Now that you have a good idea on your ideal baseball bat size, material and specs, odds are you have found a specific model of bat that you’d like to use. That means it now comes down to one final thing.
Will you be allowed to use it?
Most organized leagues have bat performance standards. For this year only, high schools will allow both bats certified by the Ball-Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) and the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR).
College baseball associations like the NCAA and NAIA will only allow BBCOR bats.
So, if you’re playing in an organized league, especially if they follow high school or college rules, it’s very likely that you need a bat that’s certified by one of those standards.
Seems simple enough, but we’re not done yet. Recent decisions by some leagues have complicated things and caused some confusion.
Composite bat moratoriums
The National Federation of High Schools, which governs the playing rules of high school sports in the United States, passed a moratorium on some composite-barreled bats for the 2011 season.
Louisville’s 2011 Exogrid 2 Bat has an aluminum barrel,
so it will be legal this year
BESR bats with composite barrels will not be allowed this year, with a handful of exceptions. If bats can pass the BESR after a thorough break-in process, the NFHS will issue waivers to allow those bats this season.
There have been similar moratoriums passed in Little League, Babe Ruth and USSSA. For more information on those announcements, we encourage you to click on our BBCOR FAQ, NFHS Bat Ban and Little League Bat Ban tabs above. (We’ll also cover legal youth bats in tomorrow’s post.)
The NFHS moratorium will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2012. At that date, the NFHS will adopt BBCOR, and all composite BBCOR bats will be allowed.
That all said, it’s time to get to the point. For the next two years, it looks like this:
In 2011
High school — BESR (non-composite bats and these bats) + BBCOR
College — BBCORIn 2012
High school and college — Only BBCOR
Without further ado, here are the bats we carry that will be legal in high school and college:
BBCOR Baseball Bats
These bats will be legal in both college and high school baseball this season. These bats will be legal in 2012 and onward.
Nike’s 2012 Aero MC2 Bat will be legal in college play this year.
- Nike 2012 Aero MC2 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Features a metal barrel and a carbon handle. Zr91 metal barrel fused to a cross-react carbon handle creates unmatched feel and bat speed. ($299.99) - Nike 2012 Aero M1 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
One-piece full metal bat. Zr91 metal construction from barrel to handle creates full-speed explosions right out of the box. ($249.99) - Rawlings 2011 5150 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Barrel design utilizes proprietary metal forming techniques to optimize balance and trampoline effect. Aerospace grade alloy provides unparalleled durability in all playing conditions. ($199.99) - Marucci 2011 CAT5 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Patented Anti-Vibration knob decreases vibration and increases confidence. Balanced swing weight for improved MOI and greater swing speed through the hitting zone. ($199.99) - Louisville 2012 Omaha -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Superior feel, pop and balance remains the same. Features the same consistent Omaha bat performance that has been for 12 years. ($219.99) - Louisville 2011 Omaha -3 Adult Baseball Bat
This Omaha bat features the ST+20 alloy with a 31/32″ tapered handle and the patented Pro Cup end cap for great bat speed and performance. ($199.99) - DeMarini 2011 Voodoo -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The Voodoo Black -3 finely tunes the SC4 Alloy Barrel joined with DeMarini’s “Direct Connect Power Transfer Technology” to a new composite handle. The New Pitch Black Plus handle has twice as much Silver Trace for increased handle strength & performance. ($299.99) - DeMarini 2011 Vexxum -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The C6 Composite handle uses a wider composite weave to maximize handle performance. The N2M end cap is tuned to absorb bat vibration while maximizing power. ($199.99) - Easton 2011 Surge X-Stiff -3 Adult Baseball Bat
rovides optimized feel at impact while still maximizing energy transfer. New THT100 alloy for greater durability, strength, toughness and performance. ($299.99) - Easton 2011 Surge X-Stiff -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Provides optimized feel at impact while still maximizing energy transfer. New THT100 alloy for greater durability, strength, toughness and performance. ($299.99) - Easton 2011 Omen -3 Adult Baseball Bat
IMX composite barrel uses the best materials and design to lengthen sweet spot. Stiff handle flex provides maximum power through the hitting zone. ($399.99) - Easton 2011 Surge -3 Adult Baseball Bat
New THT100 alloy provides greater durability and performance. Lower M.O.I. for lighter swing weights and faster swing speed. ($299.99) - Easton 2011 Rival -3 Adult Baseball Bat
New THT100 alloy provides greater durability and performance. Lower M.O.I. for lighter swing weights and faster swing speed. ($199.99) - Easton 2011 Reflex -3 Adult Baseball Bat
7050 Aircraft alloy provides great durability and performance at a great price. ($99.99) - Worth 2011 Lithium Prodigy -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Features Lithium alloy, Worth’s strongest aerospace technology. Balanced feel for quicker bat speed through the hitting zone. Silencer grip for improved feel and control. ($199.99)
Aluminum or Alloy-Barreled BESR Baseball Bats
These bats will be legal in high school baseball in 2011 only. These bats will not be legal in California high school baseball (CIF) this year.
