Transcript Technical Discussion on BBS Certification. TECHNICAL BULLETIN

2008 S.D.U meeting
Melbourne
Leigh Evans
Deputy UIC
Technical Stream
Rules Interpreter
Softball Australia
Technical Discussion on BBS Certification and
how we should handle the interim period.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Available on the Softball Australia web site
Subject: Legal and Illegal Bats, New Batted Ball Speed (BBS) Test
Certification.
TB2008-1 Version 3.0
CHANGES TO ORIGINAL POLICY
Supersedes TB 2007-1 Ver. 2.2
30/11/07.
Background
• ISF have been certifying bats since 1st January 2002.
ISF publish a list of “approved bats” – essentially a list
of bats that are legal and used for ISF competition
and events. Initially, the ISF certification process was
based on a mathematical “bat performance factor”
(BPF).
• ISF currently use a high-speed batted ball test (BBS)
using the American Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM) test procedure with a limit of 100
MPH/160.93 KPH.
Why were the changes to the first
bulletin necessary?
• As there was confusion in the market with the
current published ISF list as to which bats had
passed the BBS testing and which bats will drop
off the ISF approved list on the 1st of September
2008.
• Softball Australia’s commitment to sponsors,
manufactures, wholesalers and retailers.
• The delay in ISF releasing the current BBS
certification information and approved bat list.
Procedure for Use of Softball Bats
• a) A bat will be approved for use in Australia if it is
listed on the current ISF Certified Bat List.
or
• b) Any bat not listed on the ISF Certified Bat List will
be considered approved for use in Australia if it is
listed on the ASA Approved Bat List.
• There will be an interim period where bats that fall
outside the BBS certification but complied with the
previous BPF 1.2 will be allowed in Australian play
until 31/08/2010.
• After 1/09/2010, a bat will be approved for use in
Australian play only if it complies with a) or b) above.
• The compliance with this Technical Bulletin rests with
all participants of the game not just the umpires, as the
practicality of checking bats with separate lists prior to
games at all levels is not feasible.
• It is of utmost importance that Players, coaches,
parents, team managers, administrators, State and local
associations, understand they play an important role in
this requirement.
• Reference to the following web sites will assist in
understanding the procedure and testing process.
http://www.internationalsoftball.com/english/rules_stan
dards/certified_bats.asp
http://asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp
The new 2005 BBS ISF Certification
mark
• We still receive emails almost weekly
regarding which bats are legal and which bats
are not.
• We have also been contacted by various
manufactures and wholesalers.
• We must be prepared in our response to all
stake holders.
• We must explain the impact while not
sensationalising the results.
Suggested responses to participants
and stakeholders
• Batted ball speed is the new testing method
for bats, taking into account fielder reaction
time.
• Softball Australia has undertaken a transition
period to phase out the older bats that
previously passed the BPF 1.2 method.
• All bats that have not passed the BBS test
method in 2010 will not be permitted to be
used.
Grassroots I.D.
• Don’t send umpires out with lists.
• Explain/discuss and publish all participants
responsibility.
• A. 2005 ISF Logo.
• B. 2004 ASA Logo
• C. B.P.F. 1.2
Procedure to be used at National competitions 2008/2009.
Each step must be read in order.
1. If a bat has the new ISF BBS Certification mark 2005 it will be considered
legal (100 mph). (as the test results may take some time to be published
on the ISF web site).
2. A bat will be considered legal if it has the ASA 2004 mark (98 mph).
3. In the interim. A bat will be considered legal it displays the B.P.F. 1.2
marking until 2010, even if it is not on the ISF web site.
4. If the bat does not comply with any of the above, the bat should be
taken to the UIC to check against the ISF/ASA lists, this should only need
doing at the first game of each team.
5. A bat will be considered legal if it is listed on the ISF approved web site
once the page is updated (a page will be considered updated if dated
after 31/08/08).
6. A bat will be considered legal if listed on the ASA approved web site.
7. A bat that is not listed as approved on either web site and does not have
a B.P.F. 1.2 certification mark will not be able to be used at all.