On January 1, 2018, Junior Deputy will not adopt the USA Baseball bat standard. Instead, Junior Deputy will implement a local bat rule inour Rookie 7, Rookie 8, Cal Ripken (9-12), and Dizzy Dean (9-12) leagues allowing bats with barrels up to 2 ¾ inches and stamped1.15 BPF.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

It means starting next spring, players in our 7 to 12-year-old leagues can use "big barrel" bats.

WHY IS JUNIOR DEPUTY MAKING THIS CHANGE?

If Junior Deputy implemented the USA Baseball bat standard, then every player in the park would have to purchase a new bat for next spring.Your Junior Deputy Board of Directors could not in good conscience require park families to make this financial expenditure.

Further, the new bats meeting the USA Baseball bat standard will not perform as well as the current 2 1/4 inch barrels stamped with 1.15 BPF.Your Junior Deputy Board of Directors does not want to require bats that will lessen the action in the field and at the plate.

WILL I HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW BAT FOR NEXT SPRING?

No.Every player in our 7 to 12-year-old leagues in Spring 2018can use their same 2 1/4 inch barrel bats stamped with 1.15 BPF.However, our local bat rule will allow these players to purchase and use bats with barrels up to 2 3/4 inches and stamped 1.15 BPF, if they so choose.Here's what the bat stamp looks like:

CAN I USE A BIG BARREL BAT THIS FALL?

No.Big barrel bats will not be allowed in our fall leagues.The first time players can use big barrel bats in league play will be in Spring 2018.

WHAT ABOUT PLAYERS AGES 4 TO 6 IN SPRING 2018?

Players in ourT-Ball 4, T-Ball 5, and Rookie 6 leagues in Spring 2018 will not be allowed to use big barrel bats.Instead, they will continue to use2 ¼ inch barrels stamped with1.15 BPF, the same bats they used this past spring.

WHAT ABOUT PLAYERS AGES 13 TO 15 IN SPRING 2018?

Players in our Babe Ruth league in Spring 2018 will use big barrel bats with barrels up to 2 5/8 inches stamped BBCOR .50, the same bats they used this past spring.

WANT TO PURCHASE A NEW BAT?

Sportstop, located at 10720 North Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, is offering a 10% discount off the purchase of new bats purchased before December 31, 2017, to all 2018 Junior Deputy league registrants.Just show the staff at Sportstop the Blue Sombrero email confirming your 2018 Junior Deputy league registration to take advantage of awesome savings!

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BAT STANDARDS?

To learn about the USA Baseball bat standard, click here.

To learn about Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken's adoption of the USA Baseball bat standard, click here.

To learn more about bat standards under USSSA, click here.

QUESTIONS?

Please give us a call at(937) 553-2255 or send us an email.

Sincerely,

Junior Deputy Communications Committee