BAT POLICY – GTCSPL & RCMSPL will be referred to as GUELPH SLO PITCH (GSP)
BAT POLICY and STANDARDS – As of April 2022, GSP will no longer administer bat compression testing.
Any bat that is to be used in game play must meet the standards as outlined below.
All bats are subject to compression testing by Executive members at anytime if required.
NON-Approved Bats
- ANY bat made by the JAK’D manufacturer is not legal for play.
- SUNCOAST bats NOT approved by USSSA are also not legal for play.
Approved Bats - To be eligible for GSP play, all bats must be approved by PlaySloPitch. In further 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 PlaySloPitch.
The GSP will follow the USSSA Bat Certification Program.
Reminder: If you buy a new model bat, make sure it has the "USSSA BPF 1.20" thumbprint / fingerprint (220lb. compression) OR the NEW "slow pitch only" (240lb. compression) 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. PlaySLoPitch 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 PlaySloPitch 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 PlaySloPitch
2nd offence - The player will receive a lifetime suspension. All team members will receive a minimum of one (1) year suspension.
PlaySloPitch 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 2013 thumbprint / fingerprint mark, the NEW 2021 marking. Wood bats must be 2¼” or less in diameter and unlike other USSSA approved bats, do not require the words ‘Official Softball’ to be legal in USSSA sanctioned activiities. The thumbprint logos are located on the taper of the barrel and shown in the following pages.
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 (as shown next) then it is NOT legal for play.
PlaySloPitch, 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 PlaySloPitch. 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.
- NO LONGER LEGAL -
-Legal ONLY IF accompanied by below Finger Print AKA (Thumbprint)
USSSA Slowpitch Softball Bats are used in leagues and tournaments by players of all ages. There are 2 Bat Stamps & Standards for USSSA Slowpitch Softball. While both say 1.20 BPF they have different compression standards:
- 220 lb Compression: 2014 "Thumbprint" (Above Right)
- 240 lb Compression: NTS Tested Slowpitch Only (Above Left)
Moving forward only bats that meet the 240 lb Compression can be made.
Currently the 2014 "Thumbprint"(220 lb) bats are still LEGAL for USSSA Play.
ANY BAT WITH THE NEWEST MARKINGS WILL BE LEGAL FOR PLAY