Babe Ruth League, Inc. Approved and Non-Compliant Bats

"It is the policy of Babe Ruth League, Inc. to assure the safety of all participants.  Accordingly, Babe Ruth League, Inc. reserves the right to ban any equipment, including bats, at any time, including during the season, based upon a change of existing policy and/or upon new information made available to Babe Ruth League, Inc."

For comprehensive USA Bat information Click Here to view the guide online.

Babe Ruth League Bat Rules

T-Ball

USA Baseball T-Ball Stamp

Cal-Ripken Baseball

USA Baseball Marking 2 5/8" Barrel Maximum NO BBCOR BATS

Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15

USA Baseball Marking or BBCOR .50 2 5/8” Barrel

Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18

All Bats Must Be BBCOR .50

Babe Ruth Softball

Marked as "Official Softball Bat" or "Official Fastpitch Bat"

Note: Solid one piece wood bats are permitted for use in all divisions and must conform to Rule 1.10. No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a game.

Tampering or altering bats may violate certain federal and state laws and voids the USA Baseball certification, as well as all manufacturer warranties. Rolling is considered tampering and would void the bat’s certification and make it illegal for play.

The International Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes beginning with the 2023 season. These changes will be reflected in the 2023 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations.

Cal Ripken Baseball, League Age 8, 9, 10, Tournament Regulations - Rule 11.05, Paragraph 4(a) – A pitcher shall not deliver more than 75 pitches in the same game or on the same day.

Cal Ripken Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Softball Division, Babe Ruth Buddy Ball Division - Jewelry is permitted in all divisions of Babe Ruth League Inc. Umpires have the authority to remove anything believed to distract or increase risk to player safety. Medical alert or religious bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry.”

Cal Ripken Major 60 World Series (11/12-year-old players) - Due to the decline in player participation at the State Tournaments and Regional Tournaments, the Cal Ripken Major 60 World Series has been eliminated. Individual States and Regions are permitted to host a Cal Ripken Major 60 tournament if so desired.

Cal Ripken Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Baseball Division, Babe Ruth Softball Division Tournament Team Administration Fees –

Softball Tournament Teams - 8U; 10U; 12U; 14U; 16U and 18U - $50

Babe Ruth Softball Division - Rule 8.02 (The Pitcher)

(a) The pitch starts when one hand is off the ball, or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of the windup. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter, and simultaneously with the delivery of the ball to the batter. Towards the batter is interpreted as within the twenty-four” length of the pitcher’s plate.

(b) For a legal delivery: The pitcher is allowed to have their pivot foot remain in contact with the pitcher's plate, push off and drag away from the pitcher, or leap with both feet in the air simultaneously.

Note: Allowing the pitcher to have both feet in the air does not allow pitchers to crow-hop or re-plant. These two actions are illegal.

Babe Ruth Softball Division - Illegal Pitch, Rule 8.06 Penalty - Remove the penalty of advancing a runner one base on illegal pitch for 8.01 - 8.06. All other parts of the penalty remain the same.

Babe Ruth Softball Division - Courtesy Runner - Add to existing rule - After a team has used its eligible players for this rule, teams shall be allowed to use its last completed at bat to run for the pitcher or catcher.

The International Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes beginning with the 2022 season. These changes will be reflected in the 2022 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations.

1. Tournament Regulations - Rule 11.02, Team Composition, Number 1(b), NOTE (Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball) - At no time is it permissible for a player, manager, or coach to appear on more than one “active/participating” tournament team roster in the same year.

2. Tournament Regulations - Rule 11.05, Playing Rules, Number 4, NOTE (Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball)– Note has been deleted: No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three (3) consecutive days regardless of the pitch count.

3. Tournament Regulations- Rule 11.05, Playing Rules, Number 4(a), Tournament Pitching Rules (Cal Ripken Baseball) – League Age 7-8: No pitcher is allowed to pitch in more than six (6) innings in a day or a total of six (6) innings in two successive days. If a pitcher pitches six (6) innings in a day, the pitcher must have one (1) calendar day rest. If a pitcher pitches a total of six (6) innings in two successive days, the pitcher must have one (1) calendar day rest.

4. Tournament Regulations - Rule 11.06, Jurisdiction, Number 7 (Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball) - The host teams for all divisions of baseball having received eligibility approval from Babe Ruth League, Inc., and at their League President’s discretion, shall be eligible to enter official tournament competition beginning at the District Tournament level.

5. Tournament Regulations - Rule 11.06, Jurisdiction, Number 10 (Babe Ruth 16-18 Baseball) – The following has been deleted: The Host Family Plan will be used in the Babe Ruth 16–18-Year-Old World Series.

6. Cap Emblem Option (Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball) - Delete “not including the World Series.”

7. Rule 12.00, Babe Ruth League, Inc., Powers of District, State and Regional Commissioners, Number 6 - Annual State fees may be established. State fees, as well as any other league or team assessments, must be submitted and approved in writing by the Regional Commissioner and Babe Ruth League Inc.

8. Babe Ruth Softball Rule 1.15 (b) - No pitcher shall attach to her glove any foreign material of a color different from the glove. The pitcher may wear her batting glove on her non-pitching hand under her pitcher’s glove, provided the batting glove is not optic yellow.

Rhode Island - Baseball & Softball

Service Rep: Bernadette Marco

Help Desk for Leagues: 1-800-880-3142

Email:  bernadette@baberuthleague.org

 

COMMISSIONER TOLL FREE LINE: 1-800-552-1330

NEW ADDRESS:

BABE RUTH LEAGUE, INC.
1670 WHITEHORSE-MERCERVILLE ROAD
HAMILTON, NJ 08619