Acton Adult Softball League
Sponsored by: Recreation Department in Acton, Massachusetts 01720
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Bats

AASL regulates bat use to minimize the potential for any serious injury to pitchers and infielders from a batted ball. AASL’s intent is to maintain a high level of on-field safety by limiting the prevalence advanced bat technology in our game, making AASL games safer, more playable, and more enjoyable. (If you want to use these bats, other area leagues may be more appropriate for you.)

An allowed bat must meet the following criteria:

1. Bat must be approved by AASL and then listed under "Allowed" below.
2. Bat must carry the ASA 2004 or ASA 2000 certification mark, or be manufactured before 2000 and meet the other criteria on this list.
3. Bat must be wood or metal, and if metal must be a single piece, other than the knob and end cap.
4. Bat must be single-wall, not double-wall, triple-wall, multi-wall, multi-shell, tri-shell, or other designation indicating a design more complex than what is reasonably considered single-wall. "Half&Half" is considered more complex than single-wall.
5. Metal bats may be composed of aluminum alloys or steel but may not contain titanium, carbon, or composite materials.

AASL has reviewed descriptions of bats to create the "Bats Allowed" list below. For other bats to be listed, be aware of the following:

1. A bat MAY NOT BE USED unless it is on the list below, or in lieu of being listed, the user of the bat has a printed copy of an e-mail from AASL administrators clearly stating that the specific bat is allowed. Bats in this status will be added to the allowed list as soon as website updates are possible.
2. If a player wants a bat approved, AASL administrators must be alerted by e-mail with sufficient specifications of said bat (manufacturer, model, and hopefully a digital image of the bat). Decision on approval after this information is submitted may take up to 5 days. That bat may not be used until approval is granted.

PENALTIES Beginning in 2011, if a bat that is not on the Legal Bat List is used in a game:

• a player who has used the non-approved bat in that game will be EJECTED from the game (both captains WILL cooperate to make this happen)
• the player's spot in the lineup is counted as OUT for the last at bat (i.e., when the violation was found) and all subsequent at bats,
• and the player is SUSPENDED for the following game. Notification of this suspension happens when the game report indicates a bat violation. (We will pursue clarity before issuing the suspension.)
• A second offense by that player results in ejection from the league for the remainder of that season (regular season + playoffs).

League Bats

AASL provides a selection of bats for players on both teams to use during the season. These are marked with colored tape for easy identification, and have "AASL" marked on or grinded into their knobs. These bats should be locked in the equipment boxes after games. In 2011 each field has a new Easton Reflex 34"/30 oz and 34"/26 oz bat along with a collection of older bats.

Allowed and Not Allowed Bats

This list was last updated on 6/9/2011.