Since January 2024, few bats in baseball and fastpitch have been deemed illegal, with slowpitch softball experiencing more frequent bans. The last bans in baseball were in 2022 and we cover those below.
Recent Illegal Bat Announcements
Not a lot in baseball and fastpitch has yet been deemed illegal in since January 2024, the last illegality was confirmed in baseball in August of 2022.
Slowpitch softball, which we try to cover below, seems to have so many that it’s hard to keep track of.
For a list of approved BBCOR and USA bats, check out our BBCOR-approved bat list and our USA-approved bat list.
Stinger Missile 2 – 33/30 BBCOR
In August 2022, the Stinger Missile II in BBCOR was found to be overperforming the limit. The 33-inch model has been declared illegal and banned effective immediately.
Cooperstown All-Star Village
Cooperstown All-Star Village has banned all bats with an old USSSA stamp.
Perfect Game Bat Bans 2021
Starting in 2021, Perfect Game has banned all USSSA banned bats, the 2017 DeMarini CF drop 5, the 2016 USSSA CF8 line of bats (5, 8, 10), and the 2015 CF7 in a drop 5, and the 2015 Eaton XL1 in a drop 5.
NCAA 2020 Meta
As of 2/21, the 2020 Louisville Slugger Meta in a 33-inch has been decertified (made illegal) for NCAA play.
High School (NFHS) 2020 Meta
In 3/2/2020, the 2020 Meta Prime in a 33-inch was declared illegal for play in NFHS. The 2019 version of the bat (the red one) is still legal in both NFHS and NCAA.
For more information, check out our guide to baseball bat rules.
Illegal Baseball Bats as of 5/9/2023
| Year | League | Brand | Model | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | USSSA | DeMarini | 2 3/4 Drop 10 (blue/white)* | Amazon |
| 2017 | USSSA | DeMarini | 2 5/8 Drop 8 (green/white)* | Amazon |
| 2018 | USA Bats | Easton | Ghost X 30-inch | Amazon |
| 2022 | BBCOR | Stinger Missle II | 33-inch | eBay |
| 2020 | BBCOR | Slugger Meta 33 | 33-inch | Amazon |
| 2018 | USSSA | Dirty South Bats | KAMO (**Sizes) | |
| BBCOR | Mattingly | Balistk | ||
| BBCOR | Nike | CX2 | eBay | |
| BBCOR | Slugger | TPX Dynasty | eBay | |
| BBCOR | Marucci | CAT 5^2 | eBay | |
| BBCOR | Reebok | TLS | eBay |
*The 2017 CF Zen USSSA lost its 1.15 certification in all sizes and lengths of the drop 10 2 3/4 (blue and white) and drop 8 (green and white). As well, the bats zero dark thirty and custom versions are also decertified. Serial numbers that start with: WTDXCBR & WTDXCBZ.
**The DSB KAMO lost its 1.15 certification in the 31 and 32 drop 10 (so 31/21 & 32/22) as well as the 30, 31, and 32 drop 8 (30/22, 31/23, 32/24).
The DeMarini 2018 CF Zen: LEGAL
After a huge amount of clamor, USSSA decided that the 2018 CF Zen is now re-LEGAL for play. They are removed from the banned list. We have updated the information below. You can find insight/return information via DeMarini here.
Updated 6/6/2018
After their first further consideration, all sizes in the CBZ drop 10 DeMarini 2018 CF Zen are LEGAL for play.
Updated: 5/4/2018
USSSA adds the 28, 29, and 30-inch 2018 CF Zen to the banned list, including the 31 and 32 of the same bat. They also clarify the 2018 Ghost X USA will NOT be allowed in USSSA games.
You can read about CF Zen’s legal problems in more detail here.
2018 Easton USA Ghost X 30/20: NOT LEGAL
Updated: 5/3/2018
USA Baseball decertified (made illegal) the USA Easton Ghost X bat in a 30-inch drop 10in the 30/20 on 5/3/2018.
From what we’ve read on social media, Easton is offering a $500 voucher on their website for the return of a legitimately purchased USA Ghost X.
Return questions via Easton can be directed toEaston via email atghostreturn@easton.comor 1-844-531-7079.
More information can be found on USA Bats decertified bats page.
Dirty South Bats KAMO: NOT LEGAL
Also…
The USSSA announced on 4/12/2018 at 4 pm PST that the Dirty South KAMO with serial numberBB KA 8 is illegal for play in the following sizes: two drop 10’s and three drop 8’s (30/22 31/21 32/22 31/23 32/24).
