What is the difference between USA, USSSA and BBCOR bats?
They are the marks different leagues require on a metal bat: USA Baseball in Little League and most rec leagues, USSSA in travel ball, and BBCOR in high school and college. A bat without the mark your league names is turned away at the plate; solid one-piece wood needs no mark.
USA Baseball stamp
Required in Little League Majors and below, Cal Ripken, PONY, Dixie and most rec leagues for players 14 and under. Barrel up to 2-5/8 in, no drop limit.
If your league says USA bat, a USSSA bat will be turned away at the plate.
USSSA stamp
The travel-ball stamp (1.15 BPF mark on the taper). Hotter than USA bats, barrels up to 2-3/4 in. Drop limits vary by state and age group.
Travel teams usually mean USSSA; ask the coach which state rules apply.
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.
Which league needs which
| League | The mark a metal bat needs |
|---|---|
| Little League: Minors, Majors | USA Baseball |
| Little League: Intermediate (50/70), Junior | USA Baseball or BBCOR |
| Little League: Senior | BBCOR |
| Cal Ripken | USA Baseball |
| Babe Ruth 13-16 | USA Baseball or BBCOR |
| PONY | USA Baseball or BBCOR |
| DYB | USA Baseball |
| USSSA: 14U and under | USSSA 1.15 or BBCOR |
| USSSA: 15U and up | BBCOR |
| High school | BBCOR |
| College | BBCOR |
Where this comes from
- published Little League Majors and below: Little League - Bat Rules
- published Little League Intermediate (50/70) or Junior: Little League - Bat Information
- published Little League Senior: Little League - Bat Information
- published Cal Ripken (Babe Ruth) divisions: Babe Ruth League - League Bat Rules
- published Babe Ruth 13-16: Babe Ruth League - League Bat Rules
- published PONY: PONY West Zone - Bat Information
- published Diamond Youth Baseball (formerly Dixie), all divisions: 2026 DYB Official Playing Rules
- published USSSA 14U and under: USSSA - Baseball Bat New Mark Rules
- published USSSA 15U and above: USSSA - Baseball Bat New Mark Rules
- published High school (NFHS) 2026 and 2027 seasons: USA Baseball - High School Baseball to Expand Drop Weight Options
- published NCAA: USA Baseball - About USA BBCOR
- published Any league: USA Baseball - Bats FAQ
- Our explainer: USA Baseball stamp
- Our explainer: USSSA stamp
- 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.