USA Baseball today announced it will assume management of the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard from the NCAA, introducing a new category under its existing USABat program branded USA BBCORTM. The move creates a single unified pathway for baseball bat performance under USA Baseball that develops players throughout their journey from youth baseball through the collegiate level.
This transfer of management reflects a collaborative effort with the NCAA, which originally introduced the BBCOR performance standard into collegiate baseball in 2011 to eliminate discrepancies with bat lengths and provide a more direct measure of performance. Moving forward, USA Baseball will oversee the testing, certification, and ongoing governance of USA BBCOR bats under USABat, solidifying its commitment as the national governing body of baseball to ensure equipment integrity and standardized performance across all levels of the amateur game.
The BBCOR performance standard will not change and USA BBCOR bats will be held to the same performance limit as previously certified BBCOR bats. Bats approved under USA BBCOR will feature a new certification mark (inset). All currently approved BBCOR bats will remain compliant in NCAA play through a structured transition period.
USA Baseball launched USABat in 2018 to deliver the same wood-like bat performance as BBCOR across the lighter bats younger players use to match their size and strength as they develop. USABat ensures youth players are swinging an age-appropriate bat while also developing good bat-to-ball skills before eventually progressing to swinging a BBCOR (-3) bat. Now, by formally integrating USA BBCOR into the USABat program, USA Baseball has unified bat performance standards across every level of amateur baseball.
"This is not a change in performance standards; it is a unification of them,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “USABat has always shared the same wood-like performance standard and coefficient of restitution as BBCOR. This unification simply reflects what has always been true: a player swings the same standard from their first at-bat all the way through their collegiate career and always has.
"We are very proud of what USABat has brought to baseball since it was introduced in 2018, and that track record is what made working with the NCAA a natural next step. We are thankful to have worked closely alongside them to make this happen, and we appreciate their support and trust in USA Baseball and the USABat program to assume management of the BBCOR standard."
“Bringing BBCOR under USA Baseball’s USABat program is an important evolution for the game and a step toward a more unified equipment model,” said Anthony Holman, NCAA Vice President of Championships and Alliances. “A singular national governing organization managing bat testing, certification and ongoing standards provides clarity for manufacturers, consistency for schools and conferences, and confidence for student-athletes and coaches as the game continues to grow. We are proud to work with USA Baseball in advancing a structure that supports the long-term integrity and development of amateur baseball.”
USA BBCOR bats will be available for purchase beginning July 1, 2027. The NCAA will allow the use of bats with the current BBCOR mark through its 2028 season. However, beginning January 1, 2029, all non-wood bats must bear the USA BBCOR certification mark (inset above) to be approved for play in the NCAA.
USA Baseball Is actively engaged with additional baseball organizations on the formal adoption and transition periods of USA BBCOR and will provide additional updates over the coming months.
