Legal Bat

[ROC 33]

Question: USA rules, is it legal to have a Blast Motion sensor on the knob of an otherwise legal bat during game play? Rule 3.B states the safety knob has to be permanently attached but can be covered with tape.

Sorry if this has been asked, I search but did not see anything.

 

[Crabby_Bob]

Although NCAA appears to me to be the only organization that mentions embedded sensors by rule, the USA Softball April 2019 Plays and Clarifications has the following paragraph.

Equipment: Bat Sensors:The Equipment Testing and Certification Committee is continuously reviewing all equipment involved in our game. At the 2018 USA Softball Council Meeting the committee reviewed an external sensor made by Blast Motion that mounts externally to the knob of a bat. The committee felt that the way the sensor was attached, and the data shown the committee regarding the sensors inability to become detached from the knob by accident, was enough to recommend the sensor should be allowed during play. The Committee also felt the design did not add to the length of a bat since a batter could not truly grip the sensor attached to the knob like many of the Slow Pitch Players do. It was recommended by the committee the Blast Motion Sensor should be approved for play. We are sure that you will be seeing them soon and when you do know they are approved for play.

 

[Comp]

Never understood USA's ruling on that considering they have a rule that says no electronic equipment on the field with the exception of score keeping equipment.

 

[ROC 33]

Thanks for your reply. It is strange that they say a rule change is coming but never updated the actual rule book to include the equipment. If it isn't in the rule book, did the change happen?