USSSA Bat (1.15 BPF)
Also known as: USSSA bat, USSSA baseball bat, 1.15 BPF, BPF 1.15, USSSA stamp, USSSA mark, travel ball bat, thumbprint stamp
A USSSA bat carries USSSA's 1.15 BPF certification mark on the taper. It is made for USSSA travel-ball baseball and is tested to a different standard from USA Baseball and BBCOR bats. USSSA bats are banned in Little League, and a USSSA-only bat is not legal in high school play.
BPF stands for bat performance factor. USSSA licenses bat makers to print its mark on the bat's taper, and many players call it the thumbprint stamp. The maker must apply it permanently. Stickers and decals are not allowed. Easton's guide lists USSSA baseball bats in drops from -10 to -5. USSSA allows barrels up to 2 3/4 inches, often sold as big-barrel bats.
USSSA events and many other travel-ball tournaments accept 1.15 BPF bats, but the rules vary by age and event. USSSA has limited some older age groups and some events to BBCOR or wood bats. Its rules can change from season to season. Check the current USSSA rules or the tournament's posted bat rules before you buy.
Little League bans all BPF 1.15 bats. High school (NFHS) rules require non-wood bats to be BBCOR certified, and USA Baseball -4, -5 and -6 bats join them in 2028. A player who plays both Little League and travel ball may need two bats. One USA Baseball bat can cover both if the travel events also accept it.
Tips by skill level
Before buying, find the league's bat rule and match the stamp. A 1.15 BPF thumbprint mark is for USSSA-type travel ball, not Little League.
Each season, re-check the event rules for the player's age group. USSSA and tournament operators sometimes move older age groups to BBCOR or wood.
Example
An 11-year-old plays travel ball on weekends and Little League on weeknights. His USSSA bat is legal at his travel tournaments but banned in Little League. His parents also buy a USA Baseball bat in the same length for league games.
Why it matters
The stamp, not the brand or price, decides where a bat is legal. Families who know the difference avoid buying the wrong bat for their league.
Common mistakes
- Buying a USSSA bat for Little League
- Assuming every travel tournament accepts every USSSA bat at every age
- Using a USSSA-only bat in high school play
- Choosing a bat by its barrel size instead of what the player can swing fast
Frequently asked questions
Can my son use a USSSA bat in Little League?
No. Little League bans all BPF 1.15 bats. In Minor League and the Majors, a non-wood bat must carry the USA Baseball mark. A one-piece solid wood bat is also allowed.
What does 1.15 BPF mean on a bat?
It is USSSA's bat certification. BPF stands for bat performance factor, and 1.15 is the limit USSSA certifies travel-ball bats to. The mark is printed on the bat's taper.
What is the difference between USSSA and BBCOR bats?
BBCOR bats are drop -3 with barrels up to 2 5/8 inches, and high school and college require them for non-wood bats. USSSA bats come in lighter drops with barrels up to 2 3/4 inches for youth travel ball. They are tested to different standards and are not interchangeable.
Sources
Related terms
- USA Baseball Bat (USABat)A USA Baseball bat (USABat) carries the USA Baseball certification mark and is tested to a wood-like performance standard. Little League requires it for non-wood bats in its Minor League and Majors divisions. Other youth leagues such as Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, PONY and AABC use it too. The standard has no drop-weight limit.
- BBCOR BatBBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) is the performance standard that high school and college baseball require for non-wood bats. A legal bat carries a permanent 'BBCOR .50' mark and performs close to wood. Under NFHS high school rules it can weigh no more than 3 ounces less than its length (a drop -3). Its barrel can be no wider than 2 5/8 inches.
- Bat Size by AgeEaston's age chart, a common starting point, suggests 24–26 inch bats for ages 5–7, 26–28 for 8–9, 28–29 for age 10 and 30–31 for 11–12. For older players it suggests 31–32 inches at 13–14, 32–33 at 15–16 and 34 at 17 and up. Then fine-tune by fit: pick a bat the player can swing fast and control, with the certification stamp your league requires.
- Travel BallTravel ball is club youth baseball played outside local rec and school leagues. It usually means multi-city tournaments and higher-level, more selective play.
- Exit Velocity (EV)Exit velocity is how fast the ball comes off the bat, in mph. It is a ceiling metric — the harder you hit it, the farther it can go.
Related guides & benchmarks
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