How to tell if my bat is approved in 2018? New rules for youth baseball bats

Here is a list of of organizations that will enforce the new rule, as well as how to tell if your Louisville Slugger or DeMarini bat are in compliance with the new youth baseball bat rule.

The following information was provided courtesy of Louisville Slugger:

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As I am sure you know, there is a new USA Baseball bat rule which went into effect January 1. The new rule will result in millions of parents needing to buy their youth baseball players a new bat for the coming season. Many parents aren’t aware of the change and the need to buy their young player a bat that obeys to the new rules. The new USA Baseball bats are made to make aluminum and composite youth bats perform more like wood bats.

Children 14 years old or younger who play youth baseball in most of youth baseball’s largest organizations will be required to swing bats with the USABat Stamp to show the bat is approved for play. Those organizations are:

What is the new rule?

The max barrel diameter is 2 5/8” (or less) for all players 14 and under.  This makes the metal bats perform more like wood bats.  Your player may be disappointed at a decreased exit speed (up to 10% less), which could mean fewer home runs.

However, the end result should be positive.  Not only will it make the game safer, but it will make for an easier transition to more advanced levels of play.   That’s because the new USA baseball bat standard, with its wood-like performance in youth bats, brings youth bats more in-line with high school and college bats which are designed to perform more-like wood since the BBCOR standard was implemented in 2011. Bats approved by USA Baseball have barrels up to 2 5/8″.

Here is a link to the USA Baseball site with more information on the USA bat standard: https://usabat.com/about/

That USA site also has a full list of approved models, just in case you are still doubt.

Will my baseball league enforce the new youth baseball bat rule?

The following are the organizations and leagues that will be enforcing the bat standard in 2018:

  • AABC
  • Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball
  • Dixie Youth Baseball/ Dixie Boys Baseball
  • Little League Baseball
  • PONY Baseball
  • National Amateur Baseball Federation
  • Dizzy Dean Baseball
  • Perfect Game

How to tell if my bat is approved by USA baseball new rule?

– Louisville Slugger –
All Louisville Slugger bats approved by USA Baseball will feature green knob medallions
All bats approved by USA Baseball will feature the USA Baseball stamp
All Louisville Slugger bats approved by USA Baseball will have green stickers on the packaging

– DeMarini –
All DeMarini bats approved by USA Baseball will have green stickers on the packaging
All bats approved by USA Baseball will feature the USA Baseball stamp

How to tell if my bat is approved in 2018? New rules for youth baseball bats

Where can I buy an approved baseball bat?

Online stores like this one are making it easy to browse approved bats by putting them all in one place.  All the bats on this page are approved and safe for use in 2018.

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