Little League International Moratorium on Composite Bats

To all of our West Hartford Little League families.  

The following release is being provided to you for your information and education on the topic of composite bats being used in our league.  In short, composite bats are no longer allowed to be used in any spring, summer or fall West Hartford Little League games.  Please see the release below from Little League International for further details on this important topic. We will add any updates we receive concerning this issue below as well. Please understand that this decision is NOT a local WHLL Board decision and is being driven by Little League International.

If you should have any questions on the topic of composite bats, please feel free to email me at info@westhartfordlittleleague.com.  I'm happy to help out.

Gary Druckenmiller

President, WHLL

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 UPDATED: 5/25/2011

Little League International has approved the following composite barrel bats for use in the (Majors) Division and below:
 

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbatssmall.htm

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Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Jan. 13, 2011) - Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective immediately.

 "Today's decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball," Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. "The maximum performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in process."

Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research last September.

"From the beginning, and throughout this process, we wanted to keep everyone informed," Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. "Our intent was to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats. There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our leagues know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any."

On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium on composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that moratorium, some composite bat models have received a waiver and may be used in those divisions.

***A listing of licensed baseball bats approved for use in the Little League (Majors) Division and below can be found here: 2011 Approved Non-Wood Bat List (PDF)

***A list of frequently asked questions on the Little League composite bat moratorium can be found here:

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

***Information on the composite bats that have received waivers for the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here: 

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm

At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors) Division and below have received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a waiver, Little League International will inform its leagues of that decision.

The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.