NOTE – this article was updated on 2/17/10 to clarify the information
What do these popular bats have in common?
They are all currently illegal in NCAA play and will all be illegal in High School effective on January 1, 2012. NFHS, the governing body of High School Baseball is changing their bat rule to match the new NCAA rule. Yes, these bats are now illegal in NCAA play for the 2010 and will be illegal in High School starting in the 2012 season.
In fact – ALL NON-WOOD BATS currently in use in high school will be illegal on 1/1/12! Why?
The rule changed is NFHS 1.3.2 which requires (on 1/1/12) all non-wood bats to meet the Batted Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard. This is a much stricter standard than is the old standard of BESR. But, even more important, there are currently no bats that have the required BBCOR certification mark. NFHS rules require that the BESR mark (and in 2012 – the BBCOR mark) be silk-screened on the bat (NFHS 1.3.2). The rule says that “..no label sticker or decal will be accepted…” A silk-screened or other permanent label is required. This can only be done by the manufacturer. Therefore, all current bats will be illegal!
According to the NFHS, “the new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities”.
“After working with the NCAA and having access to its research, we’ve concluded it’s in our best interest to make this change,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we’re actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more appropriate for our age and skill level.”
The new BBCOR standard becomes the rule for NCAA in 2011 and in High School for 2012.
The NFHS rule also specifies that the bat should be a “smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob.” This may mean that most, if not all, two piece bats will be illegal. Many two piece bats have a barrel that “overlays” the handle, creating a small bump at that point. This will not be allowed as this rule is written.
There are two piece bats – composite handle and aluminum barrel, that will meet BBCOR and don’t have this bump. They are manufactured to look like one solid piece. We would expect the NFHS Rules Committee to clarify all of this prior to the 2012 season.
This part of the rule also reinforces that the knob of the bat must not be altered. Some players use tape to taper the end of their bat so it is, in effect, made smooth at the end. This has never been legal under NFHS Rules. NFHS 1.3.2 makes it clear that “..there shall be no devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the handle to become flush with the knob”.
In addition, as mentioned above, the NCAA has already banned bats with composite barrels. It is expected that composite barrel bats will not meet the new BBCOR standard and will not be legal in 2012. While composite handles are OK, composite barrels won’t make the cut.
This rule change is based on research done by the direction of the NCAA. This research found that composite barrel bats, over time, fell out of compliance with the BESR standard. BESR measures the ball exit speed.
Specifically, over time, the composite barrel bats were shown to have increased ball exit speed of 10 to 15 mph faster than what is allowed.
What’s interesting about this is that major college programs have complained for several years that composite bats were a DISADVANTAGE to their team, not an advantage! Check out this article about Ohio State blaming their woes on the Nike composite bats they were forced to use by their “All Sports Deal” with Nike:
OSU’s Bats Lack the Ping That Purdue’s Bring
Maybe they should have kept quiet and held on to their composite bats as the exit speed increased!?! Many other colleges with Nike deals have changed – not just because of the bats – but the baseball teams seem happy to be able to change bats.
The University of Michigan recently changed from a Nike to an Addidas school, but they aren’t using Addidas’ bats (yes – they make baseball bats, not just cricket bats). U of M is using TPX bats by Louisville Slugger, according to ex-Forest Hills Central star Derek Dennis, a shortstop at Michigan.
Among popular bats, the following are all made illegal by the NCAA ban on composite barrels:
- Easton Stealth Speed 75 Adult
- Easton Stealth Speed 95 Adult
- Easton Synergy Speed 90 Adult
- Easton Synergy IMX
- Combat B1 Adult
- Combat B2 Adult
- Nike Aero Fuse CX2 -3
- Nike CX2 White
- Louisville Slugger Dynasty Comp Adult
- Louisville Slugger Triton Adult
- Rawlings 5150 Comp Adult
- Miken Freak 100 Comp Flex Adult
- Miken Freak 100 Comp Stuff Adult
- Mattingly Beast Adult
- DeMarini CF4 Black Adult
- DeMarini Vendetta C6 Adult
- DeMarini CF3 White
Now, manufacturers may come up with composite barreled bats that meet the new BBCOR standard and the NCAA could lift it’s ban. However, the issue is that the bats change significantly (for the better if you are a hitter) over time. So, we don’t see the NCAA allowing these bats again. Since the NCAA has done the research, we would expect the NFHS to use it to ban the composite barrel bats, too.
