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New ASA 2008 Bat Certification Testing Prodedures Have Changed.

Recently, it has been made known that ASA will be changing the way it tests and approves its softball bats. The good news is that all 2004 ASA approved fastpitch bats and 2004 ASA approved Slowpitch bats will not be made illegal and you will still be able to use them in ASA play. However, Beginning July 1, 2008, all bat manufacturers will no longer be allowed to ship any remaining bats with the ASA 2004 stamp. Any bats leaving a manufacturer’s warehouse after July 1 must meet the new 2008 ASA certification standards, stating that all ASA bats must meet the 98 MPH rating for the lifetime of the bat. The current 2004 ASA certification states that all bats must meet the 98 MPH rating only when it is brand new.



As most softball players are aware, composite bats have a “break in” period where the inner wall of the bat breaks up as it is used. This thins out the walls and increases the trampoline effect which causes bat performance to increase over the lifetime of the bat. ASA has ruled that bat manufacturers must take steps in their production to ensure that this break in phenomenon no longer occurs, meaning all ASA approved bats will always have a maximum 98 MPH exit speed regardless of the number of times it has been hit.



The good news is that ASA has agreed to grandfather all 2008 models shipped to bat dealers before July 1. This means that any remaining bats with the ASA 2004 stamp WILL be ASA legal indefinitely. Any bats shipped to dealers after the July 1 cutoff will carry the new certification stamp and meet the new standards. Most manufacturers have done what they can to get as many of the ASA 2004 stamped bats out to dealers before the deadline, but supplies will still be limited.

None of this has been officially announced by ASA, however ASA has instructed all bat manufacturers that they will have to meet this new policy. So here’s what we know:

• 2009 slowpitch and fastpitch composite bats will never perform beyond the 98MPH exit speed.


• 2009 aluminum bats are not affected by this change in testing procedure because aluminum bat performance decreases with use.


• July 1, 2008 - Manufacturers can no longer manufacture and distribute bats that were certified under the 2004 testing procedures.


• Retailers can sell 2008 model year and older bats that were certified under the 2004 testing procedures as long as they have stock.


• Composite bats certified under the 2004 certification can be used by players until they are no longer safe to use. (Please note this is not official ASA policy. The ASA can ban specific bats at any time.)