I hope everyone is enjoying the start of the 2012 Gopher State Baseball League. I am emailing all 9u-13u coaches to clarify the 2012 bat standards.
It sounds like there is still some confusion as to what bats are legal for league and tournament play in 2012. I will add additional language below to the standards in hopes that all participants in the Gopher State Baseball League are on the same page for the remainder of the regular season, playoffs and tournament play. I want to make sure that you note the additional language for Small Barrel bats under the OLD USSSA MARK.
9-14 year old teams:
Big Barrel Bats (larger than 2¼ inches in diameter) - only the following big barrel bats made by approved USSSA licensed manufacturers will be allowed in USSSA play:
1) Bats made with the NEW USSSA mark (see image below)
2) Qualified BBCOR bats
3) Wooden bats
Small Barrel Bats (2¼ inches in diameter) - only the following small barrel bats made by approved USSSA licensed manufacturers will be allowed in USSSA play:
1) Bats made with the NEW USSSA mark (see image below)
2) Bats made with the old USSSA mark (Legal in 2012 and 2013). These bats MUST state “USSSA 1.15 BPF” somewhere on the barrel. Bats that only have the wording 1.15 BPF (does not include “USSSA”) on the bat are not legal. This is an insurance/liability issue.
3) Wooden bats
It is imperative that both coaches and the designated umpire for your game verify bats as part of your pre-game conference. This allows both teams as well as the umpire to be on the same page prior to the start of the game. Please do not bypass this part of the pre-game conference that is included in the 2012 Rules Manual.
VERIFYING BATS
Each coach must present all bats that will be used by their team in front of their respective dugout. The umpire and both coaches will verify that each bat has all required graphics, including USSSA and BPF markings as part of the pre-game conference. The umpire will also verify that each bat is legal with the required graphics as the player steps into the batter’s box prior to the start of their at-bat.
PENALTY FOR USING ILLEGAL BAT
First Offense:
If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to USSSA Rule 7.01E until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out and/or ejection from the game. if the umpire discovers that a bat has been used to put the ball in play and before the next legal pitch, the defensive team will have the choice of the result of play or the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied before the pitch.
Second Offense:
If a team is found in violation of this rule a second time, then the manager will be ejected in addition to the First Offense penalty (Rule 7.01E of USSSA By-Laws and Rules).
Please email one of the MYAS Baseball Staff for any additional questions.
