Combat is first out of the gate with a plan for Little League bats affected by the recent ban of composite bats in Little League. Combat has initiated a bat replacement program. Combat states they hope to work with Little League to revise the test as it
Combat Announcement re: LLB Moratorium on Youth Composite Bats
Combat Sports Inc., and our affiliated companies, have been designing, manufacturing and selling composite baseball and softball bats since 1998. Our current line-up has composite models in every category of play (from t-ball through all levels of baseball, all levels of fast-pitch and all levels of slow-pitch including senior slow-pitch) and we work very closely with the majority of Associations’ that govern play at every level. Further, Combat Sports respects all Associations’ rights to specify both the bat performance standard and bat test protocol and to change such as determined by those associations. However, with the exception of proven safety concerns, we also believe that any such change should include reasonable “grandfathering” of previously contractually approved bat models in order to prevent undue financial impact to player families, stores and manufacturers.
With regards to the current moratorium imposed by LLB on youth small barrel baseball bats, Combat Sports first received the new test protocol to be used to gain a moratorium waiver on the 14 January 2011. In our opinion, the new protocol represents a significant contractual change and (as reported elsewhere) involves extreme lab rolling. Our opinion is that this new protocol does not ensure that bats that pass will continue to meet BPF 1.15 during normal field use, nor does it ensure that bats that fail would not continue to meet BPF 1.15 during normal field use. Rather, failing the test protocol simply means that such a bat severely rolled exceeds the BPF standard. We have communicated this belief to the various youth associations and will continue to offer constructive inputs to improve the youth bat test protocol.
Important Note: All Combat composite youth bats (small barrel) remain legal for play in the following Associations: Babe Ruth Baseball (including Cal Ripken), Dixie Youth Baseball, Pony Baseball, USSSA, Super Series, etc.
With regards to the current moratorium waiver process, Combat has decided not to submit any further bat models until we have had the opportunity for the Associations’ involved to consider our concerns and constructive inputs regarding the new test protocol. We understand that this decision does not immediately help you, our valued customers, but we believe it is in the best long term interests of the baseball industry.
Shorter term, while unfortunate, accepting returns of all Combat bats impacted by LLB’s moratorium would seriously impact Combat’s ongoing business viability which is not an option.
Additionally, the following has been for a number of years Combat’s publicly stated policy regarding Association bat standard changes:
COMBAT STRIVES TO ENGINEER ITS SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL BATS TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT STANDARDS KNOWN BY VARIOUS GOVERNING ASSOCIATIONS. HOWEVER, COM BAT CANNOT CONTROL CHANGES IN THESE STANDARDS OR THE TESTING PROCEDURES EMPLOYED TO CHECK COM PLIANCE WITH THESE STANDARDS. AS SUCH, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT OUR BATS WILL REMAIN CERTIFIED AFTER ANY ASSOCIATION MAKES CHANGES TO ITS CERTIFICATION STANDARDS AND/OR PROCEDURES. COM BAT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BAN IMPOSED ON THE BAT BY ANY ASSOCIATION.
Having considered the above information, and notwithstanding our stated policy above, the following Combat relief plan is designed to lessen undue financial hardship on most of our valued customers:
If you have purchased a Combat bat that is affected by this moratorium (since January 1st ,2010 and that bat has not already been replaced by warranty) we will replace it for any brand new Combat model of your choice for $100 (SUBJECT TO PRODUCT AVAILABILITY). This offer is open to all Combat models including any Baseball, Fastpitch or Slowpitch bat as well as any Hockey stick or Lacrosse shaft of your choice. Your new bat will be shipped to you prepaid and carry a brand new one year warranty. You MUST send in with the returned bat, the original receipt from an authorized dealer in order to process this order. This offer will remain open until May 1st, 2011.
In addition, we will send you a $50 gift certificate that will be good until June 1st, 2012 on any future Combat bat purchase through our online shopping cart. Full details will be provided with your returned bat package.
Exchange Process:
Please call the number below or email for an RA number, and provide us with the following information – new bat request, your full name, address, phone number, email address and place of purchase – we will then send you an email confirmation with this RA number. Please allow 2 to 3 days response time based on anticipated volume of calls / emails.
Once we receive your returned bat (along with valid receipt) your order will be processed and sent to you directly via UPS. Please understand that we will do our very best to ship your replacement bat in a timely manner and we will advise you as best we can of the estimated delivery date once we receive your returned bat. Confirmed turnaround times are impossible to predict without knowing how many bats we will be replacing. This will be our highest priority and we will do our best to move this process along as quickly as possible.
United States: 1 866 266 2287 or email returns@combatsportsgroup.com
OR
Canada: 1 866 904 2287 or email returns@combatsportsgroup.ca
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers for their understanding and
continued support during these difficult times
Sincerely,
The Combat Management Team.
