Bats for all Softball Divisions were purchased that met the new USA Softball certification standard. More information on the USA Softball standard can be found at: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Certified-Equipment/Equipment-Bats
BBA EQUIPMENT TEAM PURCHASED BALLS FOR ALL T-BALL, SOFTBALL, AND BASEBALL DIVISIONS. NOCSAE/SEI CERTIFICATION COMPLIANT BASEBALLS FOR 13-18 BOYS BASEBALL DIVISIONS WERE ALSO PURCHASED TO MEET NFHS CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Balls for all T-Ball, Softball, and Baseball Divisions were purchased that met current certification standards. All intercity 13-18 boys baseball divisions will receive a new NOCSAE/SEI complaint baseballs to satisfy current NFHS ball certification standards.
More information on NOCSAE/SEI certified baseballs that are complaint with NFHS ball certification standards can be found at: https://nocsae.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ND027-18m21-Std-perf-spec-for-new-baseballs-2021-mod.pdf
BBA EQUIPMENT TEAM PURCHASED NOCSAE COMPLIANT CATCHER'S GEAR TO PROTECT AGAINST COMMOTIO CORDIS
Per the NOCSAE certification standard, Commotio Cordis is a rare heart rhythm disruption caused by a blow to the chest and it is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes. The condition is an episode of ventricular fibrillation induced by a direct blow to the chest over the heart during a specific portion of the heart’s electrical cycle. This can be caused by a direct hit from an object such as a baseball or lacrosse ball, a lacrosse stick or even a collision with another player. The impact doesn’t have to be hard or high velocity. Approximately five to 15 athletes die every year from this event. Most of these deaths are males under the age of 14, many of whom were wearing a form of chest protection when they were hit. Commotio cordis deaths have been recorded in baseball, lacrosse, football and soccer, as well as in other recreational activities.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) implemented a new rule, effective January of 2020, regarding commotio cordis compliant catcher's chest protectors. All catcher's chest protectors for the 11/12, 13/14 and 15/18 boys baseball age group must be equipped with a special commotio cordis protection plate.
While it is not required to provide commotio cordis compliant catcher's chest protectors to other baseball age groups or to our softball divisions, the BBA equipment team has purchased compliant catcher's chest protectors for all baseball and softball divisions (t-ball does not use catcher's gear). This decision was made by the equipment team after conferring with NOCSAE, who stated that the same commotio cordis certification standard was likely to be implemented for non-high school age groups that follow Little League standards in the near future.
While commotio cordis incidents are rare and compliant catcher's gear cannot protect against all incidents of commotio cordis, the equipment team purchased the gear for all divisions that utlize catcher's gear to provide the maximum amount of protection possible for our youth athletes. Providing the safest equipment possible to our youth athletes is our top priority.
BBA EQUIPMENT TEAM PURCHASED NOCSAE COMPLIANT BATTING HELMETS FOR T-BALL, BASEBALL, & SOFTBALL DIVISIONS
Rawlings Batting Helmets and faceguards (if applicable to the division) were purchased that met NOCSAE/SEI standards. More information on the NOCSAE/SEI batting helmet certification can be found at https://nocsae.org/certification/
The NOCSAE Baseball Batting Helmet Standard was first published in 1981. It was designated as the baseball/softball batting helmet standard in 1983. In 2015, NOCSAE began requiring third-party certification of compliance with NOCSAE standards. Third-party certification enhances the integrity of all NOCSAE standards, giving athletes confidence that their athletic equipment has been tested by a neutral, independent body to meet the highest performance standards. NOCSAE has designated Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) as the certifying body for this purpose. SEI is an independent, ANSI/ISO 17065 accredited, certifying body that specializes in personal protective equipment. The seal “Meets NOCSAE Standard” is permanently stamped on the rear portion of each helmet.
BBA EQUIPMENT TEAM PURCHASED USA BASEBALL CERTIFICATION COMPLIANT BATS FOR T-BALL & BASEBALL DIVISIONS
Bats for T-Ball and all Baseball Divisions were purchased that met the new USA Baseball certification standard. More information on the USA Baseball standard can be found at https://www.usabaseball.com/bats
USA Baseball, the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the U.S., in conjunction with participating national member organizations has adopted a new method for measuring bat performance in the testing of youth bats. Informed by the research of leading scientists on the USA Baseball Bat Study Committee, and supported by its National Member Organizations, - including the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC), Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball & Dixie Boys Baseball, Little League Baseball and PONY Baseball - USA Baseball has concluded that recent advancements in science, engineering, technology, and the materials available to fabricate non-wood bats, now allow the manufacturers to construct youth bats that can perform at a wood-like level through the entire range of lengths and weights of youth bats.
The USA Baseball bat standard (USABat), which applies to bats that are classified below the NCAA and NFHS level of play, was implemented on January 1, 2018.
Similar to the NCAA and NFHS BBCOR standard, which helped to eliminate discrepancies with different length bats and thus provide a more direct measure of bat performance, the USA Baseball bat standard establishes a wood-like performance standard for youth baseball bats, a standard that will provide for the long-term integrity of the game.