We got this in an email from our state high school association dated 2/6:

So in a week and a half they have changed their minds from the state clinic where they spent a few minutes talking about the bats and even brought in the Vendetta so we all knew what it looked like.

Give it a few weeks and it will change again.

Ok,
 

I received the following e-mail from Eliot Hopkins of the NFHS today. The NFHS sent this e-mail to all SRIs in all FED states baseball programs.

The following bats are deemed LEGAL for use by the NFHS:

1) DeMarini Vendetta
2) Reebok Vector O
3) NIKE Aero Fuse

This pretty much closes the book in Oregon.

Regards,

so basically we're still looking for the BESR stamp right?

So does anyone really know if the state reps were acting on their own in the initial assessment or did FED really cross them up?

Good gracious Marie! You want to talk about "crossed up"...

Last week our local rules interpreter told us that these two bats had been declared illegal...BUT...that there was a review pending and the possibility remained that the bats would be allowed. He promised to update us as soon as he had more info.

During the course of this past week, several discussion boards have posted memos from various FED sources telling us that the bats have been deemed legal. Good enough- that clears that up.

At tonight's meeting, our interperter starts off by saying he has an update on the two bats. "Great!", I think- now everybody in our association will be on the same page and we won't have any issues with these bats once the season starts.

He then proceeds to tell us that he received a memo from Kyle McNeely of the NFHS Rules Committee that stated the Rebok bat had been reviewed and approved...BUT (another BUT)...THE DIMARINI BAT AT THIS TIME IS STILL ILLEGAL!

In the course of one week, I have heard rulings that both bats were illegal, that both bats are legal and that one bat is legal, the other isn't!

I don't think that you can get any more "crossed up" than that...man, you just gotta love a good cluster..ummm...cross up.

Don't forget about the Mattingly bat. It is also legal for use in FED.

Last I heard the new version DeMarini bat had not yet received a BESR rating, though it was diue shortly. From What Tim C posted looks like it was all worked out.

IMO if Fed & NCAA both say OK no reason why other non-pro leagues should have an issue.

FED has posted the official answer on their web site. The memo is dated Feb 5.

http://www.nfhs.org/web/2009/02/revi...ball_bats.aspx

It might be dated Feb 5, but it wasn't posted on the web-site until some time yesterday (I don't recall at what time I checked the site, looking for such a memo).

Tim C said he got the e-mail the 9th.

Still doesn't answer ny question as to whether the state guys were acting on their own or whether there was a prior advisory from FED that they were illegal.

As other posters have written...we should simply wait for our state rulings to come out right? The states organizations under the Nat'l Federation can set their own rules w/ respect to this type of stuff right?

They can provided they have their own bat regulations. What they may not do is rule the bats illegal and cite FED regulations as their authority since FED, the publisher and owner of said regulations, has said that under their regulations the bats are legal.

Which is what I stated in my original post. What I do not understand, Tim, is how can a State change this rule?

FED baseball rule book, page one:

"Member associations of the NFHS independently make decisions regarding compliance with or modification of these playing rules for the student-athletes in their respective states."

States are free to modify, adopt or ignore any rule as they see fit. So, yes, they can do it. That doesn't always mean it's clear why they do it, or that doing it is the best solution.

What gives?
 

When I check the NFHS site, #3 is not listed. Did you get a different memo that what is posted on the NFHS site? Is NFHS deliberately trying to muddy the waters?