July 9, 2010 Update: NFHS bans composite bats for 2011: “NFHS Bans Composite Barrel Bats”
This Sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im in 8th grade and gonna go into high school. Does this mean i cant use two piece bats in high school?!?
you should be able to get a voodoo i know there is one for bbcor
Technically – ALL CURRENT BATS will be illegal in 2012 because the new rule requires them to carry the BBCOR label – which NO bat carries currently (that I am aware of). Composite barrel bats are actually a different issue – and are currently banned in NCAA play. It is expected that composite barrel bats will NOT met the BBCOR standard when it takes effect in 2012.
Assuming composite barreled bats can’t pass BBCOR, two piece bats with composite barrels will be illegal. However, two piece bats are NOT the problem and will not be illegal. The barrel is the problem, not the fact that a bat is two pieces. Bats with a composite handle and an aluminum barrel will still be legal when this takes effect in 2012 – assuming the can get past the “smooth cylinder” issue.
Many popular bats have composite HANDLES and aluminum barrels. An example is the Demarini Voodoo Black. It will remain legal (assuming they get the BBCOR certification in 2012 and that the NFHS determines it meets the “smooth cylinder” requirement.
All of the above regarding composite barrels, two piece bats, etc assume that composite barreled bats won’t meet BBCOR standards and all other bats will. But, again, NO BATS carry the BBCOR label currently so they will be illegal in 2012. So, everyone will be buying new bats unless the NFHS addresses this in some way.
Here’s a link to some popular legal bats (and a link on that page shows illegal bats). This applies to the NCAA ban on composite barrel bats.
http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/tag/bat-ban/
So everybody has to buy new bats (again). Seems like NCAA and HS guys are all in bed with the mfrs to make us all keep replacing our bats!
Sometimes that seems true, doesn’t it? The study showing that composite barrels get more trampoline effect (get better for hitters) with more and more use, means that hitters would want to keep those forever. However, aluminum barrels with heavy use start to lose their “pop” over time according to studies I have seen in years past. They should be replaced more frequently, at least for the bigger/stronger players.
But, yes – it’s too bad that a bat bought today won’t be legal in two years. Hopefully, the NFHS will grandfather in the old bats or make some sort of allowance for this issue. The NCAA has specifically said they will NOT grandfather in the old bats.
This is frickin stupid. I am a freshman and just got a 2010 demarini voodoo and now i find out that i wont even be able to use it in two years. I’m angry. why doesn’t high school just keep the same and let ncaa do whatever they want??
I feel for you – but the NFHS won’t. Unless they allow the old bats to be grandfathered – that is: allow current bats to continue to be used, we will all be buying new bats with the new BBCOR certification mark (which is a rectangle).
talk to your dealer that you bought the bat from and see if they will let you replace it or give you a discount on a 2011 bbcor approved voodoo, its a sick bat, feels and acts the same, just a bbcor approved logo.
Stop the insanity-just use wood bats.
The need should be for bats to be 1) safe and 2) durable. When this happens, stick to one rule. Wood bats are ideal, but they break too easily and costs can really add up. I feel for these kids who have spent a fortune on something they won’t be able to use. Whatever we do, let’s not put masks on high school baseball players. That would go too far.
Oh no – please don’t put the mask idea in someone’s head over at NFHS!
Has anyone checked with NFHS? This article would be news to them as there is no such ban contemplated at the high school level. Some high schools might choose to follow NCAA rules (as Texas does for football) but, in most cases, NCAA has nothing to do with high schools. NFHS is not on board with a ban. Expect a call.
A ban of what? Composites? The article doesn’t say that NFHS will ban composites. It does say that ALL bats currently out there will be illegal in 2012.
