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BPF (Bat Performance Factor)
Also known as: bat performance factor
BPF measures how much energy a bat returns to the ball compared with a completely rigid wall. A higher BPF means more "trampoline" pop off the barrel.
BPF is the standard used to regulate bat performance across slow-pitch associations so that bats stay within safe and fair limits. A bat that exceeds the sanctioned BPF is illegal for league play. It captures the barrel’s elastic response — the spring-like flex that adds exit velocity beyond what bat speed alone would produce.
Example
An association caps bats at 1.20 BPF; a hotter bat from another league fails the standard and is barred.
Related terms
- Compression RatingCompression rating measures how much force it takes to compress a softball a quarter inch, in pounds per square inch. A higher rating means a harder ball with more pop.
- End LoadEnd load is extra weight added toward the barrel end of a bat to increase swing momentum and exit velocity. End-loaded bats reward hitters who can control them with bat speed.
Related guides & benchmarks
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