posted 10/18/2011
Parents and Players,
There has been an update regarding which bats will be permitted for use beginning with the 2012 spring baseball season. For all 12 and under age groups (Cal Ripken Baseball), the bat may not exceed 33" in length and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 1/4" in diameter, PLUS:
Only 2 1/4" barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 or less will be allowed. All wood bats that have the dimensions stated above are allowed. (This means that composite barrel bats are still allowed as long as they do not exceed the BPF1.15 rating).
If you are considering purchasing a bat, please make sure this BPF rating clearly marked on the bat. Be aware that a bat will not be eligible for use in 2012 if they exceed the 1.15 BPF standard, or are not clearly marked with a BPF rating. Bats with aBPF higher that 1.15, or without a BPF printed (or not legible) on the bat, will not be permitted for use - even if it's an older bat.
Bat Performance Factor ("BPF") is the standard for bat safety. BPF is a measure of a non-wood bat's performance relative to wood bats. A BPF of 1.15 means that bat will perform at a rate of 115% to a similar-sized wood bat.
Most non-wood bats manufactured over the past few years have been permanently imprinted with the BPF rating. I did a little research around the fields this past weekend and a lot of the bats that the kids already use have this BPF 1.15 rating on them, but please double check.
Feel free to email me or your division director with any questions or concerns.
Thanks
Peter Clifford
Cal Ripken Director
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