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Illegal Baseball Bats as of 2/18/2021 |
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Year | League | Brand | Model | Amazon |
2017 | USSSA | DeMarini | 2 3/4 Drop 10 (blue/white)* | See It |
2017 | USSSA | DeMarini | 2 5/8 Drop 8 (green/white)* | See It |
2018 | USA Bats | Easton | Ghost X 30-inch | See It |
2020 | BBCOR | Slugger Meta 33 | 33-inch | See It |
2018 | USSSA | Dirty South Bats | KAMO (**Sizes) | |
BBCOR | Mattingly | Balistk | Check | |
BBCOR | Nike | CX2 | Check | |
BBCOR | Slugger | TPX Dynasty | Check | |
BBCOR | Marucci | CAT 5^2 | Check | |
BBCOR | Reebok | TLS | Check | |
BBCOR | Marucci | Black | Check |
*The 2017 CF Zen USSSA lost its 1.15 certification in all sizes and lengths of the drop 10 2 3/4 (blue and white) and drop 8 (green and white). As well, the bats zero dark thirty and custom versions are also decertified. Serial numbers that start with: WTDXCBR & WTDXCBZ.
**The DSB KAMO lost its 1.15 certification in the 31 and 32 drop 10 (so 31/21 & 32/22) as well as the 30, 31, and 32 drop 8 (30/22, 31/23, 32/24).
After a huge amount of clamor, USSSA decided that the 2018 CF Zen is now re-LEGAL for play. They are removed from the banned list. We have updated the information below. You can find insight/return information via DeMarini here.
Updated 6/6/2018
After their first further consideration, all sizes in the CBZ drop 10 DeMarini 2018 CF Zen are LEGAL for play.
Updated: 5/4/2018
USSSA adds the 28, 29, and 30-inch 2018 CF Zen to the banned list, including the 31 and 32 of the same bat. They also clarify the 2018 Ghost X USA will NOT be allowed in USSSA games.
You can read about the CF Zen’s legal problems in more detail here.
Updated: 5/3/2018
USA Baseball decertified (made illegal) the USA Easton Ghost X bat in a 30-inch drop 10 in the 30/20 on 5/3/2018.
From what we’ve read on social media, Easton is offering a $500 voucher on their website for the return of a legitimately purchased USA Ghost X.
Return questions via Easton can be directed to Easton via email at ghostreturn@easton.com or 1-844-531-7079.
More information can be found on USA bats decertified bats page.
Also…
The USSSA announced on 4/12/2018 at 4 pm PST that the Dirty South KAMO with serial number BB KA 8 is illegal for play in the following sizes: two drop 10’s and three drop 8’s (30/22 31/21 32/22 31/23 32/24).
The DSB KAMO (BB KA 8) has been withdrawn from USSSA play. This means, in not so many words, the bat is now banned for play. This includes the 30/22 31/21 32/22 31/23 32/24.
All the people saying Dirty South bats were hot were, clearly, right. A little too much so.
We are sure it is a massive headache to deal with, but they might take some solace in knowing they are in good company for what it’s worth. They don’t make crappy bats illegal. (See our DSB Made USA Bat Review. This one is perfectly legal). And, we should note, several of the KAMO’s are still permitted.
Are they (DSB) going to be able to withstand the capital and inventory issues associated with getting a marquee bat of theirs recalled? If they can, expect them to get a long term bump (akin to Anderson and the Techzilla).
These bats are the banned KAMOs (including three drop 8’s and two drop 10’s).
With the recent, and rather high profile, “temporary” decertification of the 2 3/4 DeMarini CF Zen drop 10, we wondered what other bats have been de-certified over the years. It is not easy to find such a list. Likely, we have decided, because there have not been many baseball bats over the years that have been banned. Slowpitch softball has seen the worst offenders—with at least a dozen bats getting banned over the years. In the baseball space, we have found only three in the last, five and we have yet to find a fastpitch bat to get the boot.
A couple of sites had a good list of softball bats that have been banned over the years. It does not look to be updated very recently but was useful nonetheless. As well, SFsoftball has a similar list.
On the baseball side, one league site has at least some information on what bats are banned. The Texas Association of Sports Officials appears to be keeping at least some tabs on what bats are illegal.
Although it does not tell you what bats are decertified, the WSU site tells you what bats may have been initially certified.
To become certified, a bat must pass a particular standard set by the governing body. An independent sports science lab performs these tests at a major university. If the bat passes, then it is eligible to carry the stamping of the association.
However, throughout the year, governing bodies randomly test bats. Picture it much like random drug testing at the Olympics. These governing bodies can buy the bats directly on the shelf or take them from tournaments directly. They are sent to the lab and then tested.
If a bat does not pass, it is removed from play and becomes “decertified.”
Although likely others, we can find three bats that have lost their certification over the last few years in the baseball space. They include the CF ZEN 2 3/4 Drop 10, the Marucci CAT 5-squared in 32 and 33 BBCOR, and the Reebok TLS. Those three lost their certification in both high school and collegiate play. The Marucci Black 33 and 34-inch bat lost its accreditation for NCAA play only.
