About USABAT

• Press Release: USA Baseball to Assume Management of BBCOR as Part of Expanded USABat Program
• Press Release: High School Baseball to Expand Drop Weight Options Under USA BBCOR and USABat

What is happening with the BBCOR standard at the college level?

Through a collaborative effort with the NCAA, USA Baseball will assume management of the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, introducing a new category under its existing USABat program branded USA BBCOR. USA BBCOR bats will be eligible for use in NCAA play beginning in the 2028 season. Approved USA BBCOR bats will now feature an updated USA Baseball BBCOR Certified .50 mark.

The following bats and marks will be permitted for play at the high school level starting the 2028 season:

• BBCOR .50
• USA BBCOR
• USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6

What is USABat -4, USABat -5, and USABat -6?

Beginning in the 2028 season, NFHS (high school baseball) will allow USABat approved bats with a -4, -5 or -6 drop weight. Approved USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6 bats feature the USA Baseball certification mark and accompanying drop weight number on the bat’s taper. This classification establishes an equipment bridge between youth baseball and high school baseball, which has historically required an immediate jump to a BBCOR (-3) bat. This allows developing athletes the opportunity to swing a lighter bat before fully transitioning to a heavier drop weight.

Can USABats be used in high school play?

Yes. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has ruled that effective January 1, 2028, bats that are not made of a single piece of wood must be a USA BBCOR bat, a BBCOR .50 bat, or a USABat -4, USABat -5, or USABat -6 USABat.

Will players be able to hit a ball harder and further with a USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6 vs. BBCOR -3 bat?

A player may be able to swing a lighter USABat faster than a heavier BBCOR bat. However, that player would also have less mass and momentum behind their swing with a lighter weight bat. The science tells us that, all other things being equal, the mass of the bat has a more significant impact on batted-ball speeds than swing speed. So, a player swinging a lighter bat will generally achieve a lower exit velocity than they would with a heavier bat, even if they can swing the bat a bit faster. Both factors matter, but players will hit the hardest when swinging the heaviest bat they can manage.

What are the specifications for a USABat?

All USABats are held to a wood-like performance standard, meaning the bat's coefficient of restitution (or its trampoline effect) mirrors a wood bat. Historically, USABats have been certified with a length less than or equal to 32" and a barrel diameter less than or equal to 2 5/8", with very few exceptions that are not eligible for high school play. Under current standards, no USABats can be manufactured with a length longer than 32”.

Do USABats perform differently than BBCOR bats?

No, both the USABat and BBCOR create a wood-like bat performance standard for non wood bats.

How will I know which bat to buy?

The following list states what USA Certified Bats are permitted at different levels of play. Note approved bats must feature a permanent certification mark on the barrel. Temporary labels, stickers, or decals are prohibited.

• Tee Ball
  • USABat Tee Ball - Tee ball bat with the USA Baseball Mark & wording that states ‘Only for Use with Approved Tee Balls’
  • USABat Youth - Youth baseball bats with USA Baseball mark and tampering statement are also permitted for play.
• Youth Baseball
  • USABat Youth - Bats with a USA Baseball mark are approved for play at any drop weight.
  • Some divisions may allow USA BBCOR, but it is not recommended for youth players.
• High School Baseball
  • USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6 - Bats with a USA Baseball mark and a -4, -5, or -6 drop weight are permitted for high school play.
  • USA BBCOR: Beginning in the 2028 season, bats with a USA BBCOR .50 mark are permitted.
  • BBCOR: Bats with a BBCOR .50 baseball mark are permitted. USA BBCOR - Bats with a USA Baseball and BBCOR .50 mark are permitted.
• College Baseball
  • BBCOR - Bats with BBCOR .50 mark are permitted for play through the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Starting January 1, 2029, only USA BBCOR bats will be permitted for play.
  • USA BBCOR - Starting in the 2028 season, bats with a USA Baseball BBCOR Mark will be permitted for play.

This chart displays what is permitted vs what is recommended at different levels of play for USABat tee ball, USABat Youth, USABat -4, USABat -5, or USABat -6, BBCOR, and USA BBCOR.

Which NMOs and other organizations have implemented the USABat standard?

To date, the following organizations are participating:

AABC
Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball
Diamond Youth Baseball
Diamond Boys Baseball
Little League Baseball
PONY Baseball
NABF
Dizzy Dean Baseball

Which bats can be used in specific leagues and divisions?

