What is BBCOR and What Does BBCOR Mean to Me?

BBCOR bats have been used in college and high school baseball for quite some time, but there is still quite a bit of buzz about its introduction. “What is BBCOR, and what does it stand for? Why was the BBCOR standard created? Do I (or my player) need a BBCOR bat? Is this a BBCOR-certified bat?” These are all common questions that the Bat Experts receive at JustBats.com, and we’d like to help clear up any confusion you may have.
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What is BBCOR, and what does it stand for?

BBCOR stands for “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution.” And more specifically, the BBCOR bat standard enforced by The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is referred to as "BBCOR .50".  This is the standard that bats must meet if they wish to bear the "BBCOR .50" silkscreen stamp on their taper.

To find the BBCOR rating for a bat, baseballs must be fired from a cannon at pre-determined spots on the barrel of a stationary bat. With each test, the tester records the relative speed of the baseball before it hits the bat. They also record the relative speed of the baseball after it hits the bat. With these recordings, they can calculate the ratio of the baseball's relative speed after impact to the baseball's relative speed before impact. As long as that ratio equals .50-or-below at each pre-determined location on the bat, the bat is able to be BBCOR certified. If that ratio exceeds .50 at any of the pre-determined spots on a baseball bat, the bat is not allowed to bear the BBCOR .50 silkscreen stamp.

In addition to passing the test described above, BBCOR-certified bats must also have a barrel diameter no greater than 2 ⅝”, a length-to-weight ratio no greater than -3, and a length that does not exceed 36”.

Why was the BBCOR standard created?

In short, the BBCOR standard was created to preserve the integrity of the game of baseball at the amateur level while also providing an increase in safety. Due to inflated offensive performance (particularly in Home Runs and Runs Scored) at the NCAA Division 1 level and with the safety of pitchers being brought into question, the NCAA and NFHS re-evaluated the effectiveness of the BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) standard that was in place before the implementation of the BBCOR standard. They determined that a new standard should be used and then created the parameters for implementing the BBCOR rule. And since its inception, the BBCOR standard has reduced batted ball speeds by 5% when compared to the BESR standard.

Do I (or my player) need a BBCOR bat?

All bats used in leagues that follow NFHS and NCAA rules must meet this BBCOR certification. As well, the older divisions of major Youth baseball organizations (Little League, USSSA, PONY, Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, and Dixie) may say that BBCOR bats are permitted for use, but in nearly every case, BBCORs won't be the only bats allowed for use in these divisions.

For example, the Intermediate (50-70) Division & Junor League Division of Little League Baseball do not require the use of BBCOR bats, but they do mention that "permitted for the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior League Division are bats meeting the BBCOR performance standard".

You can find each division’s specific bat rules located on the organization’s web page, and if you have any questions as to what the bat requirements are for your Youth league, a quick call to your league representative will eliminate any doubt.

Is this a BBCOR certified bat?

All non-wood BBCOR-certified bats will carry this mark:

If you're not sure a particular bat is BBCOR certified, you can always reference Washington State University's list of NCAA-certified baseball bats, which can be found on this page. (WSU's Sports Science Laboratory is the official certification facility for the NCAA.)

*Wood bats that are made from one piece of solid wood, excluding Bamboo, will not require a BBCOR certification mark for NCAA and NFHS play. Wood bats that are constructed from a combination of woods, contain composite materials, or are made of Bamboo, will require the BBCOR certification mark.

USSSA Youth Baseball Bat models that carry the USSSA BPF 1.15 mark (pictured below) are not BBCOR certified.

Are you still having trouble deciding if you need a BBCOR bat? Want some help selecting the best model for your hitting style? Feel free to contact one of our bat experts via phone, live chat, or email at experts@justbats.com. Our toll-free number is 866-321-2287, and any of our team members would be more than happy to answer your questions.