NFHS Illegal Bat
 

What are the penalties for using an illegal bat in NFHS competition? Does the opposing team need to point it out, or can the umpire call it if they see it? Can it be questioned at any time during the at bat or do you need to wait until the at bat is complete?

Ejection for both player and coach. Defensive coach or umpire may detect the illegal bat.

Batter is out when...
ART. 2... The batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat or is discovered having used an illegal bat and the infraction is detected before the next legal or illegal pitch (only the umpire or defense may detect an illegal bat).
2023 NFHS Softball Rules Book - NFHS © 2022

Oi. Keep reading, and use the definition of an illegal bat.

Ejection for both player and coach

ONLY for altered or unapproved, not for just illegal.

I wouldnt call damaged bats as illegal per NFHS because the way the rules are written. Technically, they fall under the illegal bat rule but in that same rule it calls it a bat damaged. The rule should be seperated, especially since the penalties are different. For illegal, the penalty is immediate upon discovery(assuming found during the AB or the first pitch after the AB is over). Damaged, the next use of the bat after being discovered is penalized with restrictions.

ART. 1... The bat shall:.

c. Be free of rattles, dents, burrs, cracks and sharp edges that might deface the ball. These bats are considered damaged and removed from the game without penalty.
2023 NFHS Softball Rules Book - NFHS © 2022



ART. 2... Illegal Bat – A bat that does not meet the specifications in Rule 1-5 and subject to penalty as in Rule 7-4-2, including:

a. Altered Bat – A bat that was once legal, but has been structurally changed including, but not limited to: shaving, rolling or artificially warming the bat barrel.

b. Non-approved Bat – A bat that does not meet USA Softball specifications or has been placed on the current USA Softball Non-Approved Bats with Certification Marks list (www.usasoftball.com).

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ART. 3... Damaged Bat – A bat that was once legal but is broken, cracked, dented, rattles or has sharp edges that might deface the ball. Damaged bats when initially detected shall be removed from the game without penalty as in Rule 7-4-2 PENALTY NOTE. If this damaged bat that was removed from play by an umpire is detected a second time in the game, the batter shall be called out. The batter and head coach are also restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. (7-4-15)
2023 NFHS Softball Rules Book - NFHS © 2022