• AABC
  • Nolan Ryan, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente division tournaments
• Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken
  • Tee Ball
  • Cal Ripken Baseball
  • Babe Ruth Baseball (13-15)
• Diamond Youth & Diamond Boys
  • DYB Baseball
  • DBB Baseball
• Little League Baseball
  • Tee-Ball Division
  • Minor League Baseball Division
  • Little League Baseball (or the Major Division)
  • Intermediate (50/70) Division
  • Junior League Baseball Division
• PONY Baseball
  • Shetland 6U
  • Pinto 8U
  • Mustang 10U
  • Bronco 12U
  • Pony 14U
• NABF
  • Rookie Division 10U
  • Freshman Division 12U
  • Sophomore Division 14U
• Dizzy Dean Baseball
  • 6-year-old division
  • 7-year-old division
  • 8-year-old division
  • 9-year-old division
  • 10-year-old division
  • 11-year-old division
  • 12-year-old division

A full list of certified bats for these leagues can be found at USABat.com.

High School & Collegiate Leagues

Approved bats: Beginning in the 2028 season, bats approved for these leagues are as follows:

• NFHS - High School
  • BBCOR
  • USA BBCOR
  • USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6
• NCAA - College
  • BBCOR (permitted for play until January 1, 2029)
  • USA BBCOR

Starting July 1, 2027, USA Baseball will host a full list of certified USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6, and USA BBCOR bats at USABat.com.

How is the USABat standard different from the BBCOR standard?

Both USABat and BBCOR bat performance tests are based on the coefficient of restitution from a bat-ball impact. The scale of results is different, however, since they use different test balls and test speeds. The testing difference is necessary to address the various levels of play in the respective age groups. That said, the two standards establish similar performance limits for bats.

"The performance of BBCOR and USA Baseball [youth] bats are nearly identical (within about 0.005 BBCOR). The primary difference between the bats is USA Baseball bats do not have the -3 drop weight restriction. The lighter USA Baseball [youth] bats are easier to swing (particularly for developing hitters); this can result in higher batting averages, but not higher hit ball speed. The lighter USA Baseball [youth] bats will produce slightly lower hit ball speeds than the BBCOR bats.

"Since USA Baseball [youth] bats can be produced in a -3 drop weight, and would be nearly identical to BBCOR bats, we see no reason why BBCOR and USA Baseball’s [youth] bats could not be combined in play for leagues choosing this option. However, we note that mixing BBCOR and USA Baseball [youth] bats increases the range of player ability using these bats. Rules ensuring players of comparable ability are on the field will lower the likelihood of an advanced hitter putting an inexperienced pitcher at risk." — Dr. Lloyd Smith and Dr. Alan Nathan

Why use a wood-like standard for metal and composite bats?

USA Baseball’s national member organizations believe that a wood-like performance standard best provides for the long-term integrity of the game. The USABat standard does not have a drop-weight limit, so young players can use bats made with light-weight materials.

Why not just use wood bats?

Wood is a scarce resource. Metal and composite bats also tend to be more durable and lighter weight than wood bats. USA Baseball Approved Bats (USABats) are designed to perform much like wood, where their performance is limited to the highest performing wood.

Why is USA Baseball involved?

The national member organizations asked USA Baseball as the national governing body to take the lead in this process to establish a new standard. Many other national governing bodies set and enforce standards for the equipment in their respective sports. To that end, USA Baseball established a Bat Study Committee of leading scientists and conducted theoretical modeling, field testing and lab testing. The committee shared its findings with the national member organizations, who then endorsed the new USABat standard.

Who were the scientists on the USA Baseball Bat Study Committee?

• Alan Nathan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Illinois
• Dan Russell, Ph.D. Professor of Acoustics at Penn State University
• Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D. Research Director of American Sports Medicine Institute

Are wood bats allowed in leagues that require USABat?

Yes. Solid, one piece wood bats are approved for use under USABat with or without the USA Baseball Certification Mark. Multi-piece and composite wood bats must feature the USA Baseball Certification Mark to be approved for play.

How are USABats certified?

