USABat vs USSSA vs BBCOR: bat stamps explained
What each certification stamp means, where it's legal, and how to tell them apart. Last checked Oct 23, 2026.
Every non-wood bat carries a certification stamp, and your league decides which stamps it accepts. Buying the wrong stamp is the most common bat mistake parents make.
Baseball stamps
| Stamp | Who uses it | Drop | Barrel |
|---|---|---|---|
| USABat (USA Baseball) | Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY, Diamond Youth (Dixie), AABC, most rec leagues | Any | Up to 2 5/8" |
| USSSA 1.15 BPF | Travel ball (USSSA, Perfect Game, Game Day USA) through about 13U | Any, but events set limits at 12U–14U | Up to 2 3/4" (per retailers) |
| BBCOR .50 | High school, college, Legion, 14U+ travel, Little League Senior | -3 | Up to 2 5/8" |
| USA BBCOR | Same as BBCOR. Required in NCAA from 2029. | -3 | Up to 2 5/8" |
| Tee ball | Tee ball, only with approved tee balls | Any | Varies |
The rules that trip people up
- USSSA bats are illegal in Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY, Diamond Youth (Dixie) and AABC youth divisions.
- BBCOR bats are illegal in Little League Majors and below and in Cal Ripken, but legal in Diamond Youth (Dixie) and PONY youth divisions.
- USABat bats are legal in USSSA at 12U and under.
- One-piece solid wood is legal almost everywhere without a stamp.
- The stamp must be permanent. Stickers don't count.
Softball stamps
Fastpitch and slowpitch have their own marks: USA Softball, USSSA, NSA, Senior Softball-USA and WBSC. See fastpitch sizing and slowpitch stamps.
Not sure which stamp you need? The Bat Finder tells you for your exact league, division and season.
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The free Bat Finder gives you the length, the drop and the stamp your league requires in about 20 seconds.
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