What is required for non-wood bats to be considered legal?

For non-wood bats to be considered legal, they must meet the BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) standard and have a visible certification mark. The BBCOR standard was established to ensure that non-wood bats perform similarly to wood bats, promoting fairness in competition. The certification mark serves as verification that the bat adheres to these performance guidelines, thus ensuring safety and consistency in gameplay.

This requirement aims to maintain a level playing field for all players, as wood bats inherently have different performance characteristics due to their materials. The certification indicates that the bat has been tested and meets specific performance standards set by governing bodies in the sport.