Clarification of Non-Wooden Bats from Little League
The following clarification and update was sent out by Little League Baseball today regarding non-wood bats. Essentially, it says if your bat does not have a BPF factor on it, or if the BPF is greater than 1.15, it can’t be used. This should make a lot of parents happy. I believe it will also eliminate the “combat” bats that were so hot during this year’s tournaments. This is for baseball only.
Oct. 16, 2008
We have received a number of inquiries regarding last week’s announcement regarding non-wood bats.
Here are some additional details.
Statement Regarding Bats in Junior League Baseball
Beginning with the 2009 season, baseball bats with a diameter of 2-5/8 (two-and-five-eighths) inches are now the standard for all teenage baseball divisions (Junior, Senior and Big League).
Baseball bats with a diameter of 2-3/4 (two-and-three-fourths) inches are no longer permitted for use in the Junior League Division of Baseball. Previously, these bats could be used in Juniors, but not in Senior or Big League.
Background
A committee at USA Baseball is in the process of developing a standard for bats used in the Junior League Division. Currently, there is no standard in place as there is for bats in Little League Baseball (Majors) and below, and for bats used in Senior League and Big League.
(USA Baseball is the governing body for amateur baseball in the U.S. Little League Baseball is a member of USA Baseball.)
This step taken by Little League, and to be taken by other youth baseball organizations in the coming year or two, is a first step in that process and a way to prepare for the new standard. Eventually, for the Junior League age group, only bats with a diameter of 2-5/8 (two-and-five-eighths) inches will be manufactured to meet the new standard when it is ready for implementation.
(Note: The standard for bats in the Little League Baseball [Majors] Division and below is the Bat Performance Factor [BPF]. This is a measure of a non-wood bat’s performance relative to wooden bats.)
In the Senior and Big League Divisions, the standard is the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR), with its “minus-3″ requirement. The overall weight (in ounces) of a bat can be no more than three ounces below the overall length (in inches) of the bat. This mandate remains in effect in Senior and Big League Baseball divisions, but is not a requirement in Junior Baseball.
Additional Information for Little League Baseball (Majors) and Below
In effect for the 2009 season is the requirement that all non-wood bats used in Little League Baseball (Majors) Divisions and below shall be printed with a BPF of 1.15 or less.
This stipulation has been included in the Official Rules and Regulations for the past few years, leading up to 2009, so that leagues, parents, and bat manufacturers could prepare for it.
Most non-wood bats manufactured over the past several years for the age groups involved in Little League Baseball (Majors) and below have been permanently imprinted with the BPF. In fact, very few bats sold today with a diameter of 2-1/4 (two and one-quarter) inches are not printed with the BPF rating.
So, starting with the 2009 season, bats printed with a BPF higher than 1.15, or without a BPF printed (or not legible) on the bat, are not permitted in these divisions.
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The Great Bat Debate Continues
Received this letter from Little League International today about bats in the Junior, Senior and Big League Divisions:
October 9, 2008
Dear District Administrative Staffs and Local Little League Baseball Officials:
Beginning with the 2009 Little League Baseball season, baseball bats with a diameter of 2 ¾ inches are no longer permitted for use in the Junior League Division of Baseball.
Baseball bats with a 2 5/8-inch diameter are now the standard for all teenage baseball divisions (Junior, Senior and Big League).
The "minus-3" requirement – overall weight (in ounces) of a bat can be no more than three ounces below the overall length (in inches) of the bat – remains in effect in Senior and Big League Baseball divisions, but is NOT a requirement in Junior Baseball.
Also, in effect for the 2009 season is the requirement that all non-wood bats used in Little League Baseball Divisions and below shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less.
Sincerely,
Little League International
The biggest part of this to me is the fact that the bats must now have the BPF printed on the bat. No BPF, no can use.
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2008 Little League Tournament Schedule
Image by capn madd matt via FlickrI found this schedule on the Little League Baseball website and thought I would share it w/ you. I recommend printing it out and following every game! Baseball does not get better than this:
2008 Little League International Tournament Events on TV
(All times listed are U.S. Eastern Time. Consult your local listings.)
August 2
• Big League Baseball World Series Championship Game, 2 p.m., ESPN
August 6
• Little League Baseball New England Region Tournament, New Hampshire vs. Rhode Island, 11 a.m., NESN/MSG
• Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament, Maryland vs. New Jersey, 2 p.m., NESN/MSG
• Little League Baseball New England Region Tournament, Connecticut vs. Massachusetts 5 p.m., NESN/MSG
• Little League Baseball Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament, New York vs. Pennsylvania, 8 p.m., MSG
August 7
• Little League Baseball Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament, Teams TBD, 4 p.m., NESN/MSG
• Little League Baseball New England Region Tournament, Teams TBD, 7 p.m., NESN/MSG
• Little League Baseball Southwest Region Championship Game, 9 p.m., ESPN2
August 8
• Little League Baseball New England Region Tournament, Teams TBD, 3 p.m., NESN
• Little League Baseball Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament, Teams TBD, 6 p.m., MSG
• Little League Baseball Southeast Region Championship Game, 8 p.m., ESPN
August 9
• Little League Baseball Midwest Region Championship Game, Noon, ESPN
• Little League Baseball New England Region Championship Game, 2 p.m., ESPN
• Senior League Softball World Series Championship Game, 4 p.m., ESPN2
• Little League Baseball Great Lakes Region Championship Game, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Little League Baseball Northwest Region Championship Game, 9 p.m., ESPN
August 10
• Little League Baseball West Region Championship Game: 10 p.m., ESPN2
August 11
• Little League Baseball Mid-Atlantic Region Championship Game, 8 p.m., ESPN2
August 12
• Little League Softball World Series Semifinal Game, 7: 30 p.m., ESPN2
• Little League Softball World Series Semifinal Game, 9:30 p.m., ESPN2
August 13
• Little League Softball World Series Championship Game, 7 p.m., ESPN2
August 15
• Little League Baseball World Series, Midwest vs. Southeast, 2 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Canada vs. Latin America, 4 p.m., Lamade ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, New England vs. West, 6 p.m., ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Mid-Atlantic vs. Great Lakes, 8 p.m., ESPN HD
August. 16
• Little League Baseball World Series, Caribbean vs. Mexico, 11 a.m., ESPN HD
• Big League Softball World Series Championship Game, 1 p.m., ESPNU (see Aug 25 for replay)
• Little League Baseball World Series, Europe vs. Asia-Pacific, 1 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Midwest vs. New England, 3 p.m., ABC HD
• Senior League Baseball World Series Championship Game, 3 p.m., ESPNU (see Aug. 27 for replay)
• Junior League Baseball World Series Championship Game, 5 p.m., ESPNU (see Aug 26 for replay)
• Little League Baseball World Series, Japan vs. Middle East and Africa, 6 p.m., ESPN HD
• Junior League Softball World Series Championship Game, 7 p.m., ESPNU (see Aug. 28 for replay)
• Little League Baseball World Series, Southwest vs. Northwest, 8 p.m., ESPN HD
August 17
• Little League Baseball World Series, Europe vs. Mexico, Noon, ESPN Classic (see Aug. 18 for replay)
• Little League Baseball World Series, Canada vs. Japan, 1 p.m., ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Great Lakes vs. Southwest, 3:30 p.m., ABC HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Latin America vs. Middle East and Africa, 6 p.m., ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Southeast vs. West, 8 p.m., ESPN2 HD
August 18
• Little League Baseball World Series, Europe vs. Mexico, 2 a.m., ESPN2 (replay of Aug. 17 game)
• Little League Baseball World Series, Northwest vs. Mid-Atlantic, Noon, ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Asia-Pacific vs. Mexico, 1 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Midwest vs. West, 3 p.m., ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Caribbean vs. Europe, 4 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Southeast vs. New England, 6 p.m., ESPN2 HD
August 19
• Little League Baseball World Series, Latin America vs. Japan, Noon, ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Northwest vs. Great Lakes, 2 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Canada vs. Middle East and Africa, 4 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Caribbean vs. Asia-Pacific, 6 p.m., ESPN2 HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, Southwest vs. Mid-Atlantic, 8 p.m. ESPN2 HD
