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| Posted | Discussion |
| Jan. 27, 2014 OmahaChuck Men's 60 39 posts | Bat Warmers (Sleeves and Such). Any rules against using them? A small debate among a few of us and since we didn't have a rulebook handy figured I would turn to one of you experts... Is there an ASA rule concerning the use of bat warmers? This would include the solar powered boxes, electric warming boxes, cloth sleeves, or pouches with microwaveable jell packs. There may be other devices out there. These devices are designed to heat the bat up to an acceptable temperature to preclude the bat breaking in cold weather. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. Chuck |
| Jan. 28, 2014 bob4242 18 posts | I was going to also ask this question. Also what are the results when using bat warmers in early tournaments when it is till below 60? |
| Jan. 28, 2014 Fred S Men's 85 297 posts | I don't think there is in SSUSA but they are banned in ASA. Is it enforced, I doubt it. |
| Jan. 28, 2014 JimmyG Men's 55 52 posts | Found this from Message Board in 2011. http://seniorsoftball.com/?messageboard&viewby_thread=70441&message_topic_id=rules See response from SSUSA Staff. They are legal. |
| Jan. 29, 2014 OmahaChuck Men's 60 39 posts | Jimmy, thanks for digging that up for me. I started to go back but my patience died in mid-July 2013! Appreciate all the responses. Have a great season to all. |
| Jan. 29, 2014 jfsully 82 posts | OC: Your original question was concerning ASA rules and batwarmers. I talked with ASA last year and they were adamant that bat warmers are enhancing performance and not necessarily just keeping bats from breaking. (Many times you would see people using batwarmers when it was in the 70-80 degree range.) After testing, ASA decided to outlaw batwarmers. There is a misconception that bats break because the bat gets cold. Testing shows that it is the ball compression increasing and the ball getting "harder" causes the bats to break. If memory serves me correctly balls are tested at approximately 72 degrees. For every 1 degree of temperature change, the compression changes by approx 5 lbs. A 475 compression ball in 52 degree weather would feel like a 575 compression ball. (Conversely at 92 degrees the ball is 375 compression.) Alan Tanner is one of the most knowledgeable people on the "whats" and "whys" of this. We've discussed this before and I think I have the info correct? (The prior poster is correct that SSUSA allows batwarmers.) |