The DSB KAMO (BB KA 8) has been withdrawn from USSSA play. This means, in not so many words, the bat is now banned from play. This includes the 30/22, 31/21, 32/22, 31/23, 32/24.
All the people saying Dirty South bats were hot were, clearly, right. A little too much so.
We are sure it is a massive headache to deal with, but they might take some solace in knowing they are in good company for what it’s worth. They don’t make crappy bats illegal. (See our DSB Made USA Bat Review. This one is perfectly legal). And we should note several of the KAMOs are still permitted.
Will they (DSB) be able to withstand the capital and inventory issues associated with getting a marquee bat of theirs recalled? If they can, expect them to get a long-term bump (akin to Anderson and Techzilla).
These bats are the banned KAMOs (including three drop 8’s and two drop 10’s).
- 30/22
- 31/23
- 32/24
- 31/21
- 32/22
2017 DeMarini CF Zen Banning
With the recent, and rather high profile, “temporary” decertificationof the 2 3/4 DeMarini CF Zen drop 10, we wondered what other bats have been de-certified over the years. It is not easy to find such a list. Likely, we have decided, because there have not been many baseball bats over the years that have been banned. Slowpitch softball has seen the worst offenders—with at least a dozen bats getting banned over the years. In the baseball space, we have found only three in the last five, and we have yet to find a fastpitch bat to get the boot.
Illegal Bat List Sources
A few sites had a good list of softball bats that have been banned over the years. It does not look to be updated very recently but it was useful nonetheless. As well, SFsoftball has a similar list.
On the baseball side, one league site has at least some information on what bats are banned. The Texas Association of Sports Officials appears to be keeping at least some tabs on what bats are illegal.
Although it does not tell you what bats are decertified, the WSU sitetells you what bats may have been initially certified.
De-certification Processes
To become certified, a bat must pass a particular standard the governing body sets. An independent sports science lab performs these tests at a major university. If the bat passes, it is eligible to carry the stamping of the association.
However, throughout the year, governing bodies randomly test bats. Picture it much like random drug testing at the Olympics. These governing bodies can buy the bats directly on the shelf or take them from tournaments now. They are sent to the lab and then tested.
If a bat does not pass, it is removed from play and becomes “decertified.”
Older Illegal Baseball Bats
Although likely others, we can find three bats that have lost their certification over the last few years in the baseball space. They include the CF ZEN 2 3/4 Drop 10, the Marucci CAT 5-squared in 32 and 33 BBCOR, and the Reebok TLS. Those three lost their certification in both high school and collegiate play. The Marucci Black 33 and 34-inch bat lost its accreditation for NCAA play only.
Mattingly Balistk
Trying to make a play on the scene, the Mattingly brand of bats (eBay)produced a super hot stick in the Balistk. Apparently, too hot. Mattingly bats never quite took hold, and, as of today, they’ve yet to produce a new bat in years.
Nike CX2
A few years back, Nike made a serious run (eBay) at the baseball bat space. However, the CX2 losing its certification appeared to mark the beginning of the end for the Nike Bat experiment.
Find one on eBay.
Louisville Slugger’s TPX Dynasty 2012
Holding the distinct honor as the only drop 12 bats to lose its certification, Louisville Slugger’s 2012 Dynasty was one of the first BPF bats to be banned.
CF ZEN 2 3/4 Drop 10
As the only non-BBCOR bat on the list, the CF ZEN 2 3/4 was a dynamite bat that people raved about. It did have some durability concerns, but people still bought the bat in droves as it gave little Timmy’s across the universe chances to hit it into the stratosphere.
Find a CF Zen 2 3/4 Drop 10 on eBay.
CAT 5^2 BBCOR 33 and 34
The CAT 5^2 (5-Squared) in BBCOR was a beastly bomb dropper known for killing balls. It put Marucci on the map but also got de-certified after folks found it too hot to handle. But it’s still legal in a 32, and it is AMAZING.
Reebok TLS
Most were not aware Reebok made a baseball bat. Indeed, theTLS was legit (eBay). But it became decertified, and Reebok never quite recovered in the bat space. The BBCOR 33-inch was banned in both high school and collegiate play.
Marucci Black
The Marucci Black (eBay) bat has the distinct honor of getting banned by the NCAA but not by the NFHS. College said you’re out while high school told you’re safe. A strange turn of events, and we don’t quite follow how that could happen, considering both leagues use the same standard. Nonetheless, there it is.
Illegal Softball Bats
The list of unlawful softball bats is longer than we care to write about. Or, frankly, you should care to read about it. As an example, let us picture the ASA bats that have been decertified up until 2014 only.
