Current News

Welcome to the new website for Dizzy Dean Baseball and Dizzy Dean Softball.

This page “Current News” will serve as the notification portion for the website.  Anytime there is a change to rules/procedures, announcements, important events, explanations/clarifications, etc., it will be listed on this page.

If you bookmark this page, make sure that you “refresh” your browser to insure that you are receiving the most current information available.  Most browsers will refresh automatically however, if you do not see new information, as a precaution, click your refresh button to make sure you are seeing the most current data.

As everyone is aware, bat rules have dramatically changed over the last two (2) years.  Player safety and a lack of any kind of an industry standard have driven these changes.  Over the last year, there has been a tremendous amount of research and testing of baseball bats, in an effort to protect the youth playing the game of baseball and to establish a uniformed industry standard.

During the November 2011 National Board meeting, Dizzy Dean Baseball, Inc.’s. National Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt the new “Industry Standard” for baseball bat regulation.

In making this decision, and all others, our primary goal is to ensure the safety and well being of our players.  We are sure everyone will agree that the safety of our children is of paramount importance.  As parents ourselves, we understand the budgetary constraints faced by families when planning for participation in team sports.  However, it is our duty to ensure the safety of all our players which in some cases may include an unfortunate and unintended consequence to players who previously purchased equipment which is no longer considered acceptable for team play.

Below, you will find the bat rule effective with the 2012 baseball season.  Additionally, in an effort to help with any questions you may have, we have listed the most common bat questions we have received, along with the ruling for each question.

2012 Bat Rule (as listed in the rule book):

2:07    The bat shall be an unaltered baseball bat (not softball), with the following age specific requirements:

a)                 For ages 5-12, all non-wood bats “MUST” meet 1.15 BPF (Bat Performance Factor) for the life of the bat and “MUST” possess a “clearly identifiable” manufacture’s certification stamp.  This will include 2 1/4, 2 5/8, and 2 3/4 barrel bats.

·         BBCOR bats are legal for use in ages 5-12.

b)                 For ages 13-19, all non-wood bats “MUST” meet BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) and “MUST” possess a “clearly identifiable” manufacture’s certification stamp.

·                     A bat shall not weigh numerically more than three ounces less than the length of the bat.

·                     The diameter of the bat shall be no larger than 2 5/8 barrel.

c)                  Bats that are broken, cracked, dented or deface the ball are illegal.

d)                 There shall be no devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the handle to become flush with the knob.

·         Molded grips and Choke up knobs are illegal.

Q.        Will approved bats from 2011 be "grandfathered in" in 2012?

A.         No, all bats must meet 1.15 BPF and possess a manufacturer's 1.15 BPF certification stamp for ages 5-12 or must meet BBCOR .50 and possess a manufacturer's BBCOR certification stamp for ages 13-19 to be legal for 2012.

Q.        Are composite barrel bats legal for 2012?

A.         Yes, but they must meet 1.15 BPF certification and possess a manufacturer's 1.15 BPF certification stamp for ages 5-12 or must meet BBCOR .50 certification and possess a manufacturer's BBCOR .50 certification stamp for ages 13-19.

Q.        Are bats labeled coach pitch, CP, TB, and tee-ball legal for 2012?

A.         Yes, for ages 5-8 but they must meet 1.15 BPF certification and possess a manufacturer's 1.15 BPF certification stamp.

Q.        My son will play in the Sophomore Division of Dizzy Dean Baseball in 2012. What kind of bat can he use?

A.         For ages 13-19 all bats must meet BBCOR .50 certification and possess a manufacturer's BBCOR .50 certification stamp.

Q.        My son will play in the Farm Division of Dizzy Dean Baseball in 2012 what kind of bat can he use?

A.         For ages 5-12 all bats must meet 1.15 BPF certification and must possess a manufacturer's certification stamp.  Also, BBCOR .50 certified bats are legal for ages 5-12. 

 
As the celebration of 35 years of Dizzy Dean began in November, the National Board overwhelmingly voted to move all World Series to Southaven Mississippi beginning in 2012.

The potential for greatness coupled with the commitment of the City of Southaven to partner with Dizzy Dean to build an experience for the youth that play Dizzy Dean Baseball & Softball was something that we felt was worth the challenge.

The partnership with Southaven has plans for a World Series Home for Dizzy Dean Baseball & Softball that includes eight additional fields with a two field Stadium Complex that will rival any other youth organization in the United States.

We truly believe that this decision will make all of us better and most importantly give every child that plays in our program a memory that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.