USFA follows all safety guidelines established by ASA (National Governing Body of Softball) to include the approved bat list.

The official bat in USFA play must meet the requirements ASA has outlined below:

1. must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, and must not be listed on an ASA non approved list, or
2. must be included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or
3. must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.

Beginning January 1, 2005, all bats used in USFA play must pass the ASA 2004 bat standard. All bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in USFA Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not be allowed in USFA Play unless they are listed on an approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, see the Non-Approved Bat Link Below

2004 and Beyond Non Approved Bats

Please click on the following PDF for a list of bats that do not meet the ASA's 2004 bat standard and thus cannot be used in USFA play.

Click here for n Approved Bats
(current listing, no changes as of December 5, 2005)

Click here for 2004 Non Approved Bats with pictures
(current listing, no changes as of December 5, 2005)

USFA Equipment Compliance
(added January 2006)
This page is kept as current as possible, however due to time-sensitive informational issues regarding player safety and equipment usage, USFA reserves the right to disallow/ban bats that have been deemed unsafe for tournament play without prior notice. Player safety is the #1 priority of USFA and our umpires and directors are tasked with the job of caring out these policies.

Penalty for Non Approved Equipment
(added January 2006)
If a player is found using a Non Approved bat during tournament play, both that player and the head coach will be subject to ejection of the game. Equipment compliance is only a game protest issue if the protest occurs prior to the next pitch being thrown. If the protest is based upon the last play of the game, it must be addressed prior to leaving the field of play.