Product News: Suncoast SBFPB-10 Bat Added to USA Softball Non-Approved Bat List

Note: the following press release was sent out this week by USA Softball this week in regards to the Suncoast SBFPB-10 bat which retails for around $450 on average per various online sports equipment websites.

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USA Softball, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced on Friday, April 14, that the Suncoast Backlash FP (-10) fastpitch softball bat model SBFPB-10 is no longer authorized for use in USA Softball Championship Play.

USA Softball conducts random audit testing of various approved models throughout each calendar year to verify that the manufacturers bat models comply with the standards currently in effect.

It was through this auditing process that it was discovered that the Suncoast SBFPB-10 failed to comply with the USA Softball bat compliance agreement.

*** Note that this action only affects the Suncoast SBFPB (-10) fast pitch model configured in length/weight ratios of 30/20 31/21, 32/22, 33/23 and 34/24.

In order to gain initial certification and have the right to use the USA Softball 2004 bat certification mark, bat manufacturers send production samples to independent USA Softball approved testing labs.

Once the sample bat passes the performance test at one of the independent labs, the manufacturer has the authority to apply the USA Softball 2004 bat certification mark indicating compliance with the standard.

It is the responsibility of the bat manufacturer to ensure that every unit of each model produced has the same characteristics as the unit submitted for initial testing.  It is the responsibility of the bat manufacturer to ensure that every unit of each model produced satisfies the performance standard at any point during the lifespan of the bat.

USA Softball is not currently aware of any other bat models that fail to comply with the bat compliance agreement and/or performance standards but will continue to audit bats on an ongoing basis in effort of verifying such standards.

For questions related to the USA Softball non-approved bat list, contact the USA Softball membership services department at [email protected].