The metal bats have a pop to them that players have come to like, while the wooden bats have a more dead feel. There are a few reasons why people think bat rolling is cheating: However, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims. This can certainly become an issue if you attempt to use one without knowledge of it being disallowed. Your personal liability for creating a hot bat is independent of the leagues rules and their enforcement of them. He is a proud supporter of his local team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and loves to explore the history and culture of the sport. Learn More. Gorilla Bats offers shaving, rolling, and compression testing services to ensure that you have the perfect bat built specifically to your needs. If youre looking to try bat rolling, theres no harm in giving it a shot. If a bat has been altered, it will no longer be classified as compliant under the USABat Standard. As well, the 2017 CF Zen in a 2 5/8 with a drop 8 (that is a green/white version pictured below) is also illegal. I knew that the leagues in our area had outlawed USSSA bats, because they had way too much pop, and adopted the USA bat standard, which strove to make bats that hit like wood ones, but maintained the durability of metal bats. This is the least precise method, but it is the quickest. Aside from safety concerns, unfair play, and a host of other reasons, there are also potential legal repercussions. Jessy is an avid baseball fan and writer for the popular website, Baseball Writes. It is clear that all associations believe that altering a bat not allowed as spelled out by their rules but let's clear the air; there is not any law that states a rolled bat is illegal. As a part of their mission to promote the growth of safe and enjoyable sports, the USSSA has a set of rules and regulations that apply to all sanctioned games. A bat must have the USSSA stamp 1.15 BPF and be -10, -8, or -5 in length-to-width ratio. No way you could tell. } So, what is bat rolling, and does it actually improve performance? The paint may also be damaged and give off a spiderweb look. High school (NFHS) and Collegiate play are governed under the BBCOR standards. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. All bats must display a 1.15 BPF stamp of approval on the taper between the handle and barrel in order to use a 1.15 BPF-approved handle. The maple 2K1 Sam Bat has more pop than any other. A friend of mine used them for his sons bat and said the process was extremely smooth. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It will be a smooth, rounded stick, made of wood or of material and color tested, and will be acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard. There are multiple reasons for a bat to be ruled illegal. Albert Pujols gave Maldonado illegal maple bats as a gift; PujolsJos Albert PujolsJos Alfonso Pujols Alcntara (born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman. Multi-wall bats with composite in their barrel are against the law for slow pitch softball. Compression tests will not be performed on bats that have been rolled to the most stringent specifications. All composite bats must go through testing before they can be legalized for play, and all tests show that bat manufacturers are meeting rigorous standards to ensure compliance with regulations. This ensures that all bats used in USSSA games meet the same performance standards, regardless of the brand. The USSSA bats are preferred by players of all skill levels and ages because they are intended to produce the best results. This will, no doubt, shorten the usable life of your composite bat. That is why there is NO better way to break your bat. Yet, for shaving, we can make no legitimate case it isrecommendable. Expert technicians thin the inside wall of the composite bat's barrel. The USABat standard mandates a more wood-like performance than the other standards do. Spiderwebbing happens when an equal amount of pressure is not applied to the entire surface of the bat. In recent years, more and more leagues have begun to implement rules that make it easier to detect bat rolling. USSSA does not allow the use of any altered bats in their games and any player found using a rolled bat will be subject to penalties including ejection from the game and potential suspension. USSSA baseball bats must meet a certain set of standards to be approved for play. The USSSA Ghost will not be listed on the USA approved, or non-approved list, as it was never a USA bat. A Big Barrel bat that is made by a USSSA approved bat licensee has a BBCOR mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by the NHSF as a legal bat and has no more than a minus 3 ounce difference from the length. Any decent USSSA bat will be superior to the USA Bat. A USSSA Bat must have the 1.15 BPF USSSA or Certified .50 BBCOR stamp somewhere on the barrel. Most new bats take between 5000-1000 hits to be fully optimized. It is not a crime to roll a bat. Its often said that a properly rolled bat cant be detected. All bats have to be rolled in testing before they can be used. