Composite Bats

Last night CIF announced on it’s website that baseball bats used in high school in California must follow the new BBCOR Bat Certification Standard.  Based on what we have seen, BBCOR bat availability will be very low.  Many bat makers are backordered until March and April on BBCOR bats.  Our sources tell us many High School players in California may be stuck swinging wood baseball bats if they don’t pick up a BBCOR bat soon.

CIF Will Require Non-Wood BBCOR Approved Baseball Bats for the 2010-2011 Season

Information available as of December 29, 2010 indicates non-wood baseball bats that have been BBCOR certified will be commercially available starting January 1, 2011.

Some  stores already have non-wood BBCOR bats for sale.  All non-wood BBCOR approved bats will have the BBCOR stamp affixed to the bat.

What is BBCOR? Pull out your PHD and start reading.  It is a extremely complicated, exhaustively wordy new standard for testing baseball bats for High School and College Baseball players.

NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STANDARD FOR TESTING BASEBALL BAT PERFORMANCE
BAT-BALL COEFFICIENT OF RESTITUTION
May 21, 2009
The following protocol has been adopted by the NCAA and must be followed when baseball bats are submitted for BBCOR certification. To be used in NCAA competition, all bats must meet the BBCOR standard, effective January 1, 2011. This protocol has been adopted as an addendum to the NCAA baseball rules and does not supersede the rules.
This certification protocol follows ASTM standards where applicable. (http://www.ASTM.org)
Initial Written Notification
To initiate the certification process for all baseball bats that are constructed with materials other than one-piece solid wood, an interested bat manufacturer must send one of the NCAA Certification Centers written notice of its intent to request certification testing on specific models it deems appropriate for testing. This notice, in turn, will be forwarded to the NCAA. This notice of intent must contain a detailed description of all models to be used in NCAA competition, the date of first production, the model number, the bat length and weight combinations of each model to be manufactured, the maximum diameter, the minimum handle diameter, location of the center of gravity (balance point) as measured relative to the tip of the barrel, the nominal wall thickness of the barrel and of any other part of the bat with a wall thickness that differs from the barrel, the ultrasonic setting used to determine wall thickness, and the materials (e.g., alloys, composites, any filling or deadening materials) used to make the product (including, without limitation, any materials used inside the bat and the materials composing and/or contained in the bat’s end cap). Such information will not be confidential and will be available on request. In addition a digital photograph of each model to be certified, showing all graphics that will appear in the final version, will be provided to the NCAA. At that time, a request number, e.g., NCAA-09-0001, will be assigned to the bat by the Certification Center and only those bat models so registered will be cleared for testing. This written notice can be completed in communication with the Certification Center.
Indemnification
By registering a bat, the registering party agrees to indemnify the NCAA (and any other governing body that recognizes BBCOR bats as meeting its bat performance standard), and the appropriate Certification Center for any legal actions resulting from the bat so registered.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Certification Process
The NCAA requires that a manufacturer supply a minimum of two typical bats of every length class (per Table 1), weight class (per Table 2), and model combination for certification to one of the NCAA’s Certification Centers. The Certification Center will conduct the certification tests as stated in the testing protocol on one of the bats for each length, weight and model. All bats which are sold or otherwise provided for NCAA play by the manufacturer must meet the specifications of the new standard in order to be certified for NCAA competition. If approved, the NCAA will provide written confirmation for each approved bat. No bat will be tested for official NCAA certification without first being registered. Registered bats will be tested for compliance in the order that they are received by the appropriate Certification Center.
Table 1. Length Classes for Bats
Length Class
(plus or minus range, in inches)
29.0 -0.25/+0.24
29.5 -0.25/+0.24
30.0 -0.25/+0.24
30.5 -0.25/+0.24
31.0 -0.25/+0.24
31.5 -0.25/+0.24
32.0 -0.25/+0.24
32.5 -0.25/+0.24
33.0 -0.25/+0.24
33.5 -0.25/+0.24
34.0 -0.25/+0.24
34.5 -0.25/+0.24
35.0 -0.25/+0.24
35.5 -0.25/+0.24
36.0 -0.25/+0.24
Table 2. Weight Classes for Bats Without Grip
Weight Class
[Unit difference, weight (oz) minus length (in.)]