They have to be because no bats out there, that I know of, carry the BBCOR certification mark. That mark is required in 2012 on all non-wood bats.
I realize that the NCAA has nothing to do with NFHS. However, a representative of NFHS says himself that they worked with the NCAA – used their data – on this issue.
NFHS is changing it’s rule to match the NCAA rule – meaning that they are requiring BBCOR certification.
The composite bat ban is just the NCAA and is temporary. Further, all current composites will always be banned in the NCAA – because in 2011, even if they lift the ban, they must still have the BBCOR certification (and again, no current bats do).
It’s a moot point, however, if new composites can’t meet BBCOR – they will be illegal in both NCAA (2011) and NFHS (2012).
So i have the 2008 demarini voodoo, and if i send it to the manufactor in around 2012 they will put the bbcor emblem on my bat.?
In theory, I guess they could. But, in reality, it won’t happen.
#1 – that bat (a 2008 model) won’t ever be tested under BBCOR. They don’t make that model any longer and I can’t imagine that they would test old model bats.
#2 – they want to sell new bats and a new rule allows them to do that.
#3 – if a manufacturer agreed (even if they could) to certifiy old model bats, I can’t imagine that they would every do so for USED bats – it would be a logistical nightmare and they don’t know what has been done to each individual bat that may have changed it (rolled, walls thinned, etc).
Should we expect the new BBCOR bats to be less expensive since they won’t produce as much pop? Generally speaking, bats with the most pop have the higher price tag, if they perform like wood bats, will they cost the same as wood bats? Currently you can buy 3-5 wood bats for the price of a top-line metal bat. Why wouldn’t we just buy wood bats?
Well, if history is the judge, I’d expect BBCOR bats to be more expensive. Why? Because everyone needs to buy new bats, so it’s an opportunity to charge top $$$.
While the ball will come off a BBCOR bat at about what it does off a wood bat, aluminum still has a bigger sweet spot and is better balanced than wood. Aluminum, therefore, will still have that advantage. Not breaking is an issue too, of course. But, a wood composite won’t break very easily and lasts longer. But, then the cost is getting close to a aluminum bat.
One big problem when it comes to $$$: it’s always a good idea (if you want to save money) to buy a bat a year or two after it comes out. The cost may be 1/2 as much as when it first comes out. Now, ALL the bats will be in their first year (2012) so nothing will be cheaper.
Do not think that moving to wood bats is 100% safe. A lot of people in my hometown saw a wood bat break in a men’s fastpitch softball game and kill the on deck player as the splinter end hit him in the jugular. Freak accident for sure, but wood is not 100% safe. I’m sure there are doubters, but you can see about a benefit for his family here:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19710628&id=A2IfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jdQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5622,3215961
That’s a freak accident for sure, but awful just the same. Frankly, I’m surprised more players aren’t hurt by wood bats.
The address doesn’t seem to work – could you post or email that to me and I’ll make sure it links to the story? Thanks!
It’s all good for you highschool kids. It’s just matchin the NCAA rules. Just don’t go out and buy anymore new bats or buy anything composite for that matter. And FYI for the kid who posted about his Voodoo. Stick with that bat. Best on the market that’s legal in my opinion. At least I swing it and it did me wonders, but it is just a bat.
It seems we try differ our self from men and kids most hsk kids don’t go to college and play baseball and there body maturity is different from 15yr to 18 and 21yr to 18yr old so injuries are that much a big part of the change. Again show us statics for bat to injury to another playerin highschool bb big difference between the two college is higher then kids in high school. And when did we let the ncaa over see highschool sport in the us. And why. Is it that there a billion doller buisness and all high school arund the nation are thousand dollar buisness who benifits more in the change.. remember they are KIDS. Let’s keep the sport they play in high school for the kid they are and kid inside of them whith a kids body and kids thoughts. So do a better ck besides the ncaa
Thanks for your comment!
The NFHS is taking this action to make their bats less dangerous – they are taking the lead (and using the research) of the NCAA.
HS kids are still kids, true. However, that would make them using the same bats as the NCAA a good thing, as they will naturally hit the ball less hard as a college player – yet they are using the same bat.
