All bats used in EMASS must be included on the current list of approved bat models published by the USA/ASA National Office. This list can be downloaded from our website here: USA 2023 Approved Bats. If your bat is not on this list, it is not legal in EMASS.

EMASS Bat Policy:

Any bat not authorized for play by USA Softball is considered to be an “UNAUTHORIZED BAT” in EMASS and may not be used in any EMASS softball activity including batting practice. IT IS EACH PLAYER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER HIS/HER BAT IS APPROVED BY USA SOFTBALL. FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION SEE:

USA Softball  >  EQUIPMENT – BATS.  Once on that page, scroll down below the section reading Approved Bats:  2000, 2004, and 2013 and click on “Go” to see all approved bats or change the drop down box reading “Display All” and select a particular company before clicking on “Go” to verify whether your bat is approved.

• A bat must bear either the ASA 2000 certification mark, the ASA Certified 2004 mark, the ASA Softball, the USA Softball Certified or the USA Softball certification mark.

• A bat must be included on a list of approved bat models published by the USA/ASA National Office; or must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the Umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with the USA Softball bat performance standards then in effect. (USA Softball RULE 3 Sect 1-A.3)

• Unauthorized Bats should remain in the owner's trunk of their car and should not be brought on or about the playing field.  If the umpire discovers a player using an Unauthorized Bat, even in batting practice, the owner of the bat (if identifiable) and the player using the bat shall be ejected and unable to play for the entire day.

• Any person who has attempted to fraudulently apply a USA Softball Certification Stamp to a bat shall be banned from all EMASS softball activities for a full year.

• Although a bat may be authorized for use by meeting the requirements detailed above, if the bat fails to meet other USA Softball Bat Regulations (i.e. the bat is altered or damaged), the bat shall not be permitted.  (USA Softball RULE 3 Sect 1-H)

Bats and EMASS - A Primer:

Softball bats…are complicated.  They are high tech items. Bat vendors use multiple materials in multiple ways to increase the hitting ability of the players while still meeting industry standards. They are also expensive; new decent bats will generally cost in the $200-$400 range and once you use them, they are not returnable.

It is really up to each individual to determine which bat best suits your style of hitting.  Many websites and major sporting goods outlets such as Dick’s sell approved bats.  If you decide to buy a new bat, don’t buy from any website that uses terms like “shaved” “rolled” or “heated”.  Bats that are manipulated in any way will not fall within USA Softball standards and are not approved for EMASS play. Manipulated bats are considered "cheating" and dangerous to other players.   

For new players, you may think an old metal bat that you used in another league should be fine.  However, it is likely that bat won’t be approved for use in EMASS. EMASS is a USA (Previously ASA) Softball League.  We generally follow the guidelines published from USA Softball.  There are other organizations out there (ISA, USSSA, SSUSA, etc.) with different standards. As a USA/ASA softball league, we use bats that meet USA softball standards.

USA Softball tests softball bats and then certifies that they are appropriate for use in their leagues. Bat producers put a certification mark on the bat - essentially giving it their seal of approval, if they meet USA Softball specifications.  However, not all bats that have the USA Softball or ASA certification mark are in compliance with current USA Softball bat standards. 

Bats used in EMASS play that meet USA Softball standards have a BPF (Bat Performance Factor) lower than other "senior bats", making them less potent and thus generally safer to use for recreational players.  The term, “Senior Bats,” is generally used to describe bats with a 1.21 BPF and are not certified and allowed for play in EMASS (with a specific exception below for over 75 players in the National Division). A senior bat is any bat which complies with the 1.21 BPF standard. Oversimplified, this means a ball will rebound with a higher exit velocity off a senior bat than a USA Softball certified bat.  

EMASS Requirements and Oversight for Bats can be found in the EMASS Playing Rules Section 3:  https://e-mass.org/content/1106/Playing-Rules. Legal bats in EMASS must satisfy two conditions:

1. The bat must have a USA Softball or ASA certification mark. 
2. The bat must appear in the Certified Equipment – Bats list on the USA Softball website. The current list of USA approved bats is available as a download from the EMASS website.  USA 2023 Approved Bats. 

Certified Senior Bats (SSUSA bats which are 1.21 BPH) are approved for use in the Saturday National Division for players over 75.