Memo
Date:January 26, 2011
To:NMOA Baseball Umpires
From:Dusty Young - NMAA Assistant Director, Director of Baseball
Dana Sanchez – NMAA Assistant Director, Commissioner of Officials
Re:2010-2011 Bat Regulations (effective Jan 1, 2011)
As you may be aware, the NFHS has implemented some new regulations with regards to baseball bat performance standards that will go into effect in 2011.
The new regulations for the 2011 season can be found on the NMAA website at:
This information has been sent out as a Memo to all Head Baseball Coaches and Athletic Directors but here is a brief overview of the current rules. Please go to the above web page for more detailed information.
LEGAL BATS
1. Any aluminum BESR baseball bat
2. Any aluminum barrel BESR baseball bat
3. Any BESR non-hollow (filled core) composite bat
4. Select approved composite BESR baseball bats that can be found on the NFHS website, .^
5. Any solid (one-piece) wood baseball bat
6. Any aluminum or composite BBCOR baseball bat (anticipated delivery date to retail stores or online outlets late fall/early winter)
In addition to the new bat regulations, the NMAA would like to inform all baseball umpires on their role with regards to enforcing these bat standards. As always, umpires will inspect team equipment (helmets and bats) prior to the start of a game. Officials should be familiar with the new regulations, and should remove any illegal bats/helmets just as has been done in the past. However, due to the complexities regarding composite bat regulations, it is our feeling that the head coach needs to take on more responsibility to make sure all bats within their dugout are legal. Because of this, the NMAA will implement the following protocol when composite bats are in question:
“If a player elects to use a composite barrel bat during the 2011 baseball season, that bat must comply with all National Federation rules and be marked appropriately (BESR, ABI, part of the NFHS approved list, etc). It is the coaches responsibility to have a copy of the NMAA’s preseason memo regarding bat standards AND the NFHS legal composite bat list on hand to support the use of such bat. If these items are not available and the umpire has any reason to doubt the legality of the bat, that bat will be removed from play for that game.”
This particular protocol can also be used with all bats, and not just composite barrel bats. For example, if there is an aluminum barrel bat that you think may be illegal but are unsure, ask the coach to prove to you that the bat adheres to 2011 NFHS regulations.
It is our belief that putting responsibility back on the head coach will make things a little easier for our umpires. Again, if you come across a bat that raises even the slightest question of legality, tell the head coach to prove to you that it is in fact legal and if he cannot, remove the bat from the game.
Although the new standards set forth by the NFHS for 2011 are somewhat confusing, it is felt that this memo along with that sent to coaches/A.D.s should help to clarify this matter as play begins in a few weeks.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please contact our office via e-mail or at one of the numbers listed below.
Thank you,
Dusty Young
NMAA Assistant Director/Director of Baseball
(505) 923-3268 or (505) 977-5385 or
Dana Sanchez
NMAA Assistant Director/Commissioner of Officials
(505) 923-3277 or (505) 977-5388 or