In an effort to clear up confusion surrounding the use of some Louisville Slugger softball bats during the 2015 season, the NFHS is letting all players, coaches and umpires know that the company’s “rough finish” bats will be allowed.
In a memo to softball administrators, the Theresia Wynns, the Director of Sports and Officials for the NFHS, wrote:
Last summer you received a list of Louisville Slugger bats that were declared illegal because of their gritty finish. There was a hearing and the legality of the bats on that list was overturned to make them all legal. You were sent an email to reflect this status in August.
There has been confusion among the umpires in that some were never told to ignore the first email and that list. Some of these umpires are removing these bats from the game because of the gritty finish which has been declared legal. Please take one more step to ensure that the umpires in your state know that these bats are legal. They will appear on the ASA Approved List.
Thank you for your efforts in this matter.
Then on Monday, Glenda Bates, Colorado’s rule interpreter for softball, wrote:
Coaches, Athletic Directors, Umpires:
The high school softball bulletin has printed information regarding the non-use of certain Louisville slugger bats deemed to be illegal per NFHS:
The grey Louisville bats: FPLX150, FPLX158, FPLX159 and the white Louisville bats: FPXN150, FPXN158, FPXN159
After doing some research and getting clarifying information from NFHS, we have found that the statements in the 2015 softball bulletin no longer hold true. In a memo from Theresia Wynns, NFHS Director of Sports and Officials, the Louisville Slugger bats listed above are now legal per a hearing referenced below. The statement is effective for the fall 2015 High School season.
If you have any questions regarding these changes/clarifications, please contact Glenda Bates, the Colorado Sate High School Softball Rules Interpreter, at softballcolo@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time and understanding as we correct this situation.