AmericanWhat a bat stamp means
A certification stamp is a small logo printed on the bat by the maker. It says that model was tested and met a group's performance limit. USA Softball, for example, certifies bats that do not produce a batted ball speed over 98 mph in its testing.
The stamp is not a quality rating. A budget bat and a top-of-the-line bat can carry the same mark. What the stamp tells you is where the bat is allowed, and that is what matters on game day.
Two things make a bat legal: the right mark on the bat, and the model not appearing on that organization's non-approved or withdrawn list. A bat can have the stamp and still be banned if it later failed testing.
Which stamp each kind of league asks for
Rules change, so treat this as a map and confirm with your league or tournament director. Here is what each group's current rules say.
- USA Softball: the bat must carry the right USA Softball (or older ASA) certification mark and must not be on USA Softball's Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks. Some marks are allowed in all games; others are only for slowpitch, men's and boys' fastpitch.
- High school (NFHS): the bat must carry one of three certification marks shown in the NFHS rule book and must not be on USA Softball's non-approved list. NFHS does not require the bat to be on an approved list.
- USSSA fastpitch: the bat must be made by a USSSA-licensed softball bat maker and carry the 2020 USSSA Fastpitch Only mark or the earlier 2014 USSSA mark on the taper. Any bat on USSSA's withdrawn or non-compliant list is illegal.
- Little League Softball: all non-wood bats must be printed with a BPF of 1.20. Little League also limits length and barrel size by division, so check its bat rules page.
- College (NCAA): bats need the ASA 2004 and/or fastpitch USA Softball mark, must be on the NCAA Approved Softball Bat List, and go through barrel testing. That is a long way off for most families, but it shows where the game is headed.
The slowpitch trap
SOFTBALL Fastpitch and slowpitch bats are not the same, even when they look alike on the shelf. NFHS's own rule comparison lists the ASA 2013 mark as slowpitch only. A bat with only that mark is not a girls' fastpitch bat.
Hand-me-downs are where this bites. An older sibling's or a parent's softball bat may be a slowpitch bat. Before your player uses it, read the stamp and the word on the barrel.
Baseball bats are a different story too. A USA Baseball or BBCOR stamp means nothing in a softball game. Our first bat buying guide covers the baseball side.
How to check a bat in five minutes
- Ask your league or tournament which organization's rules they play under. Travel teams may play both USA Softball and USSSA events in one season.
- Find the stamp on the bat, usually on the taper (the thin part between handle and barrel) or the barrel. If you can't read it, an umpire may not accept it.
- Match the stamp to the rule for that league.
- Look up the model number on that organization's non-approved or withdrawn list. NFHS says to compare the exact model number, because many bats look alike.
- Check the bat for dents, cracks or rattles. Damaged and altered bats are illegal everywhere.
If your player plays in more than one kind of event, a bat that carries each mark you need saves you from owning two bats. Check every list it has to pass.
Altered bats are a serious matter
Never shave, roll, heat or otherwise change a bat, and be wary of used bats from strangers. USA Softball, NCAA and USSSA rules all treat altered bats as illegal.
USSSA's fastpitch rulebook goes further: its penalties for altered bats can include suspensions, and for youth players they can reach the parents too. It is never worth the risk.
Before you buy
- Get the stamp right first, then size the bat. Our bat size finder gives a starting length and drop for fastpitch players.
- Keep the receipt and warranty in case of a crack.
- Check again each season. Lists get updated, and leagues sometimes switch the organization they play under.
- New to travel softball? Read softball vs. baseball travel ball for how the fastpitch world is set up.
Common questions
What stamp does a high school softball bat need?
Under NFHS rules, a high school softball bat must carry one of the USA Softball/ASA certification marks shown in the NFHS rule book and must not be on USA Softball's non-approved bat list. Your state association can confirm.
Can my daughter use a USSSA bat in a USA Softball tournament?
Only if the bat also carries the USA Softball mark those rules require and isn't on USA Softball's non-approved list. A USSSA mark alone is for USSSA play. Ask the tournament director before the event.
Can a fastpitch player use a slowpitch bat?
No. Slowpitch-only marks, such as the ASA 2013 mark, are not legal for girls' fastpitch. Buy a bat labeled for fastpitch that carries the stamp your league requires.
Sources: USA Softball: Certified Equipment · USA Softball: 2026 Official Rules of Softball (Rule 3, Equipment) · NFHS: How to ensure a bat is approved for NFHS softball · NFHS: 2025 major rule differences, USA Softball, NCAA and NFHS · USSSA: Fastpitch Rules, 18th Edition · USSSA: Rulebooks and By-Laws · Little League: Decertified Bats FAQs (softball BPF 1.20) · Little League: Does my bat meet the softball bat standards? · NCAA: 2026 and 2027 Softball Rules Book