YOURPHYSICAL COMPOSITION

BATLENGTH

BATWEIGHT

PERSONAL PREFERENCE

6. GUIDANCE ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT BAT 6.1 Ch oosin g t h e len gt h of t h e bat : Using the mid-point of your body, extend your arms apart.

The bat that is best for you should extend from the mid-point to your fingers' tips (see image).

6.2 Ch oosin g t h e bat 's w eigh t : Hold the bat from the end of the handle and extend it out. If you can hold the bat extended out for 3-5 seconds without stress, the bat's weight is appropriate for your strength.

6.3 Ch oosin g t h e com posit ion of t h e bat : Bats are made of wood or metal compositions.

Consider what type of wood to choose. If it is a metal bat, consider whether to choose a one-piece or a composition. An alloy bat usually provides more bat speed during your swing. A two piece alloy bat offers more bat speed (whip). A two-piece composite bat offers a more significant sweet spot and balanced, and light feel.

6.2 Ch oosin g t h e su it able st am p on t h e bat : Bats vary in standards. The stamp on a bat determines the standards of the bat. Ensure you have the appropriate stamp: otherwise, the bat may not be acceptable in the applicable BBF league or event.

Wh at is a f u n go bat ? A bat which is used for training purposes only. It is a thin bat to maximize bat speed to hit baseballs to players with less effort easily. Coaches primarily use them. A fungo is strictly prohibited from being used in a game.

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

| Bat Report 2021

7. Wood com posit ion s: Wood bats are made of different types of wood. For example, -

-

TIP -

WHATISTHESWEETSPOTOFABAT? THESWEETSPOTOFABATIS LOCATEDDIFFERENTLYONA VARIETYOFBATS.PRIMARILYTHE SWEETSPOTREGION,IS APPROXIMATELY5-7INCHESFROM THEENDOFTHEBARREL. USUALLYTHESWEETSPOTOFTHE BATMEANSWHEREONABATWHEN THEBATMAKESCONTACTWITHTHE BALL,ITISTHELOCATIONWHICH GENERATESLEASTVIBRATIONIN THEBATTERSHAND,MAXIMUMBALL SPEED,ANDMAXIMUMENERGY.

-

Ash : Ash wood is the densest wood; however, it provides a softer feel, but greater bat velocity, flex and whip. Ash bats are used for greater control and single spray hitters. Northern ash wood is the most popular type of ash wood bat.

M aple: Maple wood is the densest and robust. However, it flexes the less on impact and less of a sweet spot. If you want greater power maple seems to be the wood of choice for power hitters. Widely used.

Bam boo/ com posit e: Bamboo bats are not made of bamboo rather by pressing bamboo strips. Bamboo bats are primarily used for novelty or practice. MLB prohibits wooden bamboo bats and most leagues, considering they are not wood rather compressed grass. Benefits of a bamboo bat is that it lasts longer, heavier bat and denser, so greater the pop on the ball on contact.

Bir ch : Birch wood bats are usually more durable than ash bats. Considered a mix of hardness and flex when making contact and getting the best pop on the baseball.

8. Tak in g car e of you r bat s: Wooden bats are susceptible to break.

Thus it would be best if you took care not to use them unnecessarily.

Please do not use them in the practice of batting cages when real baseball is being used. Hard rubber baseballs with dimples are harder and cause more significant stress on bats on contact (which equals a greater probability of breaking the bat). Baseball bats have labels in the middle. The label of the bat should be pointing towards you. Do not store your wooden bats in a real cold or hot temperatures, as the moisture can impact the bat's durability and composition.

Rotate (1/4") the metal bat periodically in your at bats e.g., after every five at bats, so you do not make contact on the same spot. The above saves the bat from constant contact stress in one area and prolongs the sustainability of the bat.

9. BAT STAM PS 9.1 BBCOR cer t if icat ion : BBCOR is the standard which calculates the trampoline effect of the bat on contact with the baseball. For example, wooden bats do not have a lot of trampoline effect, while metal bats would. The BBCOR standard requires manufacturers to ensure that metal bats with the BBCOR stamp adhere to the same trampoline effect as wooden bats; Otherwise, the batter of non-BBCOR bats would have an unfair advantage. Moreover, for health and safety, the pop on the ball is more significant, making the ball's velocity hit greater, which can cause injury to the fielders.

BBCOR bats are drop 3 (-3) only and usually have a 2 5/8" barrel.

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BATS

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9.2 USSSA (1.15 BPF): Bat Performance Factor is the measurement of the baseball velocity coming off the bat on contact. For example, it is like 20% faster rebound on bat contact with the ball than throwing a baseball against the wall thrown at similar velocities. IMPORTANT: The Bat Performance Factor (BPF) will no longer be in effect. Starting in 2018, all Little League BaseballÂŽ divisions, excluding Senior League baseball, will operate using the USA Bat standard.

9.3 USA Baseball St am ps cer t if icat ion : As of the 1st January 2018, Little League Baseball implemented a new bat standard for all players in their events. The aim of the above is so bats used in Little League perform similar to wooden bats. USA Baseball bats can range with barrels of 2 1/4", 2 1/2", and 2 5/8". Maximum barrels of 2 3/4" are prohibited in most certified competitions. However, 2 3/4" are used for development leagues or younger ages.

Length

Knob

Grip

Taper

Label

Barrel

End

USA stamp. Do not tamper or remove this or any other stamp on a bat. That is, if the required stamp is removed an umpire has the right to make the bat ineligible.