Trying to make a play on the scene, the Mattingly brand of bats produced a super hot stick in the Balistk. Apparently, too hot. Mattingly bats never quite took hold, and, as of today, they’ve yet to produce a new bat in years.
A few years back, Nike made a serious run at the baseball bat space. However, the CX2 losing its certification appeared to mark the beginning of the end for the Nike Bat experiment.
Find one on eBay.
Holding the distinct honor as the only drop 12 bats to lose its certification, Louisville Slugger’s 2012 Dynasty was one of the very first BPF bats to be banned.
As the only non-BBCOR bat on the list, the CF ZEN 2 3/4 was a dynamite bat that people raved about. It did have some durability concerns, but people still bought the bat in droves as it gave little Timmy’s across the universe chances to hit it into the stratosphere.
Find a CF Zen 2 3/4 Drop 10 on eBay.
The CAT 5^2 (5-Squared) in BBCOR was a beastly bomb dropper known for killing balls. It put Marucci on the map but also got de-certified after folks found it too hot to handle. But, it’s still legal in a 32 and it is a AMAZING.
Most were not aware Reebok made a baseball bat. Indeed, the TLS was legit. But it became decertified, and Reebok never quite recovered in the bat space. The BBCOR 33 inch was banned in both high school and collegiate play.
The Marucci Black bat has the distinct honor of getting banned by the NCAA but not by the NFHS. That is, the college said you’re out while high school told you’re safe. A strange turn of events and we don’t quite follow how that could happen, considering both leagues use the same standard. Nonetheless, there it is.
The list of unlawful softball bats is longer than we care to write about. Or, frankly, you should care to read about. As an example, let us picture the ASA bats that have been decertified up until 2014 only.
Updated February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
By Brian Duryea | @BatDigest
I have a daughter playing NAIA softball, she swings the DeMarini CFS-21 drop 11 and it is not on the December 2021 NCAA legal bat lists for 2022 season . Is this correct or misprint? Who would know or how do I find out for sure ?
Is Marucci CAT9 Connect Pastime USSSA Bat 2021 (-10) legal for 10U?
Yep.
Is the 2022 DeMarini CF (-3) bbcor baseball bat legal
Yes.
My daughter has an AXE avenger. She is 12U softball is that legal?
Yep. Assuming its an Axe Avenge Fastpitch bat (and not baseball). You should be good to go.
Is the Easton Z2K original illegal?
No.
Trying to see if this hat is legal or illegal in Perfect Game 14 u tournaments. LOUISVILLE SLUGGER SOLO BBCOR .50 31-28
It depends on the tournament for PG. Many are wood bat only, but they still allow metal/composite BBCOR bats at several others.
But, if they allow composite/alloy bats then the Solo BBCOR will be perfectly legal.
https://www.perfectgame.org/events/tournaments/rules.aspx?event=20610
Why is the 2020 33” Meta banned? And is it only the 33” and why?
Hey Mike, They retested the bats after, we only imagine, they received complaints about the bat. When they did that, the bat failed the test on the second round of testing. Why? No explanation was ever given.
I was wondering is the 2020 meta prime 32/29 banned in high-school baseball? Is it just the 33 inch bat or all of them
It is just the 33-inch. The 31, 32 and 34-inch 2020 Meta are still legal.
From what I’ve seen on different sites there seems to be some confusion as to specifically which Demarini (green/white) cf zens are still legal for USSA play.
So I’m hoping you could be the final word as to whether/not the “Demarini CBX-17 CF Zen 32/22 USSSA 2-5/8” Barrel” is legal for USSA???
Thank you for all your hard work, as I always tell everyone—“if you have any questions…batdigest.com will have your answer!”
Thanks Etienne!
The CBX-17 drop 10 is LEGAL. (Drop 8, not legal). (I assume we’re talking about the green and white one).
You can see more on the CF fiasco and legal/illegal story here: https://www.batdigest.com/blog/cf-zen-illegal/
Anyone have an opinion of the Louisville Prime 917? Legal or not? Has the USSSA stamp….got a used 30 -10 because my son broke his yesterday and we have training camp and 6 games this week and can’t wait for his replacement bat to come in
The 917 Prime is legal. Very legal. Still a good bat too.
We ended up purchasing it used and he has been doing verywell with it!
Awesome!
Is the USSSA Combat B2 da bomb 28/18 legal?
Yes. As far as we know. That was a favorite (the blue one, right?)
what abt Easton Mako
It’s legal.
Is the 2015 easton xl1 legal for hs
Yes. It is legal.
Is the Maruci Cat 9 composite -5 illegal for highschool use.
It isn’t illegal per se as it is just not approved. High school bats must be BBCOR and all BBCOR bats are drop 3. So, a drop 5 Marucci CAT 5 Composite would be a USSSA bat and therefore not approved for BBCOR. Hope that helps, thanks.