DeMarini’s 2011 M2M Bat will be legal in NFHS play in 2011 only
- Easton 2011 Surge BESR -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Lower M.O.I. for lighter swing weights and faster swing speed. Extended barrel for maximum performance. ($299.99) - Easton 2011 Rival XXL BESR -3 Adult Baseball Bat
New THT100 Alloy for greater durability, strength, toughness and performance. Ultra thin 31/32″ handle with stiff flex rating for maximum power through the hitting zone. ($199.99) - Easton 2011 Reflex -3 Adult Baseball Bat
7050 Aircraft Alloy. Thin 31/32″ tapered handle with Pro Tack grip. 2 5/8″ barrel. ($89.99) - DeMarini 2011 Voodoo Black -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The new 2011 Voodoo Black finely tunes the SC4® alloy barrel and joins with “DeMarini Direct Connect Power Transfer Technology” to a new composite handle. The Pitch Black® Plus handle has twice as much “Silver Trace” for increased handle strength and performance. ($299.99) - DeMarini 2011 Vendetta -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Power has been brought inside the handle with the Internal Rails system. This increases power in the hands and gives a better feel. ION endcap reduces vibration and redirects energy back to the ball. ($249.99) - DeMarini 2011 M2M -3 Adult Baseball Bat
SC4 alloy is strength tested to provide the ultimate in thickness, providing the player with the largest aluminum sweet spot. Metal 2 Metal construction creates the stiffest and most responsive barrel. ($249.99) - DeMarini 2011 Vexxum -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The new 2011 Vexxum is made with a SC4® alloy barrel and the C6® composite handle. SC4 alloy is strength tested to provide the ultimate in thickness, providing the player with the largest aluminum sweet spot. ($199.99) - DeMarini 2010 M2M -3 Adult Baseball Bat
End to End Power Aluminum bat. Strength tested high-grade alloy thickness tuned for the ultimate forming capabilities to provide the largest aluminum sweet spot. ($229.99) - Louisville 2010 TPX Air Exogrid -3 Adult Baseball Bat
One-piece hybrid and Air 2X Dual Air technologies provide the top players with the best combination of performance and solid feel. The Air 2X dual air chamber isolates the hitting area to enhance the sweet spot for better performance. ($249.99) - Louisville 2011 Exogrid 2 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
AC21 Scandium optimizes the relationship between aluminum alloys and composite materials giving the player the stiffest handle, and maximum performance and durability in a Hybrid bat. ($369.99) - Louisville 2011 H2 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
AC21 combined with composites ensures thin walls and unmatched performance. The combined strength of AC21 Scandium 3X Composite is more than 20% greater than the industry leading ST+20 alloy. ($299.99) - Louisville 2010 Omaha XT Stiff -3 Adult Baseball Bat
This bat is made with the same ST+20 alloy which has a combined strength + toughness that is 20% greater than industry leading alloys making it the most advanced alloy on the market. ($189.98) - Louisville 2010 Omaha Limited -3 Adult Baseball Bat
This new Louisville Slugger Omaha bat features the ST+20 alloy with a 31/32″ tapered handle and the patented Pro Cup end cap for great bat speed and performance.