-3 → -3.000 to -2.100
-2 → -2.095 to -1.100
-1 → -1.095 to -0.100
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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A mandatory silk-screen or other permanent certification mark, to be determined by the NCAA, must be clearly displayed on the barrel end of the BBCOR baseball bat. This process will be announced in the final version of the protocol. The manufacturer may use the certification mark in descriptive materials (such as catalogs) to identify bats that comply with this testing standard, but may not make other use of the mark. Use of the certification mark to advertise or promote the sale or distribution of bats is expressly prohibited. This certification mark does not need to be on the bat submitted for BBCOR certification testing.
In the event that all bats submitted for testing become damaged and/or unusable for testing, the manufacturer will be notified by the Certification Center and requested to submit at least two more bats for certification. The certification of that length, weight and model combination will then go to the next open position in the certification queue, i.e., end of the line, upon receipt of the new bats.
All bats may be returned at the expense of the manufacturer except for the tested bat that showed the model/length/weight combination to be in compliance with the NCAA standard and one untested bat for record-keeping purposes. Bats that are returned to the manufacturer cannot be resubmitted for certification. The retained bats will be stored in a secure area and only Certification Center personnel will have access to the area. The manufacturer will be assured by the NCAA that the design of its bat is protected.
Test Results
The Certification Center will provide the NCAA in writing with the test results of each length and weight combination for each model submitted by the manufacturer for certification. The NCAA will then forward the test results to the manufacturer. If a bat is submitted for testing by a sponsor other than the manufacturer, the Certification Center will provide the test results in writing to the NCAA, and the NCAA will forward those results to the sponsoring party. If a bat submitted by a sponsor other than the manufacturer fails the certification test, copies of the test results will also be provided in writing to the manufacturer.
Upon request, copies of all data for every hit will be supplied in confidence to the NCAA and to the test sponsor. If a bat that has been submitted for testing by a sponsor other than the manufacturer fails the certification test, copies of all data files will also be supplied to the manufacturer upon request. The original data will be filed in digital form at the Certification Center and in digital form at an off-site location. The test data belong to each test sponsor (and the manufacturer, if the test sponsor is not the manufacturer and the bat fails the certification test) for internal purposes only and will be kept confidential by the Certification Center and the NCAA unless otherwise provided herein. The NCAA will retain the right to announce publicly that a bat has failed the certification or compliance test.
Manufacturers may, at their discretion, disclose the results, including test data, of testing on bats that they have manufactured. If a manufacturer discloses such information, however, the NCAA may make any additional disclosure of information from the same test that it deems appropriate.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Testing Expenses
All of the expenses to conduct the testing at the Certification Center will be funded by the manufacturer or test sponsor for which certification testing will be conducted. All manufacturers should work directly with the appropriate Certification Center regarding the testing expenses.
Proof of Certification
Only baseball bats that display an official NCAA certification mark on the bat signifying compliance with the NCAA’s bat performance standard are allowed in regular-season and post-season competition. Solid bats constructed from a single piece of wood are allowed for NCAA competition without being tested for NCAA bat standard compliance.
Compliance with the Performance Standard
The NCAA will conduct discretionary periodic testing of certified baseball bats at its expense to ensure compliance with the standard. This testing is intended to fairly sample the bats used in NCAA play at the time of the testing. Bats may be obtained from dealer stock and/or field service. Teams that provide field-service bats for compliance testing will be reimbursed by the NCAA for the costs of those bats. If any nonconforming bats are identified, the NCAA will notify the manufacturer in writing of its findings. A bat length, weight and model combination will not be declared nonconforming unless three different bats with that length, weight and model combination have failed the compliance testing. The manufacturer will be given the opportunity to review the compliance report and will be allowed an appeal in writing of the findings to the NCAA within fourteen (14) days upon receipt of the notice of findings. This right to appeal will include a right to retest the bat or bats in question at the manufacturer’s expense and the results of any retest will be provided to the NCAA who will, in turn, forward the results to the manufacturer. Once any retesting is complete, the rules committee will act on the appeal and notify the manufacturer of its decision within seven (7) days. The NCAA reserves the right to perform compliance testing at the Certification Center and/or other independent laboratories at its discretion.