But answer the questions… why do we use ncaa guidelines. And show us statistics on injurys .. caused by the bats.. give us reason. Followed by proof… we do live in america innocents until proven guilty. Facts is what we want too see and who will gain profit wise manufacturesor or ncaa. More colleges have contract with ncaa 70% do. Do u think high school are that high. Not ..the ncaa is telling u this because evauluating a kid for reason to attend there school using so called illegal bat compaired to a kid using legal bat in college. Are diif stats the kid in highschool bats .510 and they want gets to college and stats drop to .194 cause of the bat and caint make it. And the school has waisted schollarship money and time . High school baseball isn’t a farm club that’s we have wooden bats tourn
And other tournaments that evauluate our kid and college scouts are there and pro scouts also they use these tourn to evauluate kids and we use wooden bats now do we use them because of the ncaa no. Pro scouts want to see if he can do it with a wooden bat this is nation wide and northen baseball is shorter year around then southern states souther has two seasons but high school should be what it is for kids and rules shoudnt be changed by company’s who profit from it or the ncaa because they are still going to profit from it one way or another.it should be voted on and not by anyone who’s never played the game and let’s face it. Its still hard to 3inch to 3and half inch stick to hit a ball. 2and a half inches big [not sure of size] coming at highschool 65 to85 mph and hit it most pros caint do it and u want to change it for kids. Come on grown ups I love the game don’t change it. Show us stats.
So….you are saying that NFHS should allow more powerful bats? Or are you saying that NFHS should have more restrictive standards?
I am all for the bat standards being the same – if for no other reason that simplicity of buying bats that last a few years instead of needing to buy new ones when moving up to college.
They use NCAA standards because the NCAA pays the UMASS-Lowell Baseball Bat Reserach Center to test them – and they’d get the same results no matter who was paying.
As for kids hitting .510 in HS and .194 in college: are you saying they do this because of the bats?
NFHS and NCAA have been using the same bats for years – since NFHS went to -3 then to full BESR certification.
I think it’s more a case of pitching being better and not everyone can handle it.
Finally – wood bats and pro ball. Yes, scouts want to see kids hit with wood. The BBCOR standard will help somewhat – since the exit speed of those bats is near equal to wood bats. however, aluminum always will have a bigger sweet spot than wood – meaning a crappy swing can result in a better hit ball with an aluminum bat than with a wood bat.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading!
Yes restrict highschool seperate the two from highschool and ncaa make the ncaado a better job in scouting a kid I guess u don’t see above what’s really going to happen next thing u will change is distant from pitcher to catcher because ncaa thinks its better. As for the kid .510 because of the bat. Yes thatsthe advantage a kid has to help him in highschool but then how many men in pro fail because of wooden bat change but these are men.. ur changing rules for kids and comparing things kids to young adults show us injurys stats differ we need to change something because of injurys let’s try to keep it out of other peoples hand. That just see other motive yes college shoud change because there young men and adults playing as for highschool let’s still be kids most hsk mechanis swing and there batting stand is horrible and its not like there in best shape.. but collegeu get in shape u fix everything and now u ready maybe.. change the rule because of accidents or injury. Not cause of someone wants it. U forget they. Are kids
As a high school baseball coach I see the game I love being changed time and time again that never seems to help. I’m all for wood bats because I played with wood bats and I just feel they’re better. The wood bats they make these days actually have technology put into them to make them more durable.
As for player masks and helmets, that idea has already been established at NFHS. I received a memorandum that speaks to high schools being “allowed” to wear player masks and helmets effective 2011 and a push for them being required in 2012 along with wood bats.
In my opinion, as as a kid being forced to wear a player helmet and mask, this will add more injury than help. Masks impair vision. What if it rains? What if it’s cold and the mask fogs up? What if a player “sells out” for a ground ball or line drive and hits the ground and the mask gets caught. They was a kid I played ball with in little league who slid into a base, his mask got caught, and the sheer torque broke his neck.
Why ruin a sport that has existed for 200-300 years over one incident? Wood bats fine…player helmets and masks…too far! We have to make a stand on this gents. It seems like this makes sense, but hasn’t been thought completely through.
