This information is compiled directly from the Babe Ruth League Rule Book. East Bay Youth Athletics (EBYA) has not implemented additional equipment rules.

GLOVES

Fielder’s gloves cannot exceed 12 inches in length or 7 ¾ inches wide measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the glove.

The first baseman may wear a glove or mitt not more than 12 inches long from top to bottom and not more than eight inches wide across the palm.

The catcher must wear a catcher’s mitt. First baseman’s mitts and fielder’s gloves are not allowed to be worn by a catcher.

The pitcher’s glove must be one solid color other than white or gray, or if multi-colored, white and gray shall not be included in the colors. The pitcher cannot wear sunglasses or sweat bands on his/her wrists.

BATS

For the 2014 season, bats 2 ¾ inches in diameter are not allowed in any division.

Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass through the approved Babe Ruth League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed from play.

Wood bats are permissible but are generally not used at EBYA.

APPROVED BATS:
To follow up our previous correspondence and information posted on the Babe Ruth League website, the following details on all baseball bats approved by Babe Ruth League, Inc. for local league and tournament play. Such descriptions are included as part of the Babe Ruth League Rules and Regulations.

CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL DIVISION
The bat may not exceed 33"in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2¼" in diameter. Only 2¼" barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼" barrel bats are allowed.

13-15 BASEBALL DIVISION
The bat may not exceed 34" in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8" in diameter. All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed. Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed. Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.

16-18 BASEBALL DIVISION
The bat may not exceed 34" in length and the bat barrel many not exceed 2 5/8" in diameter or be greater than a -3 length to weight ratio. Only metal/composite bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 are allowed. Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.

NON-COMPLIANT BATS FOR - BABE RUTH/CAL RIPKEN:

Contained below is a current listing of non-compliant bats that are not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball program or activity.

* Babe Ruth League, Inc. has been informed that Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BTO636 (light grey), CX2-BTO573 (dark grey) and CX2-BTO598 (blue)have failed recent performance standard compliance testing.

Effective immediately and until further notice, Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BTO636 (light grey), CX2-BTO573 (dark grey) and CX2-BTO598 (blue), including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program or activity.

* The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has advised Babe Ruth League, Inc. that the BBCOR decertification process has been implemented for the following bats:

Marucci CAT-52 33-inch model, CAT-52 34-inch model, and Black 33-inch and 34-inch models
Reebok Vector-TLS 33-inch model

* Babe Ruth League, Inc. has been informed that Louisville Slugger TPX Dynasty -12, (black/red/grey) composite bat has failed recent performance standard compliance testing.

Effective immediately and until further notice, Louisville Slugger (Hillerich & Bradsby) TPX Dynasty bat (Model - YB12D -- (black/red/grey) including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program or activity.

* Babe Ruth League, Inc. has been informed that Mattingly Sports, Inc., Balistk (blue) composite bat has failed recent performance standard compliance testing.

Effective immediately and until further notice, Mattingly Sports, Inc., Balistk bat (Model - BTKYB, blue) including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program or activity.

Effective immediately and until further notice, the bats listed above are not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program or activity.

NON-COMPLIANT BATS FOR - BABE RUTH SOFTBALL:

Contained below is a current listing of non-compliant bats that are not eligible, or approved, for use in any Babe Ruth Softball program or activity.

* Babe Ruth League Softball has been advised that Louisville Slugger is recalling the entire current line of the OneX fastpitch softball bat (all lengths and weights) from the market.

Effectively immediately and until notified otherwise, these bats are no longer approved for play in any level of the Babe Ruth Softball program. It should be noted that both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) have taken similar action at the request of Louisville Slugger. Click here for more information.

PENALTY

• If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his "at bat" the bat is simply removed from play and the "at bat" continues.
• A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play. The "at bat" will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.
• Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.

If you have any questions on approved or non-compliant bats, do not hesitate to contact Babe Ruth Headquarters.

SAFETY

Casts may not be worn on the playing field. Persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.

Players must not wear watches, rings, pins, jewelry or other metallic items. An exception is jewelry that alerts medical personnel to a specific condition.

All male players must wear athletic supporters.

Male catchers must wear the metal, fibre or plastic type cup and a long-model chest protector. Female catchers can wear long or short model chest protectors. All catchers must wear chest protectors with neck collar, throat guard, shin guards and catcher’s helmet.

All catchers must wear a mask, dangling type throat protector, and catchers helmet during infield/outfield practice, pitcher warm-up and games.

Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are only permitted in the junior and senior divisions. Shoes with molded cleats are permissible in all other divisions.

Helmets must be worn by the batter, all base runners and youth base coaches. Use of a helmet by an adult base coach is optional.

The batting donut is not permissible.