Manufacturer Right to Submit a Competitor’s Bat for Compliance
Manufacturer A is permitted to submit Manufacturer B’s bat for testing in accordance with the section above titled Compliance with the Performance Standard, and Manufacturer A pays for all of the testing associated with the compliance investigation regardless of the outcome. If Manufacturer B’s bat does not comply, then the Certification Center will notify the NCAA, and the NCAA will take appropriate steps for noncompliance as described above. The same appeal procedures as described above will apply in this circumstance, and the test sponsor will be entitled to the results of any retest and appeal. The results of the test (including all test data) will be shared with the NCAA and the test sponsor (Manufacturer A) in the manner described above. If the bat fails the compliance test, the test results will also be shared with the Manufacturer B. The compliance bat must be officially registered before any compliance testing can commence at the Certification Center. This registration can be done through the Certification Center. At that time, a request number, e.g., NCAA-C-09-0001, will be assigned to the bat by the Certification
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Center and only those bat models so registered will be cleared for compliance testing. A copy of this registration will be forwarded to the NCAA.
Penalty for Modification of Bat after It Leaves the OEM
A manufacturer will not be held responsible for noncompliance in the event that an aftermarket party alters the bat in any manner. The NCAA will deal directly with the team that collaborated with the aftermarket party. The manufacturer should make a best effort to produce a tamperproof bat, e.g., no screw-off end cap.
Testing Protocol
This protocol is based on ASTM F2219, Standard Test Methods for Measuring High-Speed Bat Performance. (http://www.ASTM.org)
Bat Preparation Procedures
1. Record model and measure and record Length (L) in inches and Weight (W) in ounces.
2. Draw circumferential lines at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in. from the tip of the barrel and a longitudinal axis line; measure and record the diameter at these locations.
3. Mark a line 4 in. from the base of the knob and attach clamp to ensure rotation about 6 in. from the base of the knob.
4. Measure and record Weight Moment of Inertia relative to the pivot location (I), Weight, and Balance Point relative to the knob (BP) according to ASTM F2398, Test Method for Measuring Moment of Inertia and Center of Percussion of a Baseball or Softball Bat.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Minimum MOI Rule
The baseball bat must have an MOI about the point 6 inches from the base of the knob greater than or equal to the value identified in Table 3 for the associated length class.
Table 3. Minimum Allowable Moment of Inertia (I) for Associated Length Class
Length (in.)
I
(oz-in.2)
29.0
5407
29.5
5725
30.0
6064
30.5
6424
31.0
6805
31.5
7207
32.0
7630
32.5
8073
33.0
8538
33.5
9024
34.0
9530
34.5
10058
35.0
10607
35.5
11176
36.0
11767
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Testing System
Ball Cannon:
The device must have a muzzle velocity of at least 150 mph. The ball will not have a spin rate in excess of 10 rpm. Cannon exhaust air must not cause motion of the bat in the absence of an impact. The ball cannon can be any distance from the impact location, as long as it can meet the ball aim requirements. (ASTM F2219-05, 5.2.1)
Ball Speed Gate: A light trap device, or an equivalent, is required that can measure a sphere traveling in excess of 150 mph with an accuracy of 1.5 mph. The device will measure across a length of no less than half the ball diameter to avoid centering error. The first sensor will trigger when the incoming ball is no more than 18 in. from the bat surface. A second sensor will be located 6 in. from the first sensor in the direction of the bat, and a third sensor will be located 6 in. from the second sensor in the direction of the bat. The distance between the sensors must be maintained within +/- 0.005 in. Light sensors 1 and 3 will be those identified in ASTM F2219-05, 5.2.2. The device must also be able to measure the ball rebound speed using the same sensors. This requires the device to reset and to arm quickly enough to capture the ball traveling back through the speed gates. The data acquisition software will calculate the ball speed from each pair of sensors: 1 and 2, 1 and 3, and 2 and 3.
Bat Pivot Support: The bat pivot support shall conform to ASTM F2219.
Baseball Preparation
The baseballs used in testing shall be the official NCAA championship baseball and will have a mass of 145.4±2.0 g. Each ball shall be impacted at a speed of 136±2 mph at the 6-in. location (as measured from the tip of the barrel) of the Standard Bat1 for one valid impact. The BBCOR, e, associated with this one valid impact shall be calculated to three decimal places using Eqs. 1 and 2.
()1RIverrv=++ (1)
where, −−−−+=22)6()(1BPWIzBPLWmr (2)
and where, m is the mass of the ball in ounces; vI (sensors 1 to 3 measurement) and vR (sensors 3 to 1 measurement) are the ball inbound and rebound speeds, respectively; z, measured in inches from the barrel end of the bat and the other variables are properties of the bat obtained during the
1 Standard Bats are calibrated to a known reference performance and are only available from the Certification Center.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Bat Preparation Procedures. The correction factor, Cball, for each baseball is given by Eq. 3 and the value and date will be recorded on the baseball.
Cball = 0.528 – e (3)
Bat Testing Procedure
• Mount the bat into the grip such that the proximal end of the knob is 6 in. from the axis of rotation. The grip material may consist of a compliant material placed between the vee clamps and the bat to allow for the rotation of the bat in the grip between hits. The grip material will be uniform from test to test.
• Select a baseball from the lot which has fewer than 20 previous impacts and which has not already been used within the hour. Measure the weight to ensure that it is in the acceptable range (145.4±2.0g.), and record the weight and the date on the ball. Then mark the ball with and “x” on the side of the ball that is to be impacted. No ball shall be impacted more than five (5) times per ear.
• Load the selected test ball in ball cannon. Load the ball so that its impact with the bat will occur between the stitches of the ball and on the side that the “x” was marked.
• The ball impact must be centered vertically and horizontally on the bat diameter at the desired impact location z, measured in inches from the barrel end of the bat.
• Set the ball cannon to fire the ball at the desired impact speed of VContact ± 2 mph into the bat that is at rest until impact as calculated using Eq. 4 for each impact location z, measured in inches from the barrel end of the bat. ()Contact666 mph70 mph12LzVL−−=+− (4)
• Verify proper bat alignment by observing the rebound path of the ball after impact with the bat. The ball should rebound directly back towards the cannon, retracing its impact trajectory within ±5o. (ASTM F2219)
• A valid hit will require the inbound-speed measurements from sensors 1-2 and 2-3 to differ by no more than 2 mph, and similarly, the rebound-speed measurements of sensors 3-2 and 2-1 to differ by no more than 1 mph.
• All bat axial positions are measured with respect to the distance from the tip of the barrel. Raw data inbound and rebound speeds are to be recorded with testing to commence at the 6.0-in. position. Bat profiling will continue with hits at the 5.0-in., then the 7.0-in. positions. The testing will continue with hits at additional points using 0.5-in. and/or 1.0-in. increments at the discretion of the certification personnel until the sweet-spot location is isolated.
• Six (6) consecutive valid impacts are to be recorded at each of the bat-axis impact locations. Consecutive valid readings will be determined without regard to any interspersed invalid readings; thus, for example, four valid readings, followed by an invalid reading, followed by two valid readings will be considered six consecutive valid readings. The total number of hits may vary from bat to bat.
• Bats will be impacted appropriate to their intended use in the field. For example, non-wood bats with a traditional design will be rotated in 1/4- or 3/8-turns or randomly prior
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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to each hit to ensure quasi-even exposure to impacts. Wood bats will be rotated 180o prior to each hit or not rotated at all according to standard wood-bat usage, i.e., label up and label down. Bats that are designed to have a specified hitting area such that the same side of the bat always faces the pitcher will not be rotated.