Well said Mat! Changes that are thought to make something safer, so often have adverse effects.
The face mask (and helmet in fact) in football has led to more extremely serious injuries (broken neck, damaged spine) while preventing more minor injuries (broken noses, etc).
The rarity of serious injuries in baseball must make people stop and really get the information before making changes. Yes, a very few kids get seriously hurt by a batted ball in baseball – and if it’s YOUR kid, it doesn’t matter how many others have the issue – but changing every rule trying to eliminate every risk is crazy.
The added cost to the 100′s of thousands of players that aren’t injured each year and the potential greater risk brought on by the solution, just doesn’t make much sense in many cases.
Thanks for your comment!
Freshman baseball is going to be boring. Pitchers are going to love the new rule change. Expect a lot of bunting, stealing, a lot of small ball. I could see teams pulling in a fifth infielder. Bring some thing to read if you play in the outfield. Actually anyone who can throw the ball over the plate will get pulled up to JV or Varsity. It will be like watching soccer. Another one to nothing game, over in an hour.
I totally agree with you Doug. I feel like hs baseball is going to be very boring in the future. 2012 is my senior year and I am really not looking foward to the new rule. I do use a wood bat all winter and I play in some wood bat tournaments but the hits are way fewer and obviously the deep balls are cut way down. Homers tend to be my “job” on both my highschool and travel team. I dont know how this rule is going to let me do my “job”
Wow, this is so stupid just lets us all use a ComBat B2 Da Bomb it will be good or a 2011 Cf4
So if i currently have the newest model of the Demarini Voodoo and I’m in high school, is this bat legal or not?
I don’t know which bat you have for sure, but this article will point you in the right direction. It has the currently approved list from the NFHS for 2011.
http://westmichiganhighschoolbaseball.com/2010/12/03/nfhs-announces-approved-bat-lists-for-2011/
Just bought me a 2011 Vexxum…on the list of bats that are not illegal for 2012 i didn’t see demarini vexxum…will i be able to use this bat?…This sucks ..1st i’m told i’m gonna die in 2012 and now you take away my bats?!
I have 2 bats for sale, at a great price and you can still use them this season back in Michigan. Our thoughtful folks in California decided to change the rule for THIS year, so bats that were just purchased are no longer legal. I have a Easton that is 3 months old. 33/30, write me at b2spirit1 at yahoo dot com
2011 demarini vexxum…can i use it
The 2011 Demarini Vexxum is model# DXVNB. That is approved for 2011 by NFHS. If you confirm that your bat is this model, you will be fine.
However, if you are in California – I can’t say for certain.
They are ahead of the NFHS rules and may require a BBCOR label on the bat.
Follow this link which has links to the approved bats:
http://westmichiganhighschoolbaseball.com/2010/12/03/nfhs-announces-approved-bat-lists-for-2011/
Wait okay so i know i can use my bat on 2011 ( I live in Arizona) but what about 2012?
The 2011 Demarini Vexxum model DXVNB is not currently on the NFHS approved list for 2012.
so is this a recall and will we be offered a refund from Demarini and all the other manufactures? or do they just get away with this I say this should be a recall.They made something illegal for us to spend alot of money on something you cant use.
No, there is no recall that I know of.
The rules were changed by NFHS and NCAA. The manufacturers need change bats to meet the new rules.
You could try contacting Demarini, but I wouldn’t hold out much hope.
Does anyone take into account that the use of performace enhancing drugs may increase drastically due to the lack of power coming from the bats now. Studies show that the amount of these drugs taken by high students is on the rise, if they take the power away from the equipment, then kids are only going to look to other types of gear (steroids) to supplement the loss from the original equipment!!!
I bought a 2011 DeMarini Voodoo Black DXVDB for my HS sophmore son for Christmas. The information at the time of purchase this legal beyond 2011. After looking at this website and checking my sons bat there is no BBCOR label on it. I am told is taking the same bat and putting a BBCOR label on it. Did I get hosed by purchaseing this bat a couple of months early?