2024 Worlds Brings Forth the First Altered Bat 10 Year Suspensions

Sept. 1, 2024

Bats that fail the bat test at the fields are brought back to the office for another test in a more controlled environment. If a bat fails a second time, it is sent to the manufacture to determine if the bat is altered. 36 bats between sessions 1 and 2 of Worlds have failed at the fields, above.

Softball News Report

     The first two altered bats were discovered as a result of Senior Softball USA’s on-field bat testing program and two players have been suspended for 10 years.

     The bats failed a random field test during the Rocky Mountain Championships in Aurora, Colo., in August, then failed a controlled re-test in Sacramento and were sent to a lab for final inspection because they were newer bats.

     The lab found both bats – one a Miken Ultra and the other a Miken Big Cat – had been shaved.

     The players, one a 70 AA player and the other a 65 AAA player, have appealed their suspensions. Their appeals are being decided by an Appeals Board.

     SSUSA established on-field testing standards this year and began random testing at the Eastern and Western Nationals.  Older bats that failed the test were marked as illegal and sent back to the owners.  Newer bats that failed were sent to the manufacturer’s lab to ensure they had not been altered.

     “Our goal is to get hot bats out of the game,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA’s chief executive officer.  “Players should be very careful not to buy bats from sites that alter bats – or used bats from other players.  They are responsible for the bats they swing.”