Is Bat Shaving Illegal?

What is Bat Shaving?

By Jacob R. McDaniels January 26th, 2018 09:07 CST

Is Bat Shaving Illegal?

Yes, bat shaving is illegal. Every league or sanction has something written about altering a bat; which is considered bat shaving.

National Federation of High School Associations Rules

Materials inside the bat or treatments/devices used to alter the bat specifications and/or enhance performance are prohibited and render the bat illegal.

Little League Rules

No bat, in any level of Little League Baseball or Softball play, is permitted to be altered. This is of particular concern especially when it is clearly done to enhance performance and violate bat standards.

Amateur Softball Association Rules

Altered Bat: When the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed.

United States Specialty Sports Association
Rules

Altered Bats - Excessive Pressure
Included in the USSSA view of what is an altered or doctored bat are any bats that are subjected to pressure in any manner that exceeds....

National Softball Association Rules

An altered bat is considered altered when the physical structure of the legal bat has been changed in any way, or when an illegal or non approved bat has been made up in such a way as to appear to be a legal bat.

Senior Softball USA Rules

A bat is considered altered when the physical characteristics of a legal softball bat or ball have been changed. Replacing the handle of a metal bat with a wooden or other type handle, inserting material inside the bat etc.,

NCAA Rules

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

As you can see, there are many associations that recognize what an altered bat (bat shaving) is capable of, and therefore they ban the use of them in any sanctioned play. I am unaware of any place a shaved bat would be legal except in batting practice or homerun derbies.