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Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2010) - 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. 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.
Sincerely,
Little League International
