Demarini Vendetta Bat

[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.

[SAump]

The NCAA or NFHS were not in a legal position to issue alternate rulings on any of the other bats right away. Approval of the first change in metal bat handle design opened the door for bat manufacturers to follow. Time will tell if these new bats offer significant advantages over BESR certification requirements. The NCAA and NFHS would then have to address the entire bat making industry.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by yawetag

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

No, this is what happens when States don't contact the National before making dumb decisions. The National ruled that these bats were legal for HS play a long time ago but ISHA thought that they were better at making this decision. I guess ISHA learned their lesson.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

No, this is what happens when States don't contact the National before making dumb decisions. The National ruled that these bats were legal for HS play a long time ago but ISHA thought that they were better at making this decision. I guess ISHA learned their lesson.

Actually, there are several states that don't adhere strictly to the national FED rules, and interps are made now and then in individual states that make sense. Several years ago, when the FED recommended helmets for ball shaggers, the IHSA made them mandatory. Smart move in these litigious times. When the IHSA made their interp on the bats, they had rule support (that "smooth cylindar" part) and the FED had no idea how big this issue would be. Once the FED jumped into the fray, the IHSA had a leader in this issue they could fall in line behind. Another smart move on the part of the IHSA.
I don't think there really was any "lesson to be learned" here by the IHSA.

JJ

[Daryl H. Long]

Please stop with the whining about "once illegal - now illegal". The bottom line is the manufacturers were at fault for not presenting the bats to NF for their approval. The declaration at many state interpreter clinics that the bats were illegal was the right decision at that time. Because of the amount of talk this issue generated the manufacturers got on their horse, presented the bats for approval; in essense appealing the previous NF ruling.

Upon inspection the bats in question were deemed legal. The NF is letting the states know and the states are relaying that info to their interpreters.

Underlying proof for legality:

"In essence, if a bat meets the length, diameter, weight to length ratio criteria, and is BESR certified, it is legal for high school play. Bats that have been altered, had a foreign substance inserted into the bat, broken, cracked or dented would still be removed from the game in individual situations that arise in a game."

[johnnyg08]

I'm surprised to read a discussion about a bat on an umpiring forum going on and on and on...wonder how many pages Carl added to his BRD around the blockbuster news?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Daryl H. Long

The declaration at many state interpreter clinics that the bats were illegal was the right decision at that time.

The Mattingly bat was declared legal in a prior year. That should have been a STRONG hint that the Demarini should be considered legal.