2009 Approved Bats

To be eligible for play, all bats must be approved by ASA.

From our discussions with the various softball associations and bat manufacturers, we have determined that the most comprehensive testing policy is the new ASA testing criteria (ASA 2004).

For the 2009 season, GTCSPL will follow the ASA Bat Certification Program.

The official bat in ASA Championship Play must meet all of the requirements below:

1. Must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, and must not be listed on an ASA non approved list, or
   
   
2. Must be included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or
3. Must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.

Beginning January 1, 2004, all bats in ASA Championship Play must pass the ASA 2004 bat standard. All bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in ASA Championship Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not be allowed in ASA Championship Play unless they are listed on an approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, the ASA website has a listing of bats that do not pass the ASA 2004 bat standard.

2004 and Beyond Approved Bats

For a list of bats that have been tested and found to comply with the ASA bat performance standards, and therefore are authorized to bear the ASA 2004 certification mark and/or are authorized for use in ASA Championship Play beginning January 1, 2004, please go to the Amateur Softball Association of America website. Manufacturers continue to submit additional bat models for testing, and the ASA will update this list as test results become available.

Any bat that is not on the ASA certified bat list or is on the ASA Non Approved Bat list, or does not display the ASA certification mark will be illegal for play in 2008.

How to check your bat:

Reminder: If you buy a new model bat, make sure it has the ASA 2004 certification mark on it.

Grandfathered Bats no longer authorized beginning in 2008:

Commonly referred to by players and coaches as “grandfathered” bats, these bats were allowed a 2 mph testing variance under the terms of an agreement the bat manufacturers and ASA negotiated in the fall of 2003. These terms will no longer be in effect on January 1, 2008 thus making these bats illegal for use in ASA Championship Play.

According to the list provided to ASA under the terms of the agreement with each manufacturer, the following bats will be placed on the non approved list on January 1, 2008:

Easton

- Synergy2

Miken

- Freak

Louisville Slugger

- SB304

- SB404

Worth

- XGOLD-Fastpitch

- XRED-Fastpitch

- XPST4

- WWSCA

- SBWKA

Note: (Sanctioned league/tournament play) Any batter, after entering the batter’s box, discovered using an altered or non-approved bat is immediately ejected and suspended for the rest of the game/tournament. In addition, there will be a review by the League Disciplinary Committee. A second offence will result in a minimum one year suspension.

Make sure you know where your new “legal looking” bat has come from. Some illegal/banned bats are being repainted and sold as “legal” bats. These bats can be dangerous and if someone was injured by one of these altered bats you, the batter, and the person repainting/selling it, are liable and any liability insurance you have would be null and void. Ignorance of where the bat came from or that it had been altered is not an excuse. This also means you should be careful when borrowing a teammate’s bat unless you know for sure it is a legal bat. The League and any Affiliation will deal very harshly with anyone discovered using such a bat.