LL hopes to post a list of approved 2 1/4" composites by Jan 1, 2011

[wesparker]

This information came from another thread on this site, but deserves a thread title of its own.

"Update on Little League International Regarding Composite Bats"
South Williamsport, Pa.
October 18, 2010.

At present, the moratorium on composite bats does not apply to the Little League Baseball (Majors) Division and below, nor does it apply to any division of softball.

Little League International is contracting with the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) to begin research testing composite bats 2 ¼ barreled bats that are approved for play in Little League Baseball (Majors) Division and below using the Bat Performance Factor (BPF) protocol, as well as the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) procedure. That agreement was reached today, and testing will begin very soon.

“We wanted to get this information out as soon as possible,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “Our intent is to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats, and which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any, as soon as possible. We hope to have the results to you by January 1, 2011.”

http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2010/Sep-Dec/CompositeBatsUpdate.htm

[LLdad]

“We wanted to get this information out as soon as possible,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “Our intent is to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats, and which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any, as soon as possible. We hope to have the results to you by January 1, 2011.”

I think the "if any" disclaimer is the telling part of this. I think everyone knows what the results will be.

My friendly advice to any and all who are considering Christmas bats for Little League kids...buy gift certificates, buy alloy, or just hold off. The comps are going away.

Crossing my fingers that I'm wrong. What a waste of money for some of us.

[Vendettta person]

Bump to get ahead of all the spam

[Hookem74]

Glad mine is in H.S. so it doesn't effect me:D

As for L.L. some of the gossip I was told by a friend (rep).........ABI re-testing procedure requires them to roll the bat repeatedly until it breaks, anything that last beyond two testing rolls is considered illegal.
The interesting part is rolling soft barrel bats is the worst thing you could ever do to them, the durability decreases ten fold.
Demarini & Combat are the only ones who make soft barrel bats:D
what does it mean? The testing procedure is not a fair assumption to measure all composite bats.

Which is where is maybe the BPF protocol comes in.
Can't say how this is even any better considering the test was created for softball bats! Entirely different type & weight of the bat and density of ball.
Studies have shown the BPF testing is not exactly accurate and the numbers can be skewed in any way to produce a legal/illegal result. Bottom line is the people complaining not only want to ban comps but if they get their way, alloys will be next!

Safety concerns are the biggest factor for this, the facts don't lie! In Little League there has only been 8 recorded deaths from batted-ball incidents since the 1960s!
6 of those were wood:eek:
The other 2 were alloys durin the 70s!
http://www.donaldcollins.org/administrators_school_officials/CIF%20North%20Coast%20Section%20Metal%20Bat%20Info rmation%202010%20research.pdf

Could this possibly increase from continued use of Composites? Yes, anything is possible but I honestly believe the coaching & preparation of today's player is better than years past before. Along with safety gear that is now designed and available for baseball player's.
I'm all for taking extra measures but I honestly feel the biggest one is still being missed............the batted ball!!!!!!
We need softer cores!


** Rumors I've been hearing, expect a complete phase out of all older year models (comps & alloys) possibly by 2012-13. All teams will be required to wear safety gear for pitchers & infielders like facemask and heart guards,padded type uniforms,etc
Completely eliminating all light drops (-12 & 13) per League director's discretion.

[LLdad]

Interesting info. Thanks for the post.

[wesparker]

Plain and simple this is a liability issue for LL, not a safety issue.
LL has a bat test.
LL is very exposed legally if they knowingly allow bats that exceed the test.
LL won't "ban" composites. Similar to the new bat rules for high school, LL will just require composites to pass the test for the life of the bat--for obvious legal reasons.

[D_wats]

It won't happen for obvious reasons, but it should be 50/70 at least, for 11/12/13 yr olds. 46' is just to stinken close.

But dealing with balls/bats/face masks/guards is a lot cheaper then asking all their affiliates to rebuild fields.

[LLdad]

It won't happen for obvious reasons, but it should be 50/70 at least, for 11/12/13 yr olds. 46' is just to stinken close.

But dealing with balls/bats/face masks/guards is a lot cheaper then asking all their affiliates to rebuild fields.

I hope it's not coming to that...going to 50/70...but that may be the logical direction. I'd honestly rather see that than major restrictions on the equipment.

Our LL district is a pretty weak one and has very few 12 year olds who are a serious danger as batters. I'm referring to the guys who can hit it 250 feet or more. There are a few every year though, and it is truly scary to watch my guys pitch to them.

There are also a couple of pitchers who really don't need to be throwing at average 10-12 year olds from 46 feet.