Perfect Game bat rules (2027)
Perfect Game tournament bat rules by age group.
| Division | Season | Stamp | Barrel | Max length | Drop limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6U–11U Ages 6–11 | Current | USSSA 1.15 or USABat or BBCOR or Wood | — | — | — |
| 12U Age 12 | Current | USSSA 1.15 or USABat or BBCOR or Wood | — | — | — |
| 13U Age 13 | Current | USSSA 1.15 or USABat or BBCOR or Wood | — | — | -5 or heavier |
| 14U Age 14 | Current | BBCOR or Wood | 2 5/8" | — | -3 or heavier |
| 15U–18U & showcases Ages 15–18 Varies by event | Current | BBCOR or Wood | 2 5/8" | — | -3 or heavier |
Notes by division
- 6U–11U: No drop cap. Some White/Blue flag events are stricter, so check the event's bat-restrictions tab. Perfect Game also bans specific models listed on its rules page.
- 12U: Watch out: -5 USSSA bats are banned at 12U (since Aug 2024), but -6, -8, -10 and -12 are fine, as is a -3 BBCOR.
- 13U: No lighter than -5 (stricter than USSSA and Game Day USA, which allow -8). Wood must be one piece or on PG's approved wood-composite list.
- 14U: "-3 BBCOR only." Wood must be one piece or on PG's approved wood-composite list.
- 15U–18U & showcases: Perfect Game sets the bat type for each event: many showcases and WWBA-style events are wood-only, others allow -3 BBCOR. Check the event page.
Stamps used in Perfect Game
- USSSA 1.15 BPF mark: The travel-ball standard, marked "1.15 BPF" by a licensed maker. These bats aren't legal in Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY or Diamond Youth (Dixie). Retailers list barrels up to 2 3/4". Official list.
- USA Baseball (USABat) mark: USA Baseball's youth standard, which makes bats perform close to wood. Barrel up to 2 5/8", no drop limit, and no new USABat is made longer than 32". Required in Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY, Diamond Youth (Dixie), AABC and most rec leagues. Official list.
- BBCOR .50 mark: The high school and college standard: -3 drop, barrel up to 2 5/8", 36" max. BBCOR bats made before USA BBCOR stay legal in high school indefinitely, but the NCAA requires the new USA BBCOR mark from Jan 1, 2029. Official list.
- one-piece solid wood: One-piece solid wood is legal almost everywhere without a stamp. Multi-piece, laminated, bamboo and composite-wood bats usually do need a certification mark.
Sources
- https://www.perfectgame.org/Events/tournaments/Print/Rules.aspx?sid=87 (checked Oct 23, 2026)
This page summarizes published rules. Your league or tournament can add its own, and its ruling is final. Confirm your bat isn't on a decertified or non-approved list before you buy. Questions about a specific model? Check the official list linked above. More bat questions.
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