What Is The Difference Between USA and USSSA Youth Baseball Bats?

Have you searched for a youth baseball bat for your child and noticed both USA and USSSA models to purchase? Knowing the difference between the two will help you pick the right bat for your young ballplayer.

What is the difference between USA and USSSA certifications?

The biggest difference between the two is the leagues that the bats are eligible to be used in. If you have a ballplayer in these following leagues, you will need a bat that follows USA standards:

• AABC
• Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball
• Dixie Youth Baseball
• Dixie Boys Baseball
• Little League Baseball
• PONY Baseball

If you are a member of a “travel ball” league or “tournament” team, you will abide by the USSSA rules. They seek to promote high-quality baseball that engages younger players with a continued desire in the sport.

USA Bat Rules

The members of the USA Baseball organization wanted to protect the integrity of the game by creating youth baseball bats that performed more like a wood bat.

The USA bat guidelines indicate different rules for each age group from 10U/11U/12U up to 16U/17U. They have length, bat drop, and material restrictions that you must pay close attention to based on the age of your player.

View the best USA bats.

USSSA Bat Rules

Conversely, USSSA baseball bats are designed to give the batter a better performance advantage and confidence with bigger barrels (2 3/4″) and lighter weight.

Baseball players who compete in USSSA baseball tournaments that aren’t associated with the USA leagues listed above are recommended to buy bats with the USSSA stamp on them. The USSSA organization believes adopting a bat standard with less performance will reduce the competitive nature of the game.

• Must have the 1.15 BPF USSSA stamp on the taper OR
• Have the Certified .50 BBCOR stamp (-3) OR
• Be a Wood Bat
• Barrel diameter cannot exceed 2 ¾”
• All must be manufactured by an approved USSSA bat manufacturer

View the best USSSA bats.

What are the best baseball bats for each league?

If you’re looking for the best youth baseball bats for each league by bat drop and age group, we have you covered. We scan and review bats each year to determine the bats that are going to help your player deliver big base hits on the field.