Rule 1.10 – Baseball

The bat must be a baseball bat which meets the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick, and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat).

Beginning with the 2018 season, non-wood and laminated bats used in the Little League (Majors) and below, Intermediate (50-70) Division, Junior League divisions, and Challenger division shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USABat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard. All BPF – 1.15 bats will be prohibited beginning with the 2018 season. Additionally, starting in 2018, the bat diameter shall not exceed 2⅝ inches for these divisions of play. Bats meeting the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard may also be used in the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League divisions. Additional information is available at  Little League International Batting Information.

Tee Ball:

Under the USABat standard, certified Tee Ball bats (26″ and shorter) will feature the USA Baseball mark and text which reads ONLY FOR USE WITH APPROVED TEE BALLS. All Tee Ball bats must feature the USA Baseball mark and accompanying text. Tee Ball bats that were produced and/or purchased prior to the implementation of the new standard can be certified using an Approved Tee Ball Sticker via the USA Baseball Tee Ball Sticker Program (USABaseballShop.com) beginning September 1, 2017.

NOTE: Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Minor Divisions only with the use of approved Tee Balls.

Minor / Major Baseball Division:

It shall not be more than 33 inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed sixteen (16) inches from the small end.

NOTE 1: Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo.

NOTE 2: Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Minor Divisions only with the use of approved Tee Balls.

Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League:

It shall not be more than 34″ inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the small end.

NOTE 1: Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo.

NOTE 2: Also, permitted for the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League Division are bats meeting the BBCOR performance standard, and so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color. Aluminum/alloy and composite bats shall be marked as to their material makeup being aluminum/alloy or composite. This marking shall be silkscreen or other permanent certification mark, a minimum of one-half-inch on each side, and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.

Rule 1.10 – Softball

The bat must be a softball bat which meets Little League specifications and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or a material tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards. The bat shall be no more than 33 inches (34 inches for Junior/Senior League) in length, not more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenth (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30 inches) at its smallest part. Non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20. Bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding 16 inches from the small end. Colored bats are acceptable. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited.

NOTES:

Historically, bats that had a 1.15 b.p.f. stamp were considered legal for nearly every level of youth baseball. B.P.F. stands for bat performance factor. Essentially the b.p.f. is a limit of the velocity in which a ball can exit off of the bat. Bats with a 1.15 b.p.f. will no longer be legal in little league play, or most other youth baseball organizations. This decision has been years in the making. U.S.A. baseball is leading the charge on this in the name of safety.

The new stamp that will be REQUIRED for a bat to be considered legal will be the U.S.A. baseball stamp. the new b.p.f., if you are interested will be .53. these bats have not been available to the public until Sept 1,2017. This means that if your bat was purchased before that date, it will not be considered legal for the upcoming season. Bat inspections will be carried out at games to insure a level playing field and it should be noted that wood bats are another viable option. Wood bats will not require the U.S.A. stamp. Composite and One piece aluminum bats with a .53 b.p.f. or U.S.A. stamp are being engineered to act more like wood. It is also important to know that big barrel bats are now legal in minors baseball.

Keystone will be providing legal bats to each team for use. We are aware that a lot of people buy their own. If you have questions regarding purchasing a bat please let us know and we will do our best to help. We would also suggest checking with a local retailer such as "Play It Again Sports". We have spoken with the owner multiple times about this matter. "Play It Again Sports" has a good selection in stock and starting in December will have a hitting cage to try them out before you buy. Play it again sports also gives 10% back to Keystone Little League if you tell them that you are with our little league.

Updated 1/1/21 according to Little League International Rules