Marucci Black (33 and 34-inch models) now banned in the NCAA

The NCAA announced this week that it has decertified the 33 and 34-inch models of the 2012 Marucci Black Series BBCOR Baseball Bat.

The decertification is effective immediately, which means that those sizes of the Marucci Black (Model No. MCB11) will no longer be allowed in NCAA competition. The 31 and 32-inch models of the Marucci Black Series are still legal. The National Federation of State High School Associations has not released a decision yet, so at the moment, the bat is still legal in high school baseball.

The baseball bat was decertified as part of the NCAA’s process of continually field testing game-used bats in college baseball.

Bats that originally pass the BBCOR certification process and make it onto the field are routinely re-tested by the NCAA. If a certain number of game-used bats test outside the BBCOR specifications, the decertification process is triggered.

Word from Marucci is that they are working on options for customers who have purchased these bats.

Baseball Express can accept returns for unused bats within 30 days of purchase, but we ask that all other returns go directly through Marucci.

There are plenty more details to come, and we will post updates as they happen.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments.

You can view the original NCAA memo here.

Related: How does BBCOR work? Let us explain.

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Marucci’s 33-inch Cat 5 baseball bat has been banned by the NCAA and NFHS

UPDATED February 23 with more information.

The 33-inch model of the 2011 Marucci Cat 5 Adult Baseball Bat has been decertified by both the NCAA and NFHS, and it will not be legal this season in college or high school baseball.

The NCAA announced the decertification on Friday. The NFHS, the national governing body of high school sports, followed suit on Tuesday in an e-mail memo to state association athletic directors.

As a result, the 33-inch Marucci Cat 5 is considered a non-compliant bat in both leagues and leagues that follow NCAA or NFHS rules.

The decertification affects only the 33-inch model; all other Marucci bats, including the Marucci Black and other Cat 5 sizes are still legal.

The decertification is part of the NCAA’s ongoing process of field testing game-used bats. The 33-inch Marucci Cat 5 baseball bat was found to exceed the allowed exit speeds under the BBCOR performance standard.

Marucci has set up a process for customers to return their decertified baseball bats. You can find more information, including instructions on how to complete a return here. You can also contact Marucci at 1-888-768-8118.

Bats must be returned to Marucci by March 31, 2012 to receive a replacement.

Marucci has released a FAQ, which we’ve re-posted below. If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Will Marucci replace my 33×30 Cat52 BBCOR?
A: Yes. We stand behind our products and will replace your 33×30 Cat52 BBCOR with another Marucci bat.

Q: What are my options in replacing my bat?
A: You can find out more details on Marucci’s return program for the 33-inch CAT52 BBCOR bat at www.maruccisports.com/returns.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR BATS TO OUR STORES – THEY MUST BE RETURNED TO MARUCCI ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS FOUND AT www.maruccisports.com/returns.

Q: When can I expect to receive my replacement bat?
A: Marucci will process returns in the order that they are received and anticipates sending out the first replacement bats in March. For those opting to upgrade to the Marucci Black or choosing the Professional-Cut Wood bats, Marucci will begin fulfilling returns immediately.

Related: Browse our entire selection of Marucci baseball bats.

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