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

| Bat Report 2021

10. You t h Bat s: Youths competing in the BBF and Little League events, should adhere to Little League bat rules.

Guide: Division

St am p

Tee Ball (7U) USA Bat st an dar d

Not e

=<26" or sh or t er 26" or er

M in or (11U) / M ajor (12U)

USA Bat st an dar d; Solid on e-piece w ood bar r el bat s do n ot r equ ir e a USA Baseball Logo.

=< 33 " in len gt h an d =< 2 5/ 8" in diam et er .

If w ood, n ot less t h an 15/ 16 " in diam et er (7/ 8" f or bat s less t h an 30" ).

In t er m ediat e [50/ 70] (13U) an d Ju n ior Division (14U)

USA bat or BBCOR st an dar d. Wood bat s do n ot h ave t o car r y t h e USA st am p.

=< 34" in len gt h . =< 2 5/ 8" in diam et er .

If w ood, =< 15/ 16" in diam et er (7/ 8 " f or bat s < 30" at t h e sm allest par t .

Sen ior (16U)

BBCOR st am p

=< 36" in len gt h . =< 2 5/ 8" in diam et er

if w ood, n ot less t h an f if t een -sixt een t h s (15/ 16) in ch es in diam et er (7/ 8 in ch f or bat s less t h an 30?) at it s sm allest par t .

On ly dr op -3 bat s.

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Dim en sion s

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

The bats approved using the USA Bat Standard will be made in 2 1/4-, 2 1/2-, and 2 5/8- inch dimensions.

For a complete view of Little League baseball bat rules click here.

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BATS

11. BBF Wom en's Baseball Leagu e Bat in f or m at ion (WBSC Wom en r u les): The use of non-wooden (metal) bats is authorised, as long as they comply with the following: -

-

The entire bat must be round with a constant radius at any point, and the finish of the hitting area must be smooth.

There must be a direct line from the centre of the knob to the centre of the large end. The knob and end plug (if applicable) must be firmly attached.

The maximum length is 36 inches (91.4 cm), and the maximum diameter is 2 3/4 inches (6.99cm). A bat may not weigh, numerically, more than five units less (drop -5) than the length of the bat (e.g. a 35-inch-long (88.9 cm) bat cannot be less than 30 ounces (850.5 grams) in weight).

All bats must have an identification mark 18 inches (45.7 cm) from the handle's end. Use of wooden bats is also authorised, as long as they are included in the current year official approved list published by the WBSC Baseball Division.Use of wooden bats is also authorized, as long as they are included in the current year official approved list published by the WBSC Baseball Division.

BAT BREACHES TO THE RULES -

Corking a wooden bat.

Tampering with stamps on metals bats.

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BRITISH BASEBALL FEDERATION

| Bat Report 2021

APPENDIX I The British Baseball Federation i(BBF) is a member of CEB-Europe and the WBSC. The BBF adheres to the mentioned rules. CEB Europe announced its new list of wooden bats approved for competition. The BBF adheres to the above list (on the next page) for its competitions and leagues (exclusive of youth and Women's baseball). If you have any questions please email info@britishbaseball.org

ABOUT THE BBF

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the National Governing Body (NGB) of baseball and non-profit. As the NGB of our sport, we govern and administer baseball on a national basis e.g., (but not limited to): -

Control and regulate the marketplace of our sport; Manage the Great Britain Baseball National Teams (GB Baseball) - six teams; Promote our sport; Manage the rules of baseball e.g., anti-doping, playing rules and more; Oversee the officials of our sport, and Organise and host competitions.

Check out the BBF 2020 Year in Review click here.

M ission To advance and promote baseball opportunities, so participants in our sport can enjoy and expand their reach through our Federation.

By t h e n u m ber s The largest concentration of youth and adult baseball players who are actively involved in baseball and under one organisation play in the BBF. For example, 2020 registered and verified numbers (no double counting): -

33 Registered Clubs.

96 Registered teams (48 adult and 48 youth).

1,185 Registered players (768 adult and 417 youth).

Note: The above excludes coaches, officials, managers, volunteers, scorekeepers and National Team players who still belong to the BBF. Members in the BBF adhere to national and internationally recognised rules, standards, policies and Anti-Doping policies.

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Confederation of European Baseball APPENDIX I to BBF Bat Report 2021. The bats listed below are approved by CEB Europe. As a member to CEB Europe and the WBSC the BBF and its members should adhere to the same approved baseball bat list for the upcoming season. If you have any questions please email info@britishbaseball.org

OFFICIAL APPROVED WOODEN BAT LIST th

Valid from December 18 , 2020

These are the one-piece wooden bats which have been approved by CEB

01.

02.

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Akadema Asics (Rawlings) Axe Pro Axis B45 Birdman Bats Brett Bros. (incl. Boa) BWP Caribbean Sluggers Carolina Controlling the Game D-Bat Dash Bats DC-Bats Detrolam Descente Diablo Bats Dinger Bats Drill Bats* E7 Baseball Bats Easton Fonza Bats Franklin Glomar Hakusoh Bats

* new added bats

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HiGold Holtz Bats Hoosier Iron Wood Journeyman kR3 Bats Kai Bat Kubota Slugger Lacasse Bats Louisville Slugger Marucci Mash Bat Mattingly Sports Max Bat Mela Birch Bats Mine Bats Mizuno Moon Bats Nicolas Rouch Nike Old Hickory Phoenix Prairie Sticks Rawlings RockBats

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Route 66 Klubs Sabrecat Sam Bat SSK STR Striker Superior Bat Sure Play (SP) Swedish Birch Bats Taku Teammate Bats Tuff (X Bat) TymBats Valma Bats Xanas Yaya Bats Zett Zinger World Baseball Bats