USSSA Baseball bat rules (2027)
USSSA Baseball bat rules by age group. USSSA is the biggest travel-ball sanctioning body, and its older-age rules can vary by state and event.
| Division | Season | Stamp | Barrel | Max length | Drop limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7U–12U Ages 6–12 | Current | USSSA 1.15 or USABat or BBCOR or Wood | — | — | — |
| 13U Age 13 Varies by event | Current | USSSA 1.15 or BBCOR or Wood | — | — | -8 or heavier |
| 14U Age 14 Varies by event | Current | BBCOR or Wood | — | — | -3 or heavier |
| 15U and up Ages 15–18 | Current | BBCOR or Wood | 2 5/8" | — | -3 or heavier |
Notes by division
- 7U–12U: No drop limit. The USSSA mark must be permanent (no stickers). Retailers list a 2 3/4" max barrel for USSSA bats; USSSA's own pages don't state it. Wood must come from a USSSA-licensed maker.
- 13U: The national rule is no lighter than -8. Some states (e.g. Georgia and Florida) and the 13 Majors Elite World Series cap it at -5. Check your state and event.
- 14U: The national rule is BBCOR or wood. Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma still allow -5 USSSA bats (except 14 Majors in MO/KS). Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas went BBCOR-only in August 2026 for the 2027 season.
- 15U and up: Must meet NFHS (high school) standards. USSSA hasn't said whether it will accept the high-school USABat -4/-5/-6 bats in 2028.
Stamps used in USSSA Baseball
- 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://aagbaseball.usssa.com/faqs-event-information/ (checked Oct 23, 2026)
- https://cabaseball.usssa.com/rule-7-00-rules-of-play/ (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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