• The NCAA reserves the right to impact other rotations/locations.
• Alignment of the bat will be checked before each hit.
Performance Calculations
Bat performance is specified by using the BBCOR (Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution), which is calculated using the inbound and rebound speeds of the ball: ()1RballIvBBCORrrCv=+++ (5)
where vI (sensors 1 to 3 measurement) and vR (sensors 3 to 1 measurement) are the ball inbound and rebound speeds, respectively, r is calculated using Eq. 2, and Cball is the measured correction factor for each baseball given in Eq. 3.
The BBCOR will be the average of six (6) valid hits at the maximum BBCOR location. If at any time during the certification process, the average of six (6) valid hits at an impact location exceeds the limiting BBCOR, then testing is halted and the bat is noncompliant for NCAA competition. Prior to completion, the test sponsor may exercise the option to continue the test. 2
2 Prior to completion, the test sponsor may exercise the option to continue the test.
• The test sponsor is responsible for the costs associated with this full scan;
• All BBCOR data will be submitted to the NCAA as part of the certification report; and
• The overall maximum BBCOR will be cited in the report as the failure value—not the first location found to be noncompliant with respect to the BBCOR criterion.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Maximum BBCOR Rule
The baseball bat must have a BBCOR less than or equal to 0.500.
Length-to-Weight Unit Differential
The length-to-weight unit differential of each non-wood bat cannot exceed three (3.000) units without the grip. Each length-class and weight-class combination of a particular model must be certified for compliance.
Bat Surface
The surface of the bat tested for certification must be the same as that of the production bat model which it represents and may exclude graphics.
Bat Diameter
The barrel diameter will be no greater than 2.625 in. A bat ring, 1-in. long and greater than ¼-in. thick with a maximum interior diameter of 2.657 +0.001/-0.005 in. must pass completely over the length of each bat prior to and after each hit or the bat will be noncompliant and testing will be halted. The test may be continued at the request and expense of the test sponsor.
Conditioning
Baseballs will be stored in the environmental conditions of 72±4 ºF and 50±10% relative humidity until their weight change over a 24-hour period is less than 0.1% before being used for testing. The baseballs will continue to be stored at these environmental conditions during their useful life for testing. Wood bats will be stored in these same environmental conditions for at least 24 hours prior to testing. Non-wood bats will be stored at these conditions for at least two hours prior to testing. Testing will take place in an environmentally controlled room with a temperature of 72±4 ºF and a relative humidity between 20 and 60%. (ASTM F2219.)
External Observers
Manufacturer attendance is optional. Outside observers representing the organization that submitted the bat for testing may be present, but must follow the directions of the certification operators.
NCAA Standard for Testing
Baseball Bat Performance
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Summary of Pass-Fail Criteria
1. The bat must meet the size and weight specifications.
2. There are no tolerances for length-weight differences (no greater than three units without the grip) or for maximum barrel diameter.
3. The bat must have an MOI (6 in. from the base of the knob) greater than or equal to the minimum allowable for the bat’s length class.
4. The bat ring must pass over the entire length of the bat before and after every hit.
5. The BBCOR, as determined from an average of six (6) consecutive valid hits at the maximum BBCOR location described above, must not exceed 0.500.
Cosmetic Changes
Model numbers of certified bats may be changed by the manufacturer. For the new model to be entered on the list of certified bats, the manufacturer must register the new bat model and submit the new graphics digitally. This written notice can be completed by registering with the Certification Center.
Additional Testing
The NCAA and its testing agencies reserve the right to conduct additional testing on any bat submitted for testing at the expense of the NCAA or the testing agency.
Revisions
The NCAA will revise the protocol as needed and reserves the right to change the test equipment, test location and the testing personnel. The NCAA will announce in a timely manner any future changes to the rules or protocol as well as any amendments to the protocol.