News and Announcements
Potential Composite Bat Moratorium for Little League Majors Division and below
The following message was received by Little League International:
November 29, 2010
Dear Little League Parents and Volunteers, With the holiday shopping season upon us, we want to remind all that we are in the midst of a research effort with the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) to determine whether or not a moratorium will be placed on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats in the Little League Majors Division and below. We have already placed a moratorium on composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior League Baseball, and Big League Baseball Divisions.
We anticipate making a decision on the use of composite 2¼-inch barreled baseball bats by Jan. 1, 2011, as promised in earlier communications on this subject.
Information on the moratorium on composite bats in the Junior League Baseball, Senior League Baseball, and Big League Baseball Divisions, as well as information on specific models of composite bats that have received a waiver of that moratorium, can be found here: http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2010/Sep-Dec/StatementFromLLCompositeBats.htm
We encourage local league officials to provide this message to parents and volunteers in the local league.
Sincerely,
Little League International
Moratorium on Composite Bats in the Junior-Senior League Baseball
September 1, 2010
TO: Local Little League Presidents, District Administrators, and Regional Field Staff
FROM: Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations, Little League International
RE: Moratorium on Composite Bats in the Junior League, Senior League, and Big League Divisions of Baseball
A moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League was enacted on Aug. 27, 2010, by the Little League International Board of Directors, effective immediately. The moratorium shall be in effect until further notice by Little League International.
The moratorium covers all games and practices only in the three divisions referenced above. It closely follows a similar moratorium approved in July 2010 by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), based on a recommendation from its Baseball Rules Committee. The NFHS Board enacted a rule to prohibit the use of composite bats until they can produce consistent compliance with the standards through the life of the bat.
Waivers of the moratorium may be considered by Little League International in certain circumstances. For 2011, a manufacturer may apply for a waiver of the moratorium for a particular model of composite bat if all of the requirements for a waiver, as established by Little League International, are satisfied. Composite bats that are certified by an approved independent testing laboratory as meeting the current Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR), and the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) procedure, will be eligible for the waiver in 2011. Little League International will provide a list of bat models, if any, that receive waivers of the moratorium.
Not covered under the Little League moratorium are wood bats, metal bats, or bats that have composite materials in the handle only. A composite bat is one that has a metal shell, but a woven composite of fibers on the inside of the barrel portion of the bat.
Currently, the moratorium on composite bats does not apply to the Little League Baseball (Majors) Division and below, nor does it apply to any division of softball. Little League International, in consultation with independent experts, anticipates being able to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats in the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, prior to the start of the 2011 season.
Sincerely,
Patrick W. Wilson
Vice President of Operations
The HLL Board has clarified the Curfew Policy:
Junior-Senior Division: With the exception of playoff games, each game played in the Junior-Senior League has a two and one half (2.5) hour time limit from the schedule start.
Boys and Girls Major League: During school nights (Mon - Thurs), a Major League game cannot start an inning after 10:00 PM. On Friday and Saturday, a Major League game cannot start an inning after 10:30 PM.
Boys Single A, Boys Triple A and Girls Minor League: Minor League games are scheduled to start prior to 6:00 PM. If a Minor League game is playing on a field where a Major League game is scheduled to start after the Minor League game, the Minor League game cannot start an inning after 7:30 PM. Further, the Minor League game must end on or before 7:40 PM, so that the Major League game can be started by 8:00 PM.
