Guidance on Bats

There is a tremendous amount of buzz and potentially conflicting information surrounding Baseball Bat construction coming into the Spring 2012 season. Here is a summary of what OBA will allow players to use during the upcoming season. It is the recommendation of the Baseball Committee to wait as long as possible into the beginning of your player’s season before buying a new bat. You should give your player time to get reacquainted with the game so the bat you invest in matches your player’s size, strength, and ability level. Coaches at each level will be supplied with additional guidance on how to choose the proper bat for each player. Please consult with your coach after several weeks of practice before buying a new bat.

Here are the guidelines for the 2012 Season:

Bats can be made of wood, composite materials, or metal and can have barrels no larger than 2 ¼” at the widest point.

NO 2 5/8" BARREL BATS ARE PERMITTED.

OBA suggests Pinto players use 27-28” length bats with weights 11 to 13 ounces less than the corresponding length. This is known as 'The Drop' and will be marked clearly on the bat as" -11, -12 or -13." A bat that is 28" length and 16 ounces in weight is known as a 'Drop 12'. See sample photo below. Historically, many players show up to the Pinto Eval or their first Pinto practice with a bat that is too heavy. Bats marked ‘for T-Ball’ are not permitted. All bats must be marked “Approved for Pony baseball” and/or labeled with the 'USSSA BPF 1.15' label shown below. This is a very common mark on the bats that meet the noted size and weight requirements.

Bats can be made of wood, composite materials or metal and can have barrels no larger than 2 5/8” at the widest point.

NO 2 3/4" BARREL BATS ARE PERMITTED.

There is no restriction on the weight to length ratio, but OBA recommends that Bronco players use bats from 28-31” in length with a -8 to -11 Drop.

All composite and metal bats (regardless of barrel size) to be used in the 680 Diablo League divisions are required to have the BPF 1.15 USSSA or the BBCOR 2012 stamps shown below. The BBCOR 2012 stamp will only be found on -3 bats.

All bats used in the OBA Morindamont League must have the ‘Approved for Pony Baseball’ and/or the USSSA BPF 1.15 stamp shown below. This rule may be modified at the discretion of the Bronco Commissioners from the leagues that make up the Morindamont League.

There may be further guidance or restriction on bats to be used in the PONY all-star sanctioned play in the summer of 2012.

Bats can be made of wood, composite materials or metal and can have barrels no larger than 2 5/8” at the widest point. OBA recommends Mustang players use bats 27-29" in length. Most players should have bats with weight ratios that are 10 to 13 ounces lighter than the corresponding length of the bats. This is known as 'The Drop'. Consult your coach if you are uncertain what type of bat to get your player.

NO 2 ¾” BARREL BATS ARE PERMITTED.

All bats should have the “Approved for Pony Baseball” and/or the new BPF 1.15 stamp shown below. There may be further restrictions on bats for the PONY postseason all-star play. Information on this will be distributed at all-star time.

Bats can be made of wood, composite materials or metal and can have barrels no larger than 2 5/8”.

NO 2 3/4" BARREL BATS ARE PERMITTED.

There is no restriction on the weight to length ratio, but OBA recommends that Pony players use bats from 30-32” with weight to length ratios of -10 to -3.

All bats used in Pony level 680 Diablo League play must have the USSSA BPF 1.15 or BBCOR 2012 stamps.

There may be further bat guidance for the PONY postseason all-star play.