Effective January 1, 2018, all 2 5/8" bats and 2 1/4" bats must meet new performance standards established by USA Baseball, the national governing body of amateur baseball in the United States (2 ¾" bats are not allowed in Dixie youth Baseball).  The new bats have been available for purchase for a couple of  months now; however, many stores still have the old bats for sale as well.  All BPF 1.15 bats will not be approved for Dixie Youth Baseball tournament play beginning in 2018. Beginning in 2018, all legal bats will NOT show "Approved for Play in Dixie Youth Baseball" on the barrel of the bat but will show the following stamp 1-2 inches above the grip of the bat: