bat Primer

Courtesy of the EMASS Senior Softball League 

Softball bats…are complicated. They are high tech items that are getting higher tech all the time as bat makers try to use multiple materials in multiple ways to increase the hitting ability of the players while still meeting industry standards.

They are also expensive; new decent bats will generally cost in the $200-$400 range and once you use take them out of the wrapper and use them once, they are not returnable.

In terms of telling which bats are “good”, it is really up to each individual. Our best hitters in the league all use different makes and models and different sizes/weights. All of the bats on line say they make the hitters better and are “hot” right out of the package.

Many places on the web and major sporting goods outlets such as Dick’s sell approved bats. If you do decide to buy new, don’t buy from any website that uses terms like “shaved” “rolled” or “heated”. Bats that are manipulated like or in any way will far exceed our league standards.

Bottom line it is cheating and dangerous to other players.

For new players, you may think, well you have an old metal bat that you used in another league and I’ll just use that one. However, it is more than likely will be considered an 'altered' bat and disallowed on our league.

Players bats must conform to the standards set forth in the Codgers’ bat policy document. In general they must have ASA, SSUSA or USSSA stamps in all Codgers’ divisions 

  • Wear and Tear. The bat will be free of burs, cracks, dents, sharp edges and audible rattles.
  • Safety Knob. Shall have a diameter of at least 1.6 inches with no sharp edges and be permanently attached to the bat.
  • Safety Grip. The grip may be made of cork, tape, or other synthetic material and cover the handle. 

One of the elements of being an ASA/USA softball league is we use bats that meet ASA/USA softball standards.

ASA/USA Softball tests softball bats and then certifies they are appropriate for use in their leagues, allowing bat makers to put a certification mark on the bat - essentially giving it their seal of approval.

Bats meeting ASA standards have a lower BPF (Bat Performance Factor) than other senior softball bats, making them less potent and thus generally safer to use for recreational players. Some bats have multiple certification marks, but as long as it has the ASA/USA softball certification mark it is considered an approved for use.

Certified Senior Bats (SSUSA bats which are 121 BP or lower) are approved for use in all divisions


Codgers Statement on Bats

Bats allowed are the following:

  • Bats stamped with the Senior Softball USA stamp are allowed. These are Bats that have a 1.21 bat performance factor
  • Bats stamped with NSA, USSSA and ASA are allowed. These are Bats with a Bat Performance Factor of 1.20. These are fine Bats but have less "pop."
  • Older Bats before they break can become illegal (out of range compression standards). Also, players sometimes have their bats shaved for more pop. Both can be extremely dangerous. That is why tournaments sometimes test players Bats.
  • Rolled Bats are not legal. Rolled bats (or bats that have been through "break in service") are bats where they use rollers to break up the composite fibers in the bat around the whole bat making the bat "broken in" but rolling can accelerate taking a bat our of compression compliance.