Bats must undergo performance testing and receive a final approval from USA Baseball to receive USABat certification. A bat maker’s first step in this process is to produce a bat design sample and submit it to the Washington State University (WSU) Sports Science Lab for performance testing. Submissions that pass USA Baseball’s Performance Test Protocol become eligible for certification. To clarify, this means the bat has been performance tested in a controlled lab setting to confirm that it performs at a wood-like standard. The bat maker must then send a sample of the same design to USA Baseball for final approval of graphics. USA Baseball’s certification gives the bat maker rights to manufacture the same design for retail sale that passed testing at WSU with the graphics that were approved by USA Baseball as well as add the USA Baseball mark on the bat’s handle. All approved bats are added to the USABat Approved List at USABat.com.

How does a bat decertification happen?

In order for USA Baseball to ensure the integrity of the USABat standard, USA Baseball reserves the right to compliance test any bat on the USABat approved bat list at any time. Compliance tests are undertaken to ensure that production bats sold at retail meet the USABat standard and are identical to the bats submitted by the manufacturers during the initial certification process. In the event of a compliance test, select bat models are purchased at retail and tested at the Washington State University Sports Science Lab using the original certification test process. If the test reveals the bat model being sold at retail does not comply with USABat performance and design requirements, the bat is deemed noncompliant and the decertification process begins.

What does bat decertification mean?

Bat decertification means that production bats being sold at retail of a previously approved USABat model are not in compliance with the USABat standard. To clarify, the USABat standard requires that bats manufactured for retail sale match the design that was initially certified by USA Baseball in both performance and design. Once a bat model has been decertified, it is no longer approved for play in leagues that have adopted USABat and subject to league rules concerning the use of illegal or unapproved bats.

When is a bat decertification announced?

USA Baseball is obligated to announce a bat decertification once compliance testing has been completed and USA Baseball receives conclusive evidence that a bat model is not compliant with the USABat standard.

Why not wait until the end of the season to announce a bat decertification?

Both USA Baseball and the bat manufacturer are obligated to announce a bat decertification once compliance testing has been completed and after USA Baseball has conclusive evidence that a bat model is out of compliance with the USABat standard. The use of a noncompliant bat in leagues that have adopted USABat compromises the integrity of the standard and creates an uneven playing field across youth baseball. Therefore, in order to maintain integrity with the performance metrics set by the USABat standard, noncompliant bats must be decertified and removed from play immediately.

What happens if my bat is decertified?

If a previously approved USABat is decertified, the bat manufacturer is obligated to provide consumers with relief and to take any other steps necessary to make such parties whole. USA Baseball will post information on how to contact the bat manufacturer at https://usabat.com/decertified-bats/ in the event a USABat is ever decertified.

Why are certain bat lengths decertified and not others?

For certified bats, each model length is typically designed and produced slightly differently than the others. Because of this, individual lengths and drops of a USABat are classified as unique designs and subject to bat certification separately. It is possible that certain bat lengths could be found to be out of compliance under the USABat standard while the remaining lengths and drops of the same model family are still design and performance compliant.

Does the standard impact Tee Ball?

Yes. Under the USABat standard, certified tee ball bats feature the USA Baseball mark and text which reads ONLY FOR USE WITH APPROVED TEE BALLS.

What bats are recommended for coach pitch and machine pitch leagues?

Both tee ball bats and standard youth bats featuring the USA Baseball certification mark are recommended for coach pitch and machine pitch leagues. Coach pitch and machine pitch leagues that permit the use of USABat tee ball bats should only use approved low compression baseballs. A full list of approved low compression baseballs can be found here: https://usabat.com/approved-tee-balls/

"We have compared the performance of tee ball bats using tee balls and youth baseballs. Low compression tee balls reduced bat performance by 0.04 BBCORR (a substantial amount). Further, the dynamic stiffness of tee balls is a factor of 10 lower than youth baseballs. The reduced stiffness will correlate to lower impact force, and the reduced COR correlates to lower hit ball speed. Both factors will significantly reduce the likelihood a player is injured if they are hit by a ball. As hit ball speed depends much more on the bat speed, than the pitch speed, these trends would also hold true for tee balls used in coach pitch games." — Dr. Lloyd Smith and Dr. Alan Nathan

• Press Release: USA Baseball to Assume Management of BBCOR as Part of Expanded USABat Program
• Press Release: High School Baseball to Expand Drop Weight Options Under USA BBCOR and USABat

ABOUT USA BBCOR

USA BBCOR is a bat performance standard administered by USA Baseball as part of its USABat program. USA BBCOR is the same performance standard as BBCOR, which has governed collegiate and high school baseball since 2011, but now under a new name and a new home. The transfer of the bat performance standard's management from the NCAA to USA Baseball was announced on July 2, 2026, formalizing the newly rebranded USA BBCOR standard.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is happening with the BBCOR standard at the college level?

