Bat Certifications Explained
Mar 26th 2021
Metal bats not only come in many different sizes, but they are also available in several certifications. BBCOR, USSSA and USA Baseball are the certifications for most metal bats. The certification you use is dependent on the league you play in and your age. We are here to help you understand the certifications and find the Marucci bat that matches your game.
BBCOR
What does BBCOR stand for? It stands for “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution.” If a baseball bat has a BBCOR certification stamp on it, the bat will perform at a max level of .50 BBCOR. The NFHS and NCAA both require the use of BBCOR certified bats, which means high school and college athletes are required to swing them. Older divisions in recreational leagues may also require the use of BBCOR certified bats. All BBCOR baseball bats are a -3. “-3” is the drop weight of the bat, which is the difference between the length and weight of the bat, meaning that a bat 33" long, weighs 30 ounces.
Our BBCOR offerings include the:
CATX, CATX Connect, & CATX Composite
CAT9, CAT9 Connect, & CAT9 Composite
USSSA
USSSA certified bats cover most leagues from ages 5 to 14. Every USSSA certified bat must max out at 1.15 BPF (Bat Performance Factor). USSSA leagues & tournaments have different age groups, which determine which size bat should be swung. Older age groups swing lower drop weights, but there is a lot of crossover as kids are growing at different rates. Some players may be stronger than their teammates, which is why there are different weight options allowed. Typically, heavier bats are more durable and can withstand faster swing speeds, or pitching speeds, before denting.
Ages 5-7
- Likely to use JBB (Junior Big Barrel) bats as these ages typically play "Coach Pitch"
Ages 7-10
- Likely to use -10 baseball bats
Ages 9-12
- Likely to use -8 baseball bats
Ages 12-14
- Likely to use -5 baseball bats
Our USSSA offerings include the:
CATX, CATX Connect, & CATX Composite
Award-Winning CAT9 & CAT9 Connect
USA Baseball
USA Baseball certified bats use a wood-like performance standard for youth baseball bats in an effort to provide long-term integrity of the game. We offer an entire line of USA Baseball certified bats including:
Outside of our CAT line, we also offer a USA Baseball approved bat in our F5 line:
Our USA Baseball certified bats are approved for play in AABC Baseball, Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, Dixie Boys Baseball, Little League, Pony Baseball and NABF Baseball.