ASA Regulation Softball Bat Specifications

The Amateur Softball Association adopts regulations for equipment, including bats, to ensure that the competition is fair and safe for all those involved in the sport. Founded in 1933, the ASA has been the national governing body of softball in the U.S. since 1978. Each year, the ASA's equipment testing and specifications committee reviews the organization's regulations.

  1. Certification Process

    • In order for a bat to be certified by the ASA, it must meet certain requirements. The manufacturer must contact the ASA and submit samples of the bat it wishes to have tested. Once the manufacturer has signed a testing agreement, it sents bat samples to an ASA-approved testing facility. The lab tests the samples in accordance with ASA performance standards. The model must comply with ASA standards in order to be certified. The ASA frequently conducts random tests on certified bats to ensure that the manufacturer has not altered the models without notifying the ASA.

    Performance Standard

    • The ASA Bat Performance Standard is based on batted ball speed, or BBS, rather than bat performance factor, or BPF. BBS refers to the speed of the ball as seen by the fielder. The 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, which replaced the outdated 2000 regulations, mandates that the BBS may not exceed 98 mph. Bats are not excluded from competition based upon the material they are made from, but the ASA has the right to withdraw approval for equipment if it feels a product puts participants' safety at risk. The ASA may also outlaw bats that have more impact on a player's performance than the skill of a participant.

    Certification Mark

    • The ASA has issued two certification marks. For bats that were made after 2000, an approved bat must feature the ASA 2000 certification logo. Bats made in 2004 or later are required to bear the 2004 certification mark in order to be used in championship play. Models that were made before 2000 may be used at the discretion of the umpire, if he believes they satisfy the current rules. Bats with the 2000 mark must fulfill the 2004 standards in order to be used during championship play. Bats made entirely of wood do not need require certification.

    List of Bats

    • The official ASA website provides a list of certified bats and a list of those that are not permitted. It updates the list on a regular basis, as test results for new models become available.