Is BBCOR required in high school baseball?
Yes, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons: a high-school bat that is not solid wood must carry the BBCOR mark, at a −3 drop, with a barrel up to 2-5/8 in. The rule changes from the 2028 season: read it below for the year your player starts. Solid one-piece wood needs no mark.
The rule
BBCOR .50, -3, 2-5/8 in max, 36 in max; USABat -4/-5/-6 added from the 2028 season.
Solid one-piece wood is legal everywhere without a mark; multi-piece or laminated wood needs the league's mark.
BBCOR stamp
Required for high school and college: drop -3, barrel up to 2-5/8 in. From the 2028 season high school will also allow USA -4, -5 and -6 bats; 2026 and 2027 stay BBCOR only.
Where this comes from
- published High school (NFHS) 2026 and 2027 seasons: USA Baseball - High School Baseball to Expand Drop Weight Options
- published Any league: USA Baseball - Bats FAQ
- Our explainer: BBCOR stamp
Every rule, with its source, is on How the fit works.
More in bat guides
- What size bat for a 7-year-old?A 7-year-old usually swings a −13 to −12 bat.
- What size bat for an 8-year-old?An 8-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for a 9-year-old?A 9-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for a 10-year-old?A 10-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for an 11-year-old?An 11-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat, or −8 for a bigger, stronger player.
- What size bat for a 12-year-old?A 12-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat, or −8 for a bigger, stronger player.
- What size bat for a 13-year-old?A 13-year-old usually swings a −5 bat.
- What size bat for tee ball?A tee-ball bat is 24 to 26 in long with a 2-1/4 in barrel, at a drop of −14 to −10.5, and carries the USA Baseball tee-ball mark: it is only for use with approved tee balls.