Slowpitch softball bat rules (2027)
Slowpitch bat rules for the major sanctioning bodies, including rec, church and senior leagues.
| Division | Season | Stamp | Barrel | Max length | Drop limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult & youth slowpitch Ages 10+ | Current | USA Softball | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| Senior slowpitch Ages 40+ | Current | Senior (SSUSA) or USA Softball | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| Tournaments Ages 14+ | Current | USSSA 240 or Wood | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| League play Ages 14+ | Current | USSSA 240 | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| Senior Ages 40+ | Current | Senior (SSUSA) | — | — | — |
| Adult & youth Ages 10+ | Current | NSA | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| Senior Ages 40+ | Current | Senior (SSUSA) or NSA | 2 1/4" | 34" | — |
| SSUSA tournaments Ages 40+ | Current | Senior (SSUSA) | — | — | — |
| Local leagues Ages 14+ Varies by event | Current | USA Softball | — | — | — |
Notes by division
- Adult & youth slowpitch: ASA 2000, 2004, 2013 or USA Softball marks. The bat must be on the approved list and off the non-approved list.
- Senior slowpitch: Senior bats are allowed in senior championship play only.
- Tournaments: Requires the 2020 USSSA mark ("240"). The 2014 mark ("220") has been banned from sanctioned tournaments since Jan 1, 2023.
- League play: The 2020 ("240") mark is legal, and the older 2014 ("220") mark is still allowed in USSSA league play. Some local leagues ban 220 bats.
- Senior: Senior bats from a USSSA-licensed senior maker that meet the SSUSA standard. A bat decertified by SSUSA is also banned from USSSA play.
- Adult & youth: NSA 2012 logo, and the bat must come from an NSA-approved bat company.
- Senior: Senior bats don't need the NSA 2012 logo but must come from an NSA-approved bat company.
- SSUSA tournaments: New bats need the SSUSA/NTS logo. Older bats marked "SSUSA approved" (1.21 BPF or less) or with the "World Champs" logo are also accepted. Check the disapproved list.
- Local leagues: There's no national rule. Many rec leagues follow USA Softball, some allow USSSA or both, and some ban senior bats. Check your league's bylaws before you buy.
Stamps used in Slowpitch softball
- USA Softball mark (ASA 2000, ASA 2004 or USA Softball "All Games"): The most widely required fastpitch stamp. USA Softball events also require the bat to be on the approved list and off the non-approved list. The ASA 2013 mark isn't legal for girls' or women's fastpitch. Official list.
- Senior Softball-USA approved mark: Senior bats are approved by Senior Softball-USA and are legal only in senior play. SSUSA keeps the approved and disapproved lists. Official list.
- 2020 USSSA mark (the "240" stamp): Required for USSSA slowpitch tournaments. The older 2014 "220" stamp has been banned from sanctioned tournaments since 2023, but it's still allowed in USSSA league play. 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.
- NSA 2012 logo, from an NSA-approved bat company: NSA requires the NSA 2012 logo, and the maker must be on NSA's Approved Bat Company list. A bat marked only USA or only USSSA is not NSA-legal. Official list.
Sources
- https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2026/01/1-12-2026-Rule-Book.pdf (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://cms.usssa.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/usssa-slowpitch-2026-rulebook-final.pdf (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://usssa.com/slowpitch/slowpitch-licensed-softball-bat-ball-manufacturers (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://playnsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-NSA-Slowpitch-Rulebook-P.pdf (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://playnsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-NSA-Approved-Bat-Company-Listing-09012026.pdf (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://www.seniorsoftball.com/?page=37 (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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