Launching No-Harm Pre-Tournament Bat Checks

Feb. 1, 2025

Softball News Report

Bat Pre-Testing:

     SSUSA is establishing no harm, no foul bat pre-testing before major tournaments. Bat pre-testing will be done the day before each session and will be announced in the informational emails to players for those tournaments.

     SSUSA will also offer no-harm, no foul bat pretests in its Sacramento office from Noon to 1 pm on Wednesdays, beginning this week.

     Bats not passing these pre-tests will be marked illegal and given back to players with instructions not to use the bat in the tournament or SSUSA play. There will be no other penalty for pre-tested bats that fail.

Bat Testing:

     During tournaments, teams will be randomly selected and every bat in each player’s bat bag will be tested.

     Older bats failing the field test will be marked illegal for play and returned to players. Newer bats that fail will be sent to Sacramento for a re-test. Players refusing to release their bats for testing are suspended for life. Newer bats failing the retest will be sent to the manufacturer or our lab to be tested to ensure they were not altered (rolled or shaved). Players whose bats are found to be altered will be suspended for 10 years.

     We do this to get rid of cheating – and to provide a fair game for everyone. We strongly recommend buying bats from known sources and for players to stay away from any websites – and there are many – that offer to get their bats “game-ready.” Players are responsible for the bats they bring to the tournament. If they aren’t sure, they should leave them at home.

     To learn more about SSUSA's bat testing initiatives, please click the link below:

     https://seniorsoftball.com/multimedia/2024_winter_magazine_-_covering_the_bases_column.pdf

     To learn more about SSUSA's bat policies and which bats are considered legal, please click the link below:

     https://seniorsoftball.com/?page=36