BESR: New High School Baseball Bat Standards

2003 High School Baseball Bat Rule Changes

The National Federation of State High School Associations has adopted standards for metal bats that limit the diameter of a bat to 2 5/8 inches. Also, the weight-length differential can be no greater than three (e.g., a 32-inch bat must weigh at least 29 ounces).

Umpires will be checking to ensure players are using bats with BESR certification. Bats that can be used in high school games will be clearly marked with a BESR designation. BESR stands for "Ball Exit Speed Ratio," an independent and scientific calculation designed to measure the performance of non-wood bats.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) adopted the BESR bat performance standard in June 2001, a move that follows the steps taken by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1999.

Elliot Hopkins, NFHS liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee, highlighted the reasoning behind the rule change in a July 27, 2001 press release: "Adding the BESR requirement for bats used in high school baseball is a continuation of changes made for the 2001 season to ensure that bat performance mirrors the performance of wood bats."

The Baseball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) mark ensures a bat will have:

• A maximum exit speed on the approved test which limits performance to mirror the best Northern White Ash wood bats
• Met the moment-of-inertia requirement (balance point)
• A barrel diameter not exceeding a maximum of 2 5/8 inches
• A length to weight differential of no greater than minus 3