Originally dated November 19. Pat Quinn will update everyone at the baseball meeting on January 17.
There continues to be a lot of Questions about what bats are legal next season, Rule changes, Timelines, Age groups affected etc. Here are listed links to many different organizations websites on 2011/2010 rule changes on Bats.
Everything you wanted to know about the new Bat Rule changes
o Baseball America has produced an excellent special edition Bat Guide magazine for Retailers/Customers to help understand what is going on with all the new Bat rules and changes. Below is a link that should answer all your questions on BBCOR, BESR, testing, timelines, new rules and regulations that are in place for 2011/2012.
http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BatGuide/
What High School bats should I purchase (BBCOR or BESR)?
o The new BBCOR rule goes into effect 1/1/2012 for High School players. Beginning January, 2011, high school players can still use approved BESR bats. BESR Bats are much hotter than BBCOR bats. High school players and coaches will want the hottest bats offered that are legal for play as long as possible. Early reports from the field on BBCOR bats is that the bats are dramatically less lively. Major colleges across the country have been able to demo products and the feedback is that the bats are similar to wood bats. These changes will affect the game with less Home runs.
What about used BESR Bats?
o Should I continue to buy Used bats? Keep in mind that all BESR bats will NOT be grandfathered in for game play so purchase used BESR bats accordingly as these will become Batting cage or practice bats starting 1/1/12 for High School players. This is a NCAA and NFHS rule change not the Vendors or Retailers.
Please see the updated attached “Legal BESR/ABI Bats for play” list provided by the NFHS below for the 2010/2011 season.
http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=4155
Easton Fall Launch Updates
Easton does not currently have any approved BESR bats or BBCOR bats out on the market. They have their new line of bats being delivered to retailers now that meet the new BESR and BBCOR standards.
Easton is experiencing shipping delays on SR & HS fall launch bats. Here is a current shipping schedule as of today.
o Easton Omen, Surge, Rival SR (Big Barrel) & High School & College BBCOR Bats –current report from Easton is mid December.
o Easton Omen Comp (-3) High School and College BBCOR bat will ship in January.
o Surge & Rival SR (Big Barrel) & High School (BESR) bats will start shipping next week. These are not approved for college play in 2011 or for high school play in 2012.