August 20
• Little League Baseball World Series, International Semifinal, 4 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, U.S. Semifinal, 8 p.m., ESPN HD
August 21
• Little League Baseball World Series, International Semifinal, 4 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, U.S. Semifinal, 8 p.m., ESPN HD
August 23
• Little League Baseball World Series, International Championship, 12:30 p.m., ABC HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, United States Championship, 3:30 p.m., ABC HD
August 24
• Little League Baseball World Series, Consolation Game, Noon, ESPN HD
• Little League Webgems Show, 2 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series Preview Show, 2:30 p.m., ESPN HD
• Little League Baseball World Series, World Series Championship, 3:30 p.m., ABC HD
August 25
• Big League Softball World Series Championship Game, 2 p m., ESPN2 (replay of Aug. 16 game)
August 26
• Junior League Baseball World Series Championship Game, 2 p.m., ESPN2 (replay of Aug. 16 game)
August 27
• Senior League Baseball World Series Championship Game, 2 p.m., ESPN2 (replay of Aug. 16 game)
August 28
• Junior League Softball World Series Championship Game, 2 p.m., ESPN2 (replay of Aug. 16 game)
What is your best Little League tournament memory?
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Little League Bulletin MAJOR All Star Rules Changes
Image via WikipediaBREAKING NEWS!
April 24, 2008
Little League Baseball sent out an emergency rules change bulletin today that will have a major impact on the tournament teams.
From the Bulletin :
Participation in Other Programs
The rule that prohibits players from participating in non-Little League programs (dual participation), once Little League tournament play has begun, has been rescinded at all levels of play for baseball and softball. However, the local Little League retains the right to dismiss a player from a tournament team if the player repeatedly misses games and practices.
Big League
The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 17 (increased from 15).
Senior League
The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 16 (increased from 14).
Wilson, W.P. (2008, April 23). Tournament Bulletin. Little League International.
I have mixed emotions on this. I understand the reasoning, we are losing to many good players to travel ball. But, are we simply giving in to the competition? In the long run I think there is nothing more exciting than the Little League tournament, so the better product should win out. This will give more kids the opportunity to compete in the tournament and make the teams better. So I guess this is a good thing. I just wish they had done it last year!
The Big League and Senior League roster expansion is a good thing.
What do you think? Should players be allowed to compete in other programs and Little League’s tournament? It wasn’t long ago a coach couldn’t even coach in a different program and coach an All-Star team. The times they are a changin’! I just wonder is it for the best? What say you?
Update from Little League 4/25/08
To clarify an e-mail distributed earlier this week regarding modifications to the 2008 Tournament Rules and Guidelines, the increases to the maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit apply to Big League and Senior League baseball only .
Big League Baseball - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 17 (increased from 15).
Senior League Baseball - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 16 (increased from 14).
Little League International apologizes for the confusion.
Clarification to Rules and Guidelines for 2008 Little League International Tournament . (2008, April 25). Little League International .
Now this one I don’t understand at all. WHY?????? This makes absolutely no sense! According to the original memo the reason for the roster expansion was because they had jobs and other commitments. So according to Little League, girls do not have jobs or other commitments? This is very sexist and discriminatory on their part!
In our league we have an understanding that whatever rules we make for baseball, we also make them for softball. Why would Little League International do any different?
Little League, It’s the year 2008! Get w/ the times! You made a great ruling and then botched it’s application. Fix it!
What do you think? Should rules be different for girls and boys?
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