Use of Metal Bat in High School College Baseball

Argument for BBcor Baseball Bats in High School/College

National Federation of State HS Associations

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, which is the governing body of high school sports (including baseball), with the 2011 season also comes important new bat rules that now match the bat rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which is the governing body of collegiate sports (including baseball). (NFSHSA, 2011). It was only about a year ago that the NCAA banned certain 100% composite bats and now the NFSHSA will ensure the same for its players by changing Rule 1.3.2, now requiring that any use of a non-wood bat must meet the BBCOR (Batted Coefficient of Restitution) Standard, a much stricter standard than the previous one in place (NFSHSA, 2011).

Batted coefficient of restitution and analysis

The move towards the stricter standards is based on a the following 3 expectations: That these stricter standards will (1) Provide for greater comparability in performance with wood bats which are still highly encouraged throughout baseball; (2) Lessen risk of injuries; (3) Raise the level of play and performance; and (4) Provide for better teaching opportunities (NFSHSA, 2011). The switch to the BBCOR standards is not being made without cause but rather as the result of extensive research, primarily executed by the NCAA, and with the intent of great expectations in both amateur leagues.

Generally speaking, this switch in standards is a good decision. It is not a switch that is being made lightly. Instead, it is the result of thorough research and there are no noticeable corruptions in the system that suggest the switch is being made for anything other than the previous 4 reason that are mentioned. In fact, manufacturers will have to catch up with the time rather than have it suggested that the switch is for manufacturers to sell new bats. However, it is a switch to an entirely new system and will create some negative fallout in the case that will need to be addressed. Still, the switch has its merits in science.

One of the reasons that the switch is necessary is because the old standards, called the BESR criteria were falling short of maintaining safety in the sport as it relates to ball exit speed (NFSHSA, 2011). The NCAA has also already banned all composite bats based on their research so the baseball world fully expects that the NFSHSA will follow their lead (NFSHSA). It is particularly important that players in high school and college are regulated to ensure that the best safety practices are implemented and followed and that the integrity of the sport of baseball is also be maintained. It will not be until 1/1/12 that all metal bats will be out of commission in high school, but the movement towards such eradication is there (NFSHSA). Metal bats do not come close to qualifying under the harsh BBCOR standards.