($199.99) - Louisville 2010 TPX H2 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
H2 Hybrid design uses a full 3x composite handle and transition area allowing for an even stiffer handle than Exogrid. Graphite is lighter & stronger than aluminum, allowing for a stiffer handle and a longer barrel than Exogrid. ($189.98) - Mattingly 2010 Ripped -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The patented “V” shaped handle automatically lines up the knocking knuckles and keeps the bat in the finger tips, not in the palm, assuring a proper grip every time. ($159.99) - Marucci 2011 CAT5 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The CAT5 is balanced to produce more bat speed and more control of the bat head which translates into more solid contact and higher batting averages. ($229.98) - Miken 2010 Freak HT Stiff -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Hybrid Technologies combine premium high performance materials to perform the industry’s most advanced equipment. R900 Aerospace grade carbon fiber merged with tempered alloy ensures unyielding durability and superior performance. ($229.98) - Nike 2010 Aero Torque -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Precision barrel optimizes responsiveness. New Zr91 alloy creates more explosive hits. Cushioned synthetic leather grip. ($249.98) - Rawlings 2011 5150 Exogrid -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The Passive Hybrid Dampening (Ph.D) is the ultimate in vibration reduction technology. It will revolutionize the feel of stiff handle bats because it filters out harsh vibration more effectively than any previous technologies. ($149.98) - Rawlings 2010 5150 Alloy -3 Adult Baseball Bat
New 5150 Alloy formulated for higher strength and increased flex. Balanced design allows for maximum swing speed and maximum bat control. ($199.99) - Reebok 2010 Vector O-Tech -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Engineered into the handle section, the O ports can reduce drag when you swing. Carbon fiber handle and high-performance alloy barrel. ($199.98) - Worth 2011 Lithium Prodigy -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Lithium alloy is the thinnest alloy for maximum trampoline effect. Cener load end plug allows 5% more inertia to drive through ball. ($199.99)
Composite BESR Baseball Bats
These composite-barreled BESR bats have been re-certified, and they will be allowed in high school competition in 2011 only.
Combat’s 2011 B1 Bomber Stiff Baseball Bat has been approved for in 2011 only
- Combat 2011 B1 Bomber Stiff -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Durable with high performance. Balanced low swing weight. ($169.98) - Combat 2010 B2 Bomber -3 Adult Baseball Bat
VST Variable Stiffness Technology allows for a greater sweet spot and a greater performance. Soft feeling durable and high performance. ($379.99) - Combat 2010 B1 Bomber -3 Adult Baseball Bat
Balanced low swing weight, ultra soft feel, extra long barrel. Single wall construction. Soft feeling durable and high performance. ($299.99) - DeMarini 2011 CF4 ST -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The new 2011 CF4® ST has twice as much “Silver Trace” in the composite handle and barrel for increased strength and performance. This increase enlarges the sweet spot further down the barrel. ($399.99) - DeMarini 2011 Vendetta C6 -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The new 2011 Vendetta C6® composite barrel is joined by DeMarini’s Half and Half Direct Connect Power Transfer technology. Power has been brought inside the handle with the Internal Rails system. This increases power in the hands and gives a better feel. ($299.99) - Louisville 2010 TPX Triton Comp -3 Adult Baseball Bat
The Bubble Transition Zone area brings everything together to function as a more advanced one-piece bat. The BTZone optimizes the relationship between barrel & handle for a stiffer/stonger bat. ($289.98)
Peter: It is BBCOR certified, so it will be legal.
Christmas 2011 gifts…
2011 Bat Guide: Which bats are legal in high school? What about college? « Baseball Express…