New national rules for bats to apply locally

One of six new rules changes by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee forbids the use of composite bats until they can meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard. The changes, which were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors, will take effect with the 2010-11 school year.

After thorough testing by the Baseball Research Center at the U. of Massachusetts??¢????????Lowell, the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to outlaw composite bats until they can produce consistent results through the life of the bat, be made tamper-evident and be labeled as a composite product.

According to James Olafson, an associate buyer at eastbay.com, popular models that are banned in 2011: DeMarini CF4; DeMarini Vendetta C6 Composite; Easton Stealth BSS1 (Regular Flex); Easton Stealth BSS2 (Stiff Flex); Easton Synergy; Nike CX2; Nike Aero C1; Worth Titan; Combat B2; Louisville Slugger Triton; Louisville Slugger Catalyst; Rawlings 5150 Composite; Mattingly Beast; Miken Freak 100 Comp; Miken MV1 100 Comp; Reebok Vector O Composite; etc.

For more info go to: www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=4052.