Demarini Vendetta Bat

[Steven Tyler]

I saw a Reebok Vector 0 yesterday. It doesn't look as if it should be made illegal. it was properly stamped BESR.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I saw a Reebok Vector 0 yesterday. It doesn't look as if it should be made illegal. it was properly stamped BESR.

BESR is only one criterion that a bat must have to be legal.

[JJ]

At the Illinois High School Interpreter's meeting we were told the Vendetta bat AND the Reebok were both ILLEGAL. Last week we got an email from Dave Gannaway, the IHSA Baseball guru, that the Vendetta was now LEGAL but the Reebok was still ILLEGAL. He gave no reasoning.
My bet is we wait a bit longer until the FED decides what IT wants to do, and then the IHSA will fall in line. Rule changes "on the fly"... I find it interesting that the rule book says "smooth cylinder", so there is support in black and white that would EASILY disallow these "gimmick" bats. By starting to make exceptions the FED has opened a can of worms and will necessitate individual rulings on many more such items in the years to come.

JJ

[MrUmpire]

FED could use a back bone transplant.

[JJ]

I just received an email from the IHSA's Baseball guy, and both the Demarini Vendetta bat and the Reebok Vector O bat are now LEGAL in Illinois. As I suspected, the IHSA is going with the NFHS ruling.

JJ

[johnnyg08]

it really makes minimal difference to us as officials...we're not shelling out hundreds of dollars for a bat. this will be one slide in the rules meeting...game, set, match.

[bbsbvb83]

Originally Posted by JJ

I just received an email from the IHSA's Baseball guy, and both the Demarini Vendetta bat and the Reebok Vector O bat are now LEGAL in Illinois. As I suspected, the IHSA is going with the NFHS ruling.

JJ

The following message is now posted in the "Case Plays" portion of the IHSA (Illinois) Officials' Center and Schools' Center:

"2/14 Illegal Bat

Boys Baseball

Coaches,

It is very important that you notify your baseball players that one bat meets the BESR certification but is illegal by rule since it is not round on the handle. The Reebock Vector O has been identified by the NFHS an Illegal bat.


THE NFHS HAS JUST NOTIFIED ALL STATE ASSOCIATIONS THIS BAT WILL BE LEGAL.

DAVE GANNAWAY
IHSA"

[yawetag]

Wow. If we changed our mind this much in a game, we'd never see a field again.