Beginning JANUARY 1, 2012, Mountain Brook Athletics WILL ONLY ALLOW the use of Big Barrel baseball bats (2?” or 2¾”) and Small Barrel Bats for 14U and below play provided the bat (1) has a printed stamp evidencing the bat has a BPF* rating of 1.15 or less that is prominently and permanently displayed on the taper; or (2) has a BBCOR** mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NFHS as a legal bat for NFHS sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat (which bat must be at least 29 inches long) or (3) is a Wood Bat.

* Bat Performance Factor (BPF) is a standard developed by NYU Physics Professor, Dr. Richard A. Brandt, over 15 years ago. The BPF standard is based on fundamental laws of physics that measure the relative performance of bats which in lay terms, measures how a ball “jumps” off of a bat compared to how a ball rebounds off of a wall at a controlled speed. A bat rating of BPF 1.15 places an upper limit on a bat’s springiness or “trampoline effect”.

** Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) is the new standard measure of bat performance and replaces the previous BESR standard. For NFHS (high school) play, all bats must be BBCOR certified for the 2012 season. BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) is no longer considered accurate enough to determine the actual performance of differing bat models. Instead of measuring the speed of the ball after it is batted, BBCOR measures the “bounciness” of the ball and bat, or the “trampoline” effect. According to the NFHS, “the new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities”. They also state “After working with the NCAA and having access to its research, we’ve concluded it’s in our best interest to make this change. BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we’re actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more appropriate for our age and skill level.”