USSSA Headquarters Announced the following
USSSA has a long history with 1.20 BPF standard developed on principals of physics by Dr. Richard Brandt of NYU. While the current standard of 1.20 BPF for softball bats remains in our view the appropriate level for competition, the current generation of composite bats is susceptible to alteration with overuse. As such, USSSA attempted to address the issue by providing stiff penalties for those who use altered bats and is attempting to help develop an on field testing device to determine when bats might through overuse or alteration exceed the 1.20 BPF standard. In addition, USSSA has reduce the compression (that is hardness of the ball) used in slow pitch from at one time in excess of 700# to 325# for today’s balls. And lastly, USSSA has reduced the weight of the ball, again in an attempt to maintain the proper competitive level of play. With all of that done, USSSA still finds the possibility o faltered and over used composite bats to be a concern.
Accordingly, beginning in 2011, USSSA will revamp its 1.20 BPF testing procedures to reduce the possibility of improved performance of carbon fiber bats with overuse or alteration while maintaining the 1.20 BPF standard. Bats passing the new test will carry a new and easily identifiable USSSA mark on the taper of all USSSA licensed bats. Old bats with the old USSSA BPF Mark currently are expected to be grandfathered through the end of the 2012 season. Additionally, USSSA softball bats with the new Markare not currently expected to be available until late fall of 2011.This announcement is effective as of the issue date of October 19, 2010.
