BBCOR FAQ

Wondering what the difference is between a BBCOR, a BESR and an ABI? Want to know what’s legal and what isn’t?

You came to the right place.

Here is our guide to the upcoming changes in bat performance standards. First, we have some definitions of terms. Second, there is a league-by-league timeline. Third, we have a list of bats that will be legal in BBCOR-only leagues.

Definitions

BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) — This is a longstanding test used to ensure that non-wood bats play similar to wood bats. It tests a bat’s “exit speed,” i.e. how fast the ball bounces off a composite or aluminum bat barrel. It is being phased out.

BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) — This is a new, more-accurate test used to ensure that aluminum and composite bats play similar to wood bats. It includes the ABI, listed below. It will be adopted by many organizations in the coming years.

ABI (Accelerated Break-In Test) — This is a test performed on bats to simulate heavy use. Composite bats perform better the more you use them, so when combined with the BBCOR, the ABI ensures that even with heavy usage, composite bats perform similar to wood bats.

NCAA timeline

Now in effect — All bats used in the NCAA and any organizations that follow NCAA rules (such as the NAIA), must be BBCOR certified. The BESR certification is no longer used.

Composite-barreled bats, which were previously banned in the NCAA, will be allowed if they can pass the BBCOR test.

NFHS timeline

From now until Jan. 1, 2012 — BESR bats are still allowed in NFHS affiliated high school games. However, composite-barreled bats are banned from competition, unless they pass both the ABI and BESR tests.

Starting Jan. 1, 2012 — All bats must be BBCOR certified. The BESR certification will no longer be used.

Composite-barreled bats, which were previously banned, will be allowed if they can pass the BBCOR test.