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Discussion: New Bat testing standard

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May 2
JohnO28
Men's 50
154 posts
New Bat testing standard
So by now we are all starting to get the email from SSUSA stating the new bat standards. Which is going to lead to a bunch of questions.
First, what is the protocol for testing, will it be before games, during games, after a game, if someone gets hit?
Secondly, if a bat comes in at 139 and found to be under the standard then what?
Third, who will be the determining authority to decide what happens to a bat if it fails compression?
Fourth, if the bat is taken what will the process be to determine if the bat is just well used or altered?
Fifth, if the bat is taken and opened up and found to be legal but not passing compression what will then happen to the bat? If that bat is damaged in the process of inspection what will the reuinbursement process be?

May 2
Rob64
Men's 60
225 posts
New Bat testing standard
So they're passing them out like the defibrillators so you'll never see one John!
40 Teams 10 Guys 4 bats each 1600 bats tested every tournament because they get hotter as you play. Players don't get checked in so.....
May 3
Five
Men's 60
6 posts
New Bat testing standard
How often is SSUSA going to check the calibration on their compression testers? I feel that's going to be an issue.

I was recently at an event to check out/test new bats. The persons putting on the event had a compression tester so you were able to see the bat out of the wrapper and at the end of the day.

One of the guest hitting at the event, also had a compression tester there. The two compression tester numbers didn't match up. There were 5 -10 lbs difference between the two testers. That's a huge discrepancy.

After the event, the guest hitter took his compression tester to a shop to get the calibration checked. Per the shop, the guest hitters compression tester was dead on. I don't know how often the person putting on the event has his equipment calibrated.

To me, that's going to be an issue, how often is the SSUSA compression tester calibrated - every tournament, every X-number of test, etc.

Also, how much is testing the bats going to slow things down at check in - if SSUSA checks & marks bats OK for play at that time.
May 3
STL0
Men's 60
234 posts
New Bat testing standard
I think everyone wants to and needs to know the answers to the questions that JohnO28 asked. It makes no sense to issue that policy without providing that information. The current policy as it exists isn't clear regarding what happens if a bat fails compression. I would also add an additional question which is how many bats can someone have tested and available for use at a specific tournament.
May 3
Rob64
Men's 60
225 posts
New Bat testing standard
They don't even have bat testers engineered for Seniir bats so quit panicking! Then they have to get them to the Directors. Won't see them this year! Maybe Vegas and California Tournaments.
May 3
Rob64
Men's 60
225 posts
New Bat testing standard
Stop the altered Bats! Better yet stop Illegal players being on the field!
May 3
pitch6

2 posts
New Bat testing standard
OMG this is just a small step towards stopping all the illegal bats and all the bats that have exceeded the safety limits. I’ve been to tournaments that use the same system and it does not slow anything down. Most of the testing is done before the first game( A lot of testing was done the day before at the managers meeting )and they allowed the time for testing during the tourney. There are a lot of very hot bats out there, and this eliminate The dangerous bats!
May 3
Curly67
Men's 70
7 posts
New Bat testing standard
Frankly I see this as an opportunity for someone to start a new service. Set up tent outside park with compression tester, charge $10 for one bat and $20 for three bats. Many guys have bats they either traded or bought from other players. Having an opportunity to have your bat tested prior to entering the park would give the guy or gal peace of mind. I have 5 bats, two from "dealers", one from a "rep", one traded and one bought from another player. Not fool proof.
May 3
Fabe
Men's 65
457 posts
New Bat testing standard
Gonna be interesting to see how many of our older gamer bats will pass this test! We will be forced to be buying new bats every season! Well, let’s see how this plays out! Aloha, Fabe
May 4
Five
Men's 60
6 posts
New Bat testing standard
I'm in support of testing...it's doing something about getting illegal bats out of the game. Is it the End All, we'll see...but at least its something.

I'm curious about how often is the calibration of the testing equipment going to be validated and the process of getting your bat checked and OK'd before the tournament.
May 4
SSUSA Staff

3607 posts
New Bat testing standard
Five ... We have ordered over a dozen new Bat Testers ... When they are received, we'll have them initially calibrated, review the operating instructions, warranty provisions/precautions, the periodic testing standards and any maintenance recommendations ... Of course, we will comply with all of those items as soon as they are known ...

May 4
Double Dee

30 posts
New Bat testing standard
SSUSA staff... can you address the crack vs a seam question? Thank you.
May 4
SSUSA Staff

3607 posts
New Bat testing standard
A "seam" is NOT a "crack" ...
May 4
Double Dee

30 posts
New Bat testing standard
Good to know.
May 5
yankeesfan12

42 posts
New Bat testing standard
What happen to an older model senior bat with all the proper logos and numbers on the bat and the bat is say 10/15 years old and I fails before the first game played in the tournament what happens to the bat, and what's happens to the person/player owner of the bat????
May 6
SSUSA Staff

3607 posts
New Bat testing standard
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May 6
lb16
Men's 60
201 posts
New Bat testing standard
SSUSA Staff - I applaud the attempt to hopefully curtail and eleminate the bat cheaters. My question is why is the pass/test # so low? 140 is awfully low most bats will crack well before they get to that #. In my opinion it should have been minimum 170. Jmo thanks!
May 6
JohnO28
Men's 50
154 posts
New Bat testing standard
LB16,

What testing facility do you work for that has done testing to show that 170 should be the cutoff for bats?
I can buy a bat that starts in the wrapper at 220 and within 200 swings can have it down to 170ish and I'm not a power hitter. 140 might be low but 170 is too high for Senior bats. With that low of a number bats will be failing every few months.


Do you realize that a good majority of the AAA players in the 60-65 and older age groups wouldn't be able to compress the barrel enough on bats testing over 170 to get any use out of them? To make a blanket statement that bats should test over 170 without having the knowledge or data behind it makes no sense. More senior players needs softer barrels to be able to flex that barrel than the young guys do.
May 6
lb16
Men's 60
201 posts
New Bat testing standard
John, No I don't work at a bat testing facility. But have seen and swung senior bats that test well above 170 that have great performance. And I am play on a 60 team mostly base hitter with an occasional Hr. Kind of confusing on one post you are complaining about not being able to use ASA or USSSA bats and the other saying the pass/fail on seniors should be 140? Just a little confusing with all the points about compressing barrels and such by older guys and then complaining about not being able to use ASA or USSSA bats. And by the way I agree with your stance on being able to use ASA or USSSA bats in senior if someone wants to.
May 6
JohnO28
Men's 50
154 posts
New Bat testing standard
LB16,

Using ASA bats and compression numbers are 2 totally different conversations. While I agree that 140 seems low current Senior bats will fail far too quickly at 170 and like I said many Senior players need softer barrel bats and bats that drop below 170.
May 9
DJ12

25 posts
New Bat testing standard
I think someone needs to let everyone know what teh difference is between a bat testing above 170 or below 140. What does that really mean?
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