April 4-5, 2003 Summit Meeting 1 April 4-5, 2003 Summit Meeting Oklahoma City, OK

April 4-5, 2003Summit Meeting

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Oklahoma City, OK


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1. When should all bat recalls be concluded?

• 5/31/03 is the latest date mentioned by responding manufacturers.

• This gives enough time for word to have gotten out, and for players to respond.

• We have asked manufacturers to respond individually to ASA on this issue.


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2. What are your specific comments on the proposed new ASTM bat standard?

• Manufacturers who responded generally support the new standard, which gives data closer to the game situation.

• The data must be relevant, accurate, and repeatable.

• Output should be bat/ball COR or BPF to avoid conflict with "old" 125 ft/sec limit.

• ASA needs to define player parameters for various leagues, at least as a reference.

• Before implementing, at least 2 labs should be certified to this standard with achievable precision and calibrated on a specified schedule.


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3. What are your specific recommendations on the bat swing speed and ball pitch speed that ASA should require to be used in Attachment B to the ASA license agreement, in light of the Montgomery field test results?

• Manufacturers recommend a move to a universal standard that applies to all swing and pitch speeds. (Presentation to follow.)

• Defined by one bat/ball COR with measured hit speeds and their associated bat/ball COR.


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4. If a new bat standard is adopted, what specific recommendations do you have for an implementation date? What recommendations do you have with respect to grandfathering bats under the new standard, including whether grandfathering should be done and if so, for how long?

• A minimum of 2 years time is required for implementation of a new standard, for manufacturers to redesign, test, and manufacture the new bats, and to deplete existing inventory.

• To protect players who purchased the bats, an additional two-years grandfathering on bats that meet the current standard are recommended.

• June 1 is the recommended start date in the year of implementation, which generally coincides with new model introduction.


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5. What is the typical range of COR and compression values for cork-centered balls that you manufacture?

• Rawlings: COR .45-.47 and compression 150-225 lb.

• Wilson: COR .42-.45 and compression 200-300 lb.

• Worth: COR .44 and .47 and compression is 375 lb. Max.

• Dudley: COR .43-.44 (Slow pitch), .45-.47 (Fast pitch).

• Diamond: COR .425 -.457 and compression is 200 –300 lb.


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6. What specific thoughts do you have about the idea to test ball compression at same speed as ball COR - the so-called dynamic compression test method idea? At what speed would you recommend testing ball COR and ball compression?

• Technically should not be called a “compression” test, rather is a dynamic “impulse” test.

• We need specifics on cost, implementation and validity as well as data on old versus new methods.

• We need ball impulse test data to evaluate appropriate speed. It is more complex due to heat build up, repeatability and equivalency issues.


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7. Do you have any comments on any of the bat and/or ball playing rule changes adopted by ASA, effective this year, or in 2004? If so, please provide us your specific comments.

• Bat: We propose a Universal Bat Standard, established by a specific bat/ball COR, which will allow you to encompass batted ball speeds for all levels of play.

• Ball: We have undergone significant expense this year

converting to the .44/375 ball line and increasing the minimum weights and sizes. We request that no changes be made until the 2005 season, if warranted at all.


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8. Do you have any comments on the round robin test lab program that ASA recently proposed? If so, please provide us your specific comments.

• Responding manufacturers support multiple labs and round-robin testing.

• A standard test ball must be used for all labs.

• Manufacturers need a vehicle to know which labs are certified at any time.

• We further propose that manufacturer labs be certifiable if they meet ASTM and round-robin standards.


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9. What are your comments, if any, on whether FP bats should be held to a different standard than SP bats?

• Different speeds are present and could be shown as a reference. • If a proposed bat universal standard such as COR or BPF is used,

the same standard would apply to all levels of fast pitch and slow pitch.

• If the standard does change, it would require ample lead time (see

#4).


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10. Are you providing bats or balls, to any softball player or team, that differs in any way whatsoever from bats or balls that were tested for initial certification purposes?

• All responding manufacturers answered NO.

• We have asked manufacturers having further comments to respond to ASA directly.


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11. If ASA wanted to adopt a different ball (i.e., new COR and compression values) for slow-pitch play in 2004, how much lead time would you need to have that ball ready and available for the 2004 season.

• Based upon inventories and manufacturing concerns, it is already too late for 2004.

• We have asked manufacturers having further comments to respond to ASA directly.


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12. What criterion would you recommend for determining an acceptable hit ball speed (Player reaction time, specific speed, certain type of bat)? Do you have a quantitative recommendation?