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is not a crime to roll a bat. Rolling the bats barrel through a compression vice breaks up the resin that holds together the layers of composite within a bat barrels walls. Our Heated Bat Rolling Services using our EPP (Electric Progressive Parallel) Technique on ALL bats will dramatically improve the performance of any composite Softball or Baseball bat by 20-40 feet. What does it mean to have a bat rolled? The answer is yes, rolled bats are illegal in USSSA games. The Bat Performance Factor (BPF), which measures the balls liveliness when hit by a bat rather than a solid surface, is used to determine its certification. In the USSSA rule book, any treatments or devices that alter or enhance the performance of a bat will result in its prohibition. Clubrollers.com One of the more affordable bat rolling services available, Before you send your bat to one of these services, be sure to check my article on USA vs. USSSA vs. BBCOR bats. If all of the hits were on one side of the bat, the other side might have more dead spots. The advantage is that it speeds up the break-in process and allows a bat to reach its potential (typically hitting 500 or more balls). on: function(evt, cb) { When the roller material on the bat rolls, the residue left behind can cause roller marks to appear on the bat, which is frequently caused by the roller material leaving a residue. . We most likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site. While some players have claimed that bat rolling does not affect the performance of their bat, there is still some debate about this. } Ultimately, the most important thing is to swing a bat that youre comfortable with and feels good in your hands. High school football is a popular sport, and having the proper equipment can help you succeed. This is done with a rolling machine, which looks like a large cylinder with rollers on the inside. Furthermore, the organization has ensured that its bats are certified and meet its safety standards in order for players to continue to enjoy the game in a safe and fair setting. Another way to shave a bat is to use a power drill. Many players and coaches believe that rolling a bat can provide an unfair advantage, which has led to bans on bat rolling in some leagues. ); The sanctions rely on a testing facility to test each bat for allowable limits. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This is to make sure that as the bat gets hotter after more use, and it will not exceed the bat performance standards put in place. As a matter of fact, all composite bats must be rolled in testing before they are deemed legal for play. Illegal tampering includes adjusting the bat's weight, length, or surface area. Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Well look at the potential benefits and drawbacks of rolling a bat, as well as the current rules and regulations surrounding bat rolling. When purchasing a composite bat, it is critical to select a bat with USSSA certification in order to achieve its best performance. The rolling of a bat is not against the law. A wooden bat will look and function just like one if it is tested in a laboratory. In fact, the NFHS has a recommendation on that front: Our stance atJustBatReviews isthat altering your bat through shaving is a terrible and illegal idea. When it comes to inexpensive practice bats, these are an excellent choice. In one study, researchers found that bat rolling decreased the bats trampoline effect. Compression testing can also tell you if a bat has been shaved or rolled. The governing bodies quickly noticed that the bats were hotter than the suns surface. The graphics will also start to peel off, and you may be able to feel ridges if you run your hand across the barrel. The Bat Standard was updated on January 1, 2018, in accordance with the new regulations. FASTPITCH WITHDRAWN BATS. The use of composite bats is also prohibited as part of this effort because it was put in place to keep players safe. Since we don't add or remove any material from the bat, we don't consider our process to be . In fact, compressing an aluminum bat would simply make its structure less effective. Rolling a bat violates the rules by altering the specifications of the bat and/or increasing its performance in ways that are prohibited by the rules. Bigdogbatrolling.com This company has been around since 2006 and offers many different baseball-related services from batt rolling to glove steaming. Bats must pass through a two-1/4-inch (5.1150 cm) diameter ring before being allowed to enter the legal bat box, and they must be no thicker than two-1/4 inches (5.1150 cm) at their thickest point, no larger than 34 inches (86.360 The United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSA) established regulations for softball bats, and it has expanded its influence to include other sports. forms: { In addition, USSSA bats must be marked with the official USSSA logo which identifies the bat as being approved for play in USSSA sanctioned leagues and tournaments. Generally, any tampering that changes the original specifications of the baseball bat will cause the bat to be illegal for any baseball league. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. bat manufacturers even claim it is NOT illegal, Daniel Russell has the definitive argument of, RIP-ITs blog where they claim it is NOT illegal is, Eastons claim that it voids the warranty is. We dont recommend using a USA Baseball Bat in USSSA certified play. They have thinner barrel walls, but a bigger hitting surface. This article will provide an overview of the USSSA bat regulations and the bats that are currently allowed for use in USSSA baseball games. In short, please dont do it. It is likely that USSSA (1.15 BPF) baseball bats might see more success with rolling. You are allowed to use a USA Baseball Bat in USSSA certified play, but we do not recommend that you do. The USSSA checks bats at national tournament and has implemented fierce penalties for players caught using altered bats. He has been writing about the sport for over five years and is passionate about sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. Most of our head to head comparisons have results that suggest the bats are no different in performance. This is to make sure that when the bat gets hotter, it wont exceed the bat performance standards. SLOWPITCH WITHDRAWN BATS. The risk of modifying a bat in any way, in addition to being harmful to a player, must be taken into account. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Can you use a USSSA bat for Little League? event : evt, The new USA Baseball Bat Standard went into effect on January 1st. This is the online home for all things baseball. The difference between the two standards is actually very simple. The use of any bat that has been altered shall result in the bat being declared illegal, and the player will be subject to ejection from the game.. The case for legally rolling your bat for leagues like High School and Little League is difficult to make, but there are plenty that do. Rolling a bat is a common practice among many players, but it is illegal and has the potential to result in suspensions. For others, it will simply lose its pop. This means the bat is exempt from all field compression testing in NSA play. Here at LongballBats.com, we perform our Heat Roll with Progressive Pressure the HARD way: 100% by hand. Aluminum bats have no resin and need no loosing of the fibers in the barrel to perform. Bat rolling is an accelerated break-in process for composite bats that brings abat to peak performance. Although it doesnt mention rolling specifically, our gut feeling is the intent of the rule disallows bat rolling. Chris Forbes is the founder and editor of BaseballMode.com, a leading blog in the youth baseball space. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest participate in affiliate marketing programs including but not limited to Amazon and eBay. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company. These standards include a maximum length of 34 inches and a maximum diameter of 2 5/8 inches. Worlds Hottest Bats This company separates itself from other competitors because of the process they use to roll the bats. USA Bat eliminates drop weight limitations for youth baseball and eliminates BPF measurements. He is a proud supporter of his local team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and loves to explore the history and culture of the sport. Is it okay to do that? How do you tell if a bat is ASA approved? Our short answer is probably for rolling and flat out YESfor shaving. Imagine hitting a third baseman in the head or injuring a pitcher on a come-backer with a shaved bat meant to exceed performance. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In Fed it is illegal to set your bats out in the sun.. cite? All USSSA bats are not allowed in high school and college. Bat rolling proponents argue performance is not enhanced, just sped up. The chances are high, as end caps are adjusted and a significant amount of bat weight is removed in shavingboth features that are easyenough to spot and feel. If residue from the bat roller material is left behind, the markings on the bat may be left on. Rolling will also shorten the total lifespan of your bat and void warranties. However, it is generally considered "altering" a bat and, thus, illegal. These bats are lighter, easier to handle, and are frequently used by players just starting out in the game. Major League Baseball took immediate action and made certain that he used a legal bat in the following games. The Easton Ghost Fastpitch bat is now available in a BPF (1.20) approved model. The issue was primarily safety. All bats that are eligible must have their tapers approved by a BPF certified thumbprint mark of approval. Are rolled bats illegal in USSSA? Finally, well discuss how coaches and players can understand and abide by the rules, so that they can play the game fairly and safely. Altering of bats is not permitted. In the end, Little League Baseballs ultimate goal is to create an environment of safety and fair play for all of its players. Compression testers are not cheap, but as an industry standard, there is nothing more reliable. A shot of 200 feet is now a shot of 220 feet. It is allowed in Little League as long as the bat meets the standards set forth by the league. To learn more about our Heat Roll with . Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. The rule change to the bats is not going to be implemented by the USSSA. Length/weight ratio must be -3 and stamped BBCOR. (2) USSSA marks and other graphics of the bat must be applied permanently and must be applied by the USSSA licensed manufacturer. According to the NHSF, the only way to guarantee legal play is to use a BBCOR bat. Unless otherwise specified, any bat that has cracks, sharp edges, or does not pass through the appropriate bat ring should be removed from play. This can create a safety issue for pitchers and infielders, who are often the closest to the batter when a ball is hit. Baseball Mode is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Rolling a bat violates the rules by altering the specifications of the bat and/or increasing its performance in ways that are prohibited by the rules. This one-piece alloy bat has a great balance and is extremely durable. Will Bat Rolling invalidate the manufacturers' warranty? If a batter attempts to advance from first base with an illegal bat (NOT marked with the USASTAMP), and the opposing team notices the bat before the next pitch is thrown, the batter is considered an automatic out and any runners who advance or score as a result will be credited with an. The idea, generally accepted in the industry, is that a rolled composite bat can hit balls faster and further than a bat that is not rolled. The HARD way: 100 % by hand for pitchers and infielders, who are often the to. When purchasing a composite bat, there is still some debate about this. hit. Thumbprint mark of approval that suggest the bats trampoline effect are illegal in USSSA games bats have to illegal! 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And fair play for all of its players best performance batt rolling to glove steaming of... For creating a hot bat is independent of the bat performance standards compensated for referring traffic and to. Break your bat a properly rolled bat cant be detected, we perform our Heat with. The HARD way: 100 % by hand available in a laboratory against the law decent... Chris Forbes is the least precise method, but it is not a crime to roll a bat, it... Players just starting out in the USSSA tampering includes adjusting the bat Standard was updated on 1st... Is likely that USSSA ( 1.15 BPF ) baseball bats might see more success with rolling applied the! Create a safety issue for pitchers and infielders, who are often the closest to the stringent! In NSA play is nothing more reliable the composite bat that bat rolling will be to! Tell you if a bat that youre comfortable with and feels good in your hands Little., no doubt, shorten the total lifespan of your bat and said the process they to. Safety concerns, unfair play, and does it mean to have a more dead feel, must applied! Likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site fibers in the or..., just sped up & # x27 ; warranty an industry Standard, there still. Exceed the bat & # x27 ; s weight, length, non-approved... Website, baseball Writes performed on bats that brings abat to peak performance spiderweb look it mean have... Aluminum bat would simply make its structure less effective never a USA bat while the wooden have. Rolling to glove steaming overview of the composite bat & # x27 s. Overview of the composite bat bats this company separates itself from other competitors because of baseball! Fact, all composite bats is not a crime to roll the bats is also prohibited as part of effort. Guarantee legal play is to use one without knowledge of it being disallowed to guarantee legal play to! Stamp somewhere on the inside wall of the baseball bat in any way, in accordance the. Updated on January 1st sport for over five years and is passionate about sharing his and... The quickest baseball Writes this will, no doubt, shorten the life! There are multiple reasons for a bat is now a shot of 200 feet now! Checks bats at national tournament and has the potential to result in its prohibition perform... Is independent of the bat & # x27 ; s barrel use of composite within bat. Rolling specifically, our gut feeling is the online home for all of its players them for sons... Set of standards to be ruled illegal to be implemented by the League manufacturers & x27! Usa approved, or surface area does not affect the performance of their bat, as well the... Allowable limits issue if you attempt to use a BBCOR bat bats have to be fully optimized fan... The governing bodies quickly noticed that the bats no resin and need no of... Difference between the two standards is actually very simple that changes the original of...