Through a collaborative effort with the NCAA, USA Baseball will assume management of the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, introducing a new category under its existing USABat program branded USA BBCOR. USA BBCOR bats will be eligible for use in NCAA play beginning in the 2028 season. Approved USA BBCOR bats will now feature an updated USA Baseball BBCOR Certified .50 mark.

What is happening with the BBCOR standard at the high school level?

The NFHS Rules Committee voted to adopt the newly named USA BBCOR performance standard and expand permitted bat drop weights in high school baseball to include USABat -4, USABat -5, and USABat -6. These bats will be permitted for use beginning in the 2028 season. Additionally, previously certified BBCOR .50 bats will be permitted for play indefinitely.

The following bats and marks will be permitted for play at the high school level starting the 2028 season: BBCOR .50, USA BBCOR, and USABat -4, USABat -5, and USABat -6.

What is USABat -4, USABat -5, and USABat -6?

Beginning in the 2028 season, NFHS (high school baseball) will allow USABat approved bats with a -4, -5 or -6 drop weight. Approved USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6 bats feature the USA Baseball certification mark and accompanying drop weight number on the bat’s taper. This classification establishes an equipment bridge between youth baseball and high school baseball, which has historically required an immediate jump to a BBCOR (-3) bat. This allows developing athletes the opportunity to swing a lighter bat before fully transitioning to a heavier drop weight.

Will players be able to hit a ball harder and further with a USABat -4, USABat-5, or USABat -6 vs. USA BBCOR -3 bat?

A player may be able to swing a lighter USABat faster than a heavier BBCOR bat. However, that player would also have less mass and momentum behind their swing with a lighter weight bat. The science tells us that, all other things being equal, the mass of the bat has a more significant impact on batted-ball speeds than swing speed. So, a player swinging a lighter bat will generally achieve a lower exit velocity than they would with a heavier bat, even if they can swing the bat a bit faster. Both factors matter, but players will hit the hardest when swinging the heaviest bat they can manage.

What are the specifications for a USA BBCOR bat?

All USA BBCOR bats will be held to the same testing procedures, performance limits, and bat specification criteria that exist for the current BBCOR standard. As with current BBCOR bats, USA BBCOR bats must meet a wood-like performance limit, have a barrel diameter no greater that 2 ⅝’’, a drop weight no greater than -3, and a length that does not exceed 36’’.

What are the specifications for a USABat?

All USABats are held to a wood-like performance standard, meaning the bat's coefficient of restitution (or its trampoline effect) mirrors a wood bat. Historically, USABats have been certified with a length less than or equal to 32" and a barrel diameter less than or equal to 2 5/8", with very few exceptions that are not eligible for high school play. Under current standards, no USABats can be manufactured with a length longer than 32”.

Do USABats perform differently than USA BBCOR bats?

No, both USABat and BBCOR create a wood-like bat performance standard for non-wood bats.

Will the performance of BBCOR (USA BBCOR) bats change?

No, the performance and physical specifications of the bats will not change. USA BBCOR bats will be held to the same performance limit as existing BBCOR certified bats.

When will USA BBCOR certified bats be available for purchase?

USA BBCOR bats will be available at retail beginning July 1, 2027. USA BBCOR bats will be eligible for play in the NCAA and high school baseball seasons beginning in 2028.

Do I need to buy a new bat immediately?

No, the following grandfather periods have been implemented for NCAA and NFHS for previously certified BBCOR bats to be used in play.

NCAA: Previously certified BBCOR bats will be eligible for use during a two year grandfather period spanning the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Beginning January 1, 2029, only USA BBCOR bats will be approved for play in NCAA baseball.

High School Baseball - Previously certified BBCOR bats will continue to be eligible for use indefinitely. NFHS has not implemented a cutoff date for previously certified BBCOR bats.

How will I know which bat to buy?

The following list states what USA Baseball certified bats (USABat tee ball, USABat youth, USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6 and USA BBCOR) are permitted at different levels of play. Note approved bats must feature a permanent certification mark on the barrel. Temporary labels, stickers, or decals are prohibited.

• Tee Ball

  • USABat Tee Ball: Tee ball bat with the USA Baseball mark and wording that states ‘Only for Use with Approved Tee Balls’
  • USABat Youth: Youth baseball bats with USA Baseball mark and tampering statement are also permitted for play.

