Painted wood bats

[Coach McCord]

I have been ordering blank wood bats from Ben Aaron bats and have been researching the legality of painting them myself. I have decided to use all-wood bats this year for my HS team in hopes there would be no issues with BBCOR. I have written many letters to different organizations, the reply below is what I am following as a guideline.


Mr. McCord,
Wood bats are permissible in high school baseball competition as long as they meet the requirements of having the diameter 2 ¾ inches or less at the thickest part and be 36 inches or less in length. We do not have criteria for paint or logo design. Thanks for the inquiry.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor

[CT1]

Just out of curiosity:

Why does anyone care if the bats are painted at all?

[yawetag]

The only thing I'd worry about is 1-3-2a-3: "Bats that ... deface the ball are illegal."

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by CT1

Just out of curiosity:

Why does anyone care if the bats are painted at all?

LL bans bats painted at home. The concern is that the paint may mask unsafe conditions and/or alterations..

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Coach McCord

I have been ordering blank wood bats from Ben Aaron bats and have been researching the legality of painting them myself. I have decided to use all-wood bats this year for my HS team in hopes there would be no issues with BBCOR. I have written many letters to different organizations, the reply below is what I am following as a guideline.


Mr. McCord,
Wood bats are permissible in high school baseball competition as long as they meet the requirements of having the diameter 2 ¾ inches or less at the thickest part and be 36 inches or less in length. We do not have criteria for paint or logo design. Thanks for the inquiry.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor

Personally, I would not paint a wood bat. I have no problem with bats that are painted at the factory because they use quality lacquer and proper preparation, application and it's all done in a controlled environment.

If you do this at home, you will achieve a nice look but what happens when the bat is used? It's going to look terrible after a couple of hits because you cannot duplicate the factory work at home.

I applaud you for breaking from the metal mania and going back to basics. Besides, nothing looks better in a batter's hands than a piece of lumber.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Coach McCord

I have been ordering blank wood bats from Ben Aaron bats and have been researching the legality of painting them myself. I have decided to use all-wood bats this year for my HS team in hopes there would be no issues with BBCOR. I have written many letters to different organizations, the reply below is what I am following as a guideline.


Mr. McCord,
Wood bats are permissible in high school baseball competition as long as they meet the requirements of having the diameter 2 ¾ inches or less at the thickest part and be 36 inches or less in length. We do not have criteria for paint or logo design. Thanks for the inquiry.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor

I would prefer the natural colored bats to a painted one. You can take some fine sandpaper to get the lacquer coat off. They grip better, and give the bat a little roughness which helps some.