Legal Bat Attachment?
 

Are these legal for bat attachments in Fast Pitch (ASA and/or NFHS):

http://www.kellysultimatesports.com/...=71&prodid=755

ASA - He11 no. ASA 3-1-H (last sentence).

What he said!

There can be nothing added to the handle of a bat, including tape, that removes the right angle which must be maintained where the handle meets the knob of the bat. There must also be at least a 1/4" clearance from the bat handle (including legal grip) to the edge of the knob where the 90 degree angle is maintained.

NFHS... I wouldn't allow it.

I highly doubt that this is legal anywhere in the world of diamond sports, though someone who does little ball may correct me on this.

I agree I didn't think they were but Rule 3-1-H states that the safety grip may be a molded finger-formed grip as long as it is permanently attached to the bat or attached to the bat with safety tape. This kind of made me wonder if they were considered legal.

Then the last sentence points out a bat having a "flare" or "cone" grip attached will be considered an altered bat

I may be wrong on this, but I think they may be referring to something you sometimes see on golf clubs. You know, those little nubs? Or for you target shooters out there, something like a set of Hogue grips? Those aren't a safety problem, as the bat is much less likely to slip out of someone's hands during a swing.

The grip shown in this post, however, IS a safety issue. Mike referred specifically to the dimensions of the safety knob relative to the grip of the bat. That 90 degree angle and the minimum of 1/4" helps to keep that bat in a batter's hands. The grip you're asking about takes all of that way, making it a huge safety issue.

I can't imagine any rule association permitting it, especially ones where you have varying age groups (as opposed to college-age kids in NCAA, but I'd be surprised if they didn't ban it, too).

This refers to a molded piece which is allowed to be under a maximum of two layers of tape that is formed for finger placement. It is not attached to or flaring out from the knob.

I haven't seen a bat with this in years and don't even know if it is available any longer.

Mike, for a trip down amnesia lane...

About two years ago, we had a player show up to a state tourney with none other than...

... a 3-sided bat. :eek:

Wow
 

Anyone remember "The Wave" water-filled bat?

*raises his hand* I certainly do.

How about the bats with a double-bend in the handle for those who would swing the bat early?

A friend of mine actually had one.

At the Men's C FP, we had to have about one of these per game removed from a bat....

We are removing them all the time.....well, at least the umpires that actually check bats and know what to do when they find something like this.

Of course, I'm the only umpire in the world that does this.:rolleyes: