2018 Bat Rule Changes

2018 USA Baseball Bat Rules

In conjunction with USA Baseball and its other participating national member organizations, PONY Baseball has adopted the new USA Baseball bat standard (USABat). Effective January 1, 2018, with the exception of -3 (BBCOR certified), all other minus factor bats (-5, -7, -9, etc.), must be USABat certified with the USABat licensing stamp on the bat in order to be used for league and tournament play. Minus factor bats -5, -7, -9, etc. used in 2017 will be illegal to use in 2018.

Details:

New Bat Rules for 2018

Effective January 1st, 2018 (now), only USA Baseball certified bats are allowed in PONY baseball (see some exceptions below).
USA Baseball certified bats were just released for the first time in October of 2017, so ALL bats from last season have been banned from use. You must purchase a new bat for 2018.
If your player is playing in Pinto or higher, the bat cannot read "Tee Ball". It must be a USA Baseball certified baseball bat - not a tee ball bat.
If your player is playing in Pinto B (Shetland), our 6 year old division, you can use a tee ball bat. Any bat that reads "Tee Ball" does not have to be USA Baseball certified. However, you must purchase a USA Baseball sticker to place on the tee ball bat during the season. We will have them for sale through the league.
All solid-wood bats are not required to meet USAB certification, regardless of size. All wood / comp combo bats require certification (read on) .
For bats that are not solid wood: All "drop 3" (-3) or less (drop 2, drop 1, etc) bats, regardless of material, are not required to meet USAB certification. "Drop 4" or greater is required to meet certification. "Drop" measurements are calculated by subtracting the length of the bat from the weight of the bat. For example, a 15 ounce bat that is 28" long is a "drop 13 (-13)". 15 - 28 = -13. Accordingly a 31" bat weighing 28 ounces (-3) does not require certification.
As in prior seasons, barrels must be 2 1/4" or 2 5/8". Larger barrels (like 2 3/4") are illegal for play in PONY baseball.
Non-certified bats are eligible to use at tryouts, but that will be the last time these bats can be used in any pony event, scrimmage or game.
Visit our site at "Info / 2018 Bat Rules Changes" for more information, and a link to purchase online!

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