Glastonbury Little League has been closely monitoring the National LL announcements on the banning of composite bats. The original January announcement was the banning of totally composite bats and those bats having composite barrels. Those with composite handles were deemed approved. Since that time, National LL has wavered. Some composite bats and the list of waivered bats changes on what seems to be on a daily basis, thus making the implementation of the ban very difficult. Some local Little Leagues has opted to ban all total composite bats as well as bats with composite barrels to be on the safe side until Williamsport solidifies its position on these bats. Glastonbury LL is adapting this ban locally in the name of safety.
Thus, for the 2012 spring baseball season, totally composite bats (barrel and handle) and composite barrel bats are banned. Umpires and Coaches are alerted to this ban are directed in its implementation at the Majors level and lower. The Juniors and Seniors levels have some approved composite bats.
All approved Little League bats have a 1.15 Bat Performance Factor restriction. This means those bats have a bat/ball striking response no greater than 1.15 times that of a good wooden bat. The composite bats, though initially testing at 1.15 BPF, increase in that response level over time and use. The size of a Little League field has not changed since its founding in 1939. The size and strength of players has changed dramatically since then and most recently when the cutoff date was moved from July 31 to April 30. This factor coupled with the modern day development of bat material technology give pause to consider the potential safety hazard for our players.
The National LL has recently instituted a new factor in bat restrictions called Accelerated Break In(ABI) as justification to waiving some composite bats off its banned listings. GLL will continue to monitor this development and will be making adjustments if warranted in future seasons. Safety will prevail in these considerations.
Please click on this LINK for recent Little League ruling regarding composite bats.
Please click on this LINK for recent Hartford Courant article regarding composite bats.
