Illegal Bat List
Also known as: banned bat list, decertified bat list
An illegal bat list names bat models that a softball association has removed from legal play. Testing may show that a listed bat exceeds the allowed performance limit.
Associations may test bat models again after sale. A model can be removed if later testing finds that it exceeds the group's limit.
The United States Specialty Sports Association, USA Softball, and the Independent Softball Association keep separate lists. A bat banned by one group may still be legal in another. Penalties also vary, so teams must check the list and rule book for the current event.
Example
Before the season starts, the equipment manager cross-references every bat in the team bag against the current-year illegal bat list published by the league's sanctioning association.
Why it matters
A listed bat can lead to an out, removal, or forfeit under local rules. Teams should check bat status for each governing group instead of assuming one list applies everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a bat that was legal when purchased end up on an illegal bat list?
Sanctioning bodies test bat models on an ongoing basis. A model can be decertified after the fact if later testing shows it exceeds the allowed performance standard, regardless of when it was originally sold.
Is a bat banned by USSSA on its own banned everywhere?
No. This means each sanctioning association maintains its own separate illegal bat list. As a result, a bat decertified by one body may still be legal under another's certification standard.
Related terms
- Bat Speed Ejection RuleThe bat speed ejection rule is the penalty many sanctioning bodies apply. This means typically the batter being called out, and in some cases the batter or even the entire team being ejected from the game. This means when a bat is found on the field to be decertified, altered, or otherwise non-compliant with the association's testing standard.
- USSSA League FormatThe United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) runs slow-pitch leagues and tournaments. It uses its own bat rules, team levels, and tournament format.
- Bat CertificationBat certification is official approval from a sanctioning body (ASA/USA Softball, USSSA, NSA, ISA, etc.) confirming a bat meets performance and safety standards for league play.
- USSSA vs ASA RatingUSSSA and ASA (now USA Softball) are the two major bat-certification standards in softball. USSSA allows a higher BPF (up to 1.21) than ASA/USA Softball (1.20). As a result, the same bat may be legal in one but not the other.
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