• "Acceptable" hit ball speed is subjective and varies widely by player type, league, training, etc. Broad-based injury data should be reviewed to assess safety risks, not assumed reaction times, anecdotal stories, etc.

• The “Universal Bat Standard” uses bat/ball COR, relating to measured batted ball speeds for levels of play.


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13. Should bats be certified at different levels of play? (Youth, adult, fast pitch, slow pitch, etc.) How would you recommend this be done?

• Responding manufacturers are generally not opposed in theory, if based on different speeds.

• Difficulty and complexity may exist at the lab, point-of-sale, and in the field, affecting participation.

• The “Universal Bat Standard” uses bat/ball COR, relating to measured batted ball speeds for all levels of play.


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14. How much can the ball compression be lowered without adversely affecting the game?

• Please define “adversely affecting the game”

• We recommend that 375 lb. compression be evaluated for at least 2 years.


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15. What is the typical range of COR and compression values for cork balls that you manufacture? Same question for kapok balls?

• Wilson: Developed low compression ball at COR: .35-.39. Compression: 20-40 lb. Does not sell Kapok at this time.

• Worth: Cork COR is .45-.47, and compression is 300-360 lb. Kapok COR is .44-.46 and compression varies from 150-240 lb. before use. Compression steadily decreases with hitting and rather quickly goes below 100 lb. Very low compression kapok balls are made as an indoor gym ball with compression of 10-15 lb., and COR around .40.

• Rawlings: COR is .45-.47, and compression averages 225 lb. for an all cork balls. Cork/PU cores tend to run higher.

• Diamond: COR is .425-.457 and compression is 200 –300 lb.

• We have asked all manufacturers with further comments to respond to ASA directly.


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16. If ASA is going to make further equipment changes in bats and/or balls, do you have any specific recommendations and comments on whether ASA's attention should be more directed toward the bats or the balls?

• Responding manufacturers generally felt that both bats and balls should be regulated; both are part of the equation.

• Locking bat performance at today's tightened levels and using available ball performance can set BBS for each level of play established by a specific bat/ball COR.


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17. Should ASA regulate bats and/or balls based on type of material involved (i.e., composition material)?

• All respondents answered NO.

- A performance standard is absolute and governs all equipment; past, present and future.

- Since materials are not always known, this would be unfair and unwieldy.

- Materials alone do not set or limit performance - we have many examples of both low and high performing bats made from the same material. The same applies to balls.


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Oklahoma City, OK


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A UNIVERSAL BAT STANDARD

Proposal from SGMAApril 4, 2003


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OBJECTIVES:

• To establish BBS limits for all levels of play.

• To eliminate the complexities of defining bat speed as

function of bat properties


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KEY ELEMENTS

• Establishes BBS limits, all levels of play

• Incorporates the human factor into the BBS

• Is based on real BBS, not calculated

• Uses existing test systems and ASTM protocol

• Uses one universal bat/ball COR limit

• Requires more field tests of BBS


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BBS = Vbat (1+e) + Vball (e — k)1 + k

PRESENT STANDARD:

• Vbat and k relationship must be established

• e and k are measured, BBS is calculated

• Accuracy depends on Vbat and k relationship


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BBS = Vbat (1+e) + Vball (e — k)1 + k

PROPOSED STANDARD:

• BBS limits established by field test

• Effects of k are part of BBS measurements

• BBS limit is assured by establishing a MAX e


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EXAMPLE OF UNIVERSAL STANDARD

LEVEL OF PLAY BBS(mph) e k Vbat(mph)

Adult Male SP 85 .594 .33 70

Adult Women FP 76 .594 .41 60

Girls 16 FP 67 .594 .43 55

Girls 14 FP 66 .594 .45 55

Girls 12 FP 56 .594 .47 48


EXAMPLE OF UNIVERSAL STANDARD

.40/17580.33.49091(2) Adult Male “A” SP

.47/525

.47/525

.47/525

.47/525

.44/375

Ball

48.47.59456Girls 12 FP

55.45.59466Girls 14 FP

55.43.59467Girls 16 FP

60.41.59476Adult Women FP

80.33.58897(1) Adult Male “A” SP

Vbat(mph)ke

BBS(mph)LEVEL OF PLAY


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SUMMARY

• Establishes BBS limits, all levels of play

• Incorporates the human factor into the BBS

• Is based on real BBS, not calculated

• Uses existing test systems and ASTM protocol

• Uses one universal bat/ball COR limit

• Requires more field tests of BBS

Documents

April 4-5, 2003 Summit Meeting 1 April 4-5, 2003 Summit Meeting Oklahoma City, OK