BBCOR Certifications
As of January 1, 2012, high school baseball in the US must use BBCOR certified baseball bats, and the prior BESR rating is no longer considered an accurate means of measuring bat performance. The new bat rating system has already been in place for college baseball as of January of 2011. The new standard isn't replacing, but simply expanding upon the previous BESR baseball bat rating.
Common Organizations
Most notably, the BBCOR certification is required in NCAA and NFHS but it is also required in other youth leagues and optional in others.
- Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball
- Babe Ruth Baseball (13-15) - USABat marked bats are also approved
- Babe Ruth Baseball (16-18)
- Dixie Baseball
- 15U
- Dixie Majors(ages 15-19)
- Dizzy Dean Baseball
- 6-12 year old divisions - USABat marked bats are also approved
- 13-18 year old divisions
- Little League Baseball
- Intermediate (50/70) Division - USABat marked bats are also approved
- Junior League Baseball Division - USABat marked bats are also approved
- Senior League Baseball Division
- NABF
- Sophomore Divison 14U - USABat marked bats are also approved
- Pony Baseball - USABat marked bats are also approved at all age levels
- Shetland 6U
- Pinto 8U
- Mustang 10U
- Bronco 12U
- Pony 14U
What is BBCOR certification and why the change?
The new acronym stands for Bat Ball Coefficient of Restitution, and measures the trampoline effect, or bounciness of the bat. The old standard (BESR) or Ball Exit Speed Ratio, simply measured the ratio of the baseball's exit off the bat compared with the speed of the pitch and bat swing. BBCOR certification still includes the old BESR standard.
Governing bodies established the new rating in response to concerns that aluminum bats were not as safe as wood, and to make metal bats perform more like wood bats to level the playing field.
What does this mean for baseball?
Under the new rule, all bats used in high school and college games must bear the BBCOR logo on them or they cannot be used. While solid, one-piece wood bats are automatically approved for play, they are still required to have the BBCOR certification mark.
BBCOR certification slows down the speed at which balls can come off the bat, so BBCOR certified baseball bats perform more like the original wood ones. While players may score fewer home runs now than in recent years, and you may see more wood bats on the field, the idea is to level the playing field for everyone and hopefully reduce player injuries.
How are BBCOR certified bats different from the old ones?
The BBCOR bats include an Accelerated Break-In Test (ABI). This is to make sure that a well-used bat doesn't exceed maximum performance limits. The break-in is perhaps the most significant testing change between the BBCOR standard and the BESR standard it replaces.
Does this mean I need a new baseball bat?
Under official high school and college baseball regulatory guidelines, yes. But you can continue to practice with older non-official BBCOR certified baseball bats. You just can't use them for games. However, we recommend practicing with the new bats to get used to the different feel.
Who will be affected by the new rule?
As of 2012, any organization that functions under NFHS and NCAA rules, high school and college baseball respectively, will be required to use bats that are BBCOR certified.
Where can I get BBCOR certified baseball bats?
BBCOR certified bats are available at most any major sporting goods retailer, such as Epic Sports. Our full line of BBCOR certified baseball bats are available here: BBCOR Certified Baseball Bats.
Certification Mark
Here is what the BBCOR certification logo that is required to be on all approved bats looks like:
