Little League was founded in 1939, and its mission is to "to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball."

Better than any other youth sport activity, baseball and softball have become the thread that has sewn together a patchwork of nations and cultures around the world. Children in diverse nations such as Israel, Jordan, Russia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Poland, Mexico, China, Venezuela, South Africa and the U.S. have discovered baseball and softball -- Little League Baseball and Softball - are ways to bring their people a sport that mirrors life itself.

Little League International has a website that has a lot of information for players, parents, coaches and league officials and is updated regularly.   We recommend you visiting regularly and can even sign up to receive e-mail updates on events and updates.  Although we cannot post every piece of news that is updated, we will post information that we feel is critical on this page.

Important Links:

Little League -
www.littleleague.org
Coaches Box Newsletter - http://www.littleleague.org/learn/newsletters/CBNewsletter.htm
Manager and Coach Resource Page -
http://www.littleleague.org/managersandcoaches.htm

LITTLE LEAGUE NEWS

January 6, 2011

Dear Little League Volunteers,

 

Little League International has posted a "Frequently-Asked Questions" article regarding the recent moratorium on composite baseball bats, as well as a list of licensed baseball bats with a 2 1/4 inch maximum diameter that are currently approved for use in the baseball divisions of Little League (Little League [Majors] Division and below).

 

You can access the article and list by clicking on this link: 

http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2010/Sep-Dec/LLBBCompositeBatMoratoriumFAQ.htm 

 

Please feel free to forward this information to volunteers and parents in your district/league.

 

Sincerely,

Little League International

December 30, 2010

Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
December 30, 2010

Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective immediately.
 
 “Today’s decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “The maximum performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in process.”

Local Little Leagues were first informed of the research last September.

“From the beginning, and throughout this process, we wanted to keep everyone informed,” Patrick W. Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Little League International, said. “Our intent was to provide local league constituents clear direction regarding composite bats. There is a process through which manufacturers can submit individual models for a possible waiver if they wish to seek it. Going forward, we will let our leagues know which ones meet the standards for the Little League Baseball (Majors) 12-and-under divisions, if any.”

On Sept. 1, Little League International placed a moratorium on composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League. Subsequent to that moratorium, some composite bat models have received a waiver and may be used in those divisions. Information on the composite bats that have received waivers for the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League may be found here:
 
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm

At present, no composite bats for the Little League (Majors) Division and below have received a waiver. If and when any models do receive a waiver, Little League International will inform its leagues of that decision.

The moratorium on composite bats, which now applies to all baseball divisions of Little League, does not apply to any softball divisions of Little League.

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Note: The moratorium on composite bats only applies to composite-barreled bats. Bats that have only a metal/alloy in the barrel (and no other material, unless it is in the end cap of the bat) are not subject to the moratorium, regardless of the composition of the handle.

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