Thanks. Glad I didn’t buy it yet then.
Brian, thanks for all of your hard work on figuring this stuff out! The bat game is like a nuclear arms race these days…thereby making you The Nuclear Weapons Expert!!!???
Recently, someone from my sons team (9u/following USSSA guidelines) told me his “2021 Marucci CAT9 Connect Drop 10 USSSA 30″/20oz CAT 9 -10 Baseball Bat” is illegal…is that accurate???
Thank you!
Thanks Bodhi,
No. That bat is legal for USSSA baseball. Not sure where he might be getting that information. ?
Is the goods DeMarini good
Yes.
Is the 2021 Louisville LXT 33 drop 11 Fastpitch bat illegal? I herd it wasn’t NCAA approved.
Hmmm. We have not heard that and we usually would hear that if it was the case. If you find something or have a link please let us know. The NCAA usually does a really good job of announcing when stuff like that happens.
Is the Voodoo insane v-19 legal for high school use?
Yep.
So is the demarini cf8 still legal for USSSA tournaments?
Yes. CF8 still legal for USSSA.
I just purchased a 2017 CBX 17 Demarini CF drop 10. Is this bat currently legal in USSSA (UTrip)
The green and white 2 5/8 Zen from 2017 in a drop 10 is legal. The drop 8 is illegal as well as the 2 3/4 drop 10 (blue and white one). This page might be helpful.
https://www.batdigest.com/blog/cf-zen-illegal/
To be clear this the CBX 17 5/8 barrel not the 3/4. Wasn’t it the 3/4 bats that were banned?
Hey,
Sorry. We were confusing. You are correct. Here is the page that answers your question. The drop 10 2017 green/white one is legal. It is the drop 8 that is not legal.
https://www.batdigest.com/blog/cf-zen-illegal/
Thank you for taking time out to clarify
Can you use a usssa 1.5 for fast pitch softball?
No. (At least, not in any league we’ve ever heard of) 1.15 Bats are baseball bats that have a 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 barrel. Fastpitch bats have a 1.20 USSSA stamp and are 2 1/4 barrel.
Demarini got fed up with everybody buying up hot models on secondary market, so they cried to have them banned. Now you have to go buy a brand new one from them! Same story with certification process in softball! Manufacturers are the ones behind it!
I have a 33 inch meta pwr, is that also illegal in high school play.
Kyle,
The short answer is no. The Meta PWR was never made illegal for 2020. Although it has the same barrel, the MOI (swing weight) of a bat help determine its BBCOR in a round about way. So, that bat never got banned, although it has the same barrel as the 2020 META 33-inch that did.
i have the Easton 1 piece bat but i can use it what is the difference
Does anyone know if the Easton Triple 7 scandium 29oz -9 is a legal bat for youth travel baseball?
Is the 2019 cf zen -3 illegal? I dont see it online anymore. That thing sent rockets.
No. The 2019 version was never made illegal although it is the same bat as the 2020 META. They sold out very quickly of those. So, if you do see one online it’s likely an insane price.
And, we think you’re right, that thing sends absolute rockets.
So are the ’17 CF Zen in 2 5/8 still legal then?
The green drop 10 and drop 8 are illegal. The blue drop 10 is illegal. The drop 5 green one, as well as the drop 11 blue one, are illegal.
However, they retooled them to have an orange end cap and those are legal. Hope that helps. Look at the chart above and go off the serial number. That’s how you can tell for sure. Most of the illegal ones are no longer for sale anywhere so it’s unlikely you’ll find them out there.
sure would like to know what the testing specs are;
right now, the whole thing seems arbitrary and political as ice skating or a beauty contest;
What about the 2019 Louisville Prime 919? Someone said it was illegal In NCAA. Will it still be legal for high school play? Thanks
Yes. The 919 Prime is legal. We have not heard that it is illegal even in NCAA play.
They where saying that because of it being white
2020 Meta legal in high school? Been a few weeks, trying to see if NCAA decertification has trickled down.
2020 Meta banned in high school 3/3/20
Do you think the 2020 33″ meta will be banned in high school?
Our guess is no, it will not. But we have no idea.
I have a 2017 limited edition cf-zen zero dark 30/20 with an orange end cap as well orange
“R” on it. Is that the retooled version? And is it legal for usssa standards
That is the retooled version (any orange end cap is) and yes it is legal for USSSA play.
@Mark, You sure you don’t see a USSSA 1.15 BPF stamp on it? The USSSA ghost does have it. Unless you bought the USA one. But, in that case, they do allow USA Bats to be used in USSSA leagues—just not the other way around.
I just bought my son the Easton Ghost bat. It’s a 29 drop 10 but I don’t see a USSSA stamp on it. Is he allowed to use it in USSSA tournaments?
Is the 2017 cf zen drop 11 illegal also or just drop 10??cant seem to find info
Just the drop 10. Drop 11 is the JBB version of the bat and legal.