Bat Policy, Royal City Men's (Guelph Slo Pitch)

PrintBat Policy

BAT POLICY – GTCSPL & RCMSPL will be referred to as GUELPH SLO PITCH (GSP)

BAT POLICY and STANDARDS – GSP will not administer bat compression testing for the 2022 season and beyond.

Approved Bats - To be eligible for GSP and SPO play, all bats must be approved by SPO. As a result of our discussions with the various softball associations, bat manufacturers and of course, the players it is felt that the most acceptable policy for our players is to use the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) bat policy. In addition, to maintain a competitive balance, these bats will be used with an appropriate ball as prescribed by SPO.

The GSP will follow the SPO Bat Certification Program.

 

Reminder: If you buy a new model bat, make sure it has the approved thumbprint / fingerprint mark on it. Make sure you know where your new "legal looking" bat has come from. Some illegal bats are being repainted and sold as "legal" bats. These bats can be dangerous and if someone was injured by one of these altered bats you, the batter, and the person repainting/selling it, are liable and any liability insurance you have would be null and void. Ignorance of where the bat came from or that it had been altered is not an excuse. This also means you should be careful when borrowing a teammate's bat. SPO will deal very harshly with anyone discovered using such a bat. Note that Bats with multiple standards listed must meet all the requirements of each of these standards.

What are the SPO sanctions for having an altered bat?

1st offence - The player will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) years. Bat is removed from the LEAGUE pending further inspection through SPO

2nd offence - The player will receive a life suspension. All team members will receive a minimum of one (1) year suspension.

SPO reserves the right to revise this policy as necessary.

Only composite bats on the USSSA Licensed / Approved bat list are legal for use. To be legal they must be marked with the approved thumbprint / fingerprint mark. Wood bats must be 2 ¼” or less in diameter and unlike other USSSA approved bats, do not require the words ‘Official Softball’ to be legal in USSSA sanctioned activities. The thumbprint logo is located on the taper of the barrel.

NOTE: In the past, the LEAGUE has allowed previously accepted ASA bats for use.
 With the transition to a new stamp, we are no longer Grandfathering older ASA and Aluminum bats. Any bat that contains the 2013 ASA stamp MUST ALSO have the USSSA (thumbprint) stamp. If the bat ONLY contains an ASA stamp then it is NOT legal for play.

SPO, with the purchase of bat testing machines, has developed a strict Bat Testing Policy to restrict the use of altered/illegal bats.

Note: (Sanctioned league/tournament play) Any batter, after entering the batter's box, discovered using an altered/illegal or non-approved bat is immediately ejected and suspended for the rest of the game/tournament. The bat is removed from the LEAGUE pending further inspection from SPO. In addition, there will be a review by the League Disciplinary Committee which could result in a longer suspension.

A second offence will result in a life-time suspension.
The League and any Affiliation will deal very harshly with anyone discovered using such a bat.