Softball Bat Regulations

In order to ensure the safety of its players and the fairness of its championship games, the Amateur Softball Association of American has composed a set of regulations for the equipment used in its games. Bats are just one of the pieces of equipment regulated by the ASA.

  1. Background

    • Each year, the ASA publishes a list of bats that meet its standards. These bats are known as ASA-certified bats, and some bear the ASA insignia on the bat itself or its packaging.

    Testing Facilities

    • The ASA approves certain locations as testing facilities where scientific testing is completed to determine whether or not a specific model meets the ASA's standards. In order for a testing facility to be approved by the ASA, it first must be accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation and then be inspected by the ASA. Only bats tested in ASA-approved facilities can become certified bats.

    Batted Ball Speed

    • ASA bats are approved based on Batted Ball Speed or BBS, which is the measure of the speed a softball reaches after being hit by the bat. The maximum BBS that a certified bat can produce is 98 miles per hour.

    Enforcement

    • If a bat is not approved by the ASA or if later models of the bat fail to pass its standards, the bat is not allowed in championship game play. Officials at ASA championship games are given a list of approved bats to compare to players' bats , and they have the authority to forbid the use of a particular bat for any game.

    Bat Doctoring

    • The ASA has a strict policy against bat doctoring. If a player doctors a bat through any method, they can be barred from playing in ASA games. In addition, the ASA has also successfully sued sporting goods stores for monetary damages for doctoring ASA certified bats for their customers.