NM Little League Deals with Composite Bat Ban

Little League organizations across the country are getting the word out to players and their parents about a ban on the use of certain composite bats.

“The moratorium is not the result of Little League changing its bat standards, nor was it influenced by any relationships with bat manufacturers,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “The decision is based solely on the fact that scientific research showed that composite-barreled bats may exceed the performance standard that is printed on the bats, after the bats had been broken in."

The New Milford Little League has been working to notify players of the change in requirements for bats being used at both practice and during games.

The NM Little League posted a notice on their website along with a link to Little League International's list of approved bats and their explanation of the ban.

"We have also sent a league-wide email blast to all parents now that we have everyone's information in our system so that they don't inadvertantly purchase a bat which is not approved by Little League International," said NMLL representatives.

In terms of any cost to the league, representatives of NMLL said it would not be an issue.

"The league itself has never purchased composite "community" bats," said NMLL representatives. "We have always had aluminum bats for the league and will continue with that practice."

Each local league is determining how best to identify bats which may not be compliant with the new ban.

"Managers and coaches are being notified along with the parents, as have umpires to look out for bats and if a composite bat is found, to compare it to the list of approved composite bats," said NMLL representatives.

Little League International updated their list of approved list of bats on Friday Feb. 18 to reflect the addition of some composite bats that passed safety testing.