• Youth Baseball

  • USABat Youth: Bats with a USA Baseball mark are approved for play at any drop weight.
  • Some divisions may allow USA BBCOR, but it is not recommended for youth players.

• High School Baseball

  • USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6: Beginning in the 2028 season, bats with a USA Baseball mark and a -4, -5, or -6 drop weight will be permitted for high school play.
  • USA BBCOR: Beginning in the 2028 season, bats with a USA BBCOR .50 mark are permitted.
  • BBCOR: Bats with a BBCOR .50 baseball mark are permitted.High School Baseball

• College Baseball

  • BBCOR: Bats with BBCOR .50 mark are permitted for play through the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
  • USA BBCOR: All bats that bear the USA BBCOR .50 certification mark are permissible for play in NCAA beginning January 1, 2028. Starting January 1, 2029, only USA BBCOR bats will be permitted for play.

Starting July 1, 2027, USA Baseball will host a full list of approved USA BBCOR bats on USABaseball.com and USABat.com.

This chart displays what is permitted vs what is recommended at different levels of play for USABat tee ball, USABat Youth, USABat -4, USABat -5, USABat -6, BBCOR, and USA BBCOR (Beginning in 2028).

How will umpires, coaches, players, and parents know if a bat is legal for play?

Approved non-wood bats shall be labeled with a permanent USA BBCOR certification mark. No sticker or decal will be accepted on any non-wood bat. The certification mark must read: USA Baseball BBCOR Certified .50.

High School Play: Approved non-wood bats shall be labeled with one of the following certification marks. No sticker or decal will be accepted on any non-wood bat. The certification mark must read one of the following statements:

• USA Baseball BBCOR Certified .50
• BBCOR Certified .50
• USA Baseball -4
• USA Baseball -5
• USA Baseball -6

What are the specifications for a USA BBCOR bat?

All USA BBCOR bats will be held to the same testing procedures, performance limits, and bat specification criteria that exist for the current BBCOR standard. As with current BBCOR bats, USA BBCOR bats must meet a wood-like performance limit, have a barrel diameter no greater that 2 ⅝’’, a drop weight no greater than -3, and a length that does not exceed 36’’.

Do USABats perform differently than BBCOR bats?

No, both USABat and BBCOR create a wood-like bat performance standard for non-wood bats.

How is the USA BBCOR standard different from the USABat youth bat standard used by USA Baseball National Member Organizations?

Both the USABat youth and BBCOR bat performance tests are based on the coefficient of restitution from a bat-ball impact. The scale of results is different, however, since they use different test balls and test speeds. The testing difference is necessary to address the various levels of play in the respective age groups. That said, the two standards establish similar performance limits for bats.

"The performance of BBCOR and USABat are nearly identical (within about 0.005 BBCOR). The primary difference between the two standards are that USABat certified bats do not have the -3 drop weight restriction. The lighter USA Baseball [youth] bats are easier to swing (particularly for developing hitters); this can result in higher batting averages, but not higher hit ball speed. USABat also produces slightly lower hit ball speeds than the BBCOR bats.

"The lighter USA Baseball [youth] bats will produce slightly lower hit ball speeds than the BBCOR bats. Since USA Baseball bats can be produced in a -3 drop weight, and would be nearly identical to BBCOR bats, we see no reason why BBCOR and USA Baseball’s bats could not be combined in play for leagues choosing this option. However, we note that mixing BBCOR and USA Baseball bats increases the range of player ability using these bats. Rules ensuring players of comparable ability are on the field will lower the likelihood of an advanced hitter putting an inexperienced pitcher at risk."
— Dr. Lloyd Smith and Dr. Alan Nathan

How are USA BBCOR bats certified?

Bats must undergo performance testing and receive a final approval from USA Baseball to receive USA BBCOR certification. A bat maker’s first step in this process is to produce a bat design sample and submit it to the Washington State University Sports Science Lab (WSU-SSL) for performance testing. Submissions that pass BBCOR performance testing become eligible for certification. To clarify, this means the bat has been performance tested in a controlled lab setting to confirm that it performs at a wood-like standard. The bat maker must then send a sample of the same design to USA Baseball for final approval. USA Baseball’s certification gives the bat maker rights to manufacture and sell approved bats with the USA BBCOR certification mark.