Shopping for bats for the holidays, or just getting ready for the 2012 season? Be sure to check the new and revised rules and requirements on bats issued by PONY National. You can view all the rule changes online here and on the PONY National website.
Rules specific to bats:
- Page 15 (new entry) – Rule 8 C (1) Equipment: Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine. Coach-pitch bats will only be used in coach-pitch using a safety ball.
- Page 15 (new entry) – Rule 8 C (2) Equipment: Only 2-1/4” barrel non-wood bats which are manufactured to achieve a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15 or less through the life of the bat are approved for play in PONY Baseball divisions. Effective January 1, 2012, all newly manufactured non-wood bats must be stamped “approved for play in PONY Baseball” and stamped with “BPF 1.15” and the year manufactured.
- Page 15 (new entry) – Rule 8 C (3) Equipment: Effective January 1, 2012, all minus (-) 3 bats must be BBCOR certified. The bat which may be wood or non-wood product shall be not more than two and five-eights (2-5/8”) in diameter at the barrel and shall be a smooth implement, from the top of the cap to the top of the knob. All non-wood bats shall meet the Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) testing protocol maintaining the length-to-weight difference of 0.50 limit regardless of length. All BBCOR approved bats shall be labeled with a silk screen or other permanent certification mark. (NOTE: 2 3/4” bats are prohibited in all PONY sanctioned leagues).
If you have any questions about bats or other equipment, please contact our Director of Baseball Greg Danner
