Are rubber bat knobs illegal?

[ice_67]

ASA rules, 12U Nats. Umps checking bats, they remove a couple of those rubber knobs from our bats saying they are illegal. I can't find a rule that says they are illegal. Can someone point to a rule that explains if these rubber knobs are illegal?

[MTR]

ASA rules, 12U Nats. Umps checking bats, they remove a couple of those rubber knobs from our bats saying they are illegal. I can't find a rule that says they are illegal. Can someone point to a rule that explains if these rubber knobs are illegal?

Please be more specific. Are you referring to PowR Pads or a Grip N Rip attachment which flares the handle?

[wadeintothem]

Ask me a few weeks ago, I understood them to be legal as long as they did not form a taper.

I know they were disallowed at gold nats

I can see how it could be deemed illegal since its not tape and not permanently affixed part of the original bat...

So gotta admit, Now... I'm not sure.

[ice_67]

Spazsdad is correct. Those are the ones. But does it matter if it is a Power Pad or the tapered kind?

[Comp]

As far as I have always been told the flat style are legal. They do not alter the 90 degree requirement under the rules of the knob. The tapered style are absolutely illegal as well as any type of taping that alters the knob end of the bat.

[Jalamander]

They do get pulled on a regular, albeit random, occasion

And I can understand why this is so. Like Wade, I too, looked at the ASA rule again and could flip-flop very easily on this rule. I have allowed them in games. I have not worked any tourneys that specifically said they cannot be used.

However, the ASA rule 3-1-J notes "The official bat shall not be an Altered Bat. The weight, distribution of weight, and length of the bat as well as all other characteristics of the bat must be permanently fixed at the time of manufacture and may not be altered in any way thereafter, except as otherwise specifically provided in Rule 3, Section 1, or as specifically approved by the ASA."...Sure looks like an addition of those rubber thingys are illegal.

It goes on to say "flare" and "cone" grips are examples of altered bats.

ASA rule 3-1-I denotes the Safety Knob "may be molded, lathed, welded, or permanently fastened to the bat." Does that mean if you super-glue the rubber thingy to the knob it's OK? I dunno.

Jalamander

[access2]

I believe he is referring to these

In Johnson City, umps asked us (told us, better word) that they be removed from our bats..

[GSB]

Silly to buy them anyway. They do nothing to help with a swing or reduce vibration. Just a waist of money. MHO

[Jalamander]

Silly to buy them anyway. They do nothing to help with a swing or reduce vibration. Just a waist of money. MHO

Whut? You mean you don't believe the sales promo? "The Easton Pro Style Power Pad has a patented design to protect the heel of the hand as well as the batting glove. Easton's bat pad is ultra-soft to absorb bat sting, improve grip, fit all aluminum and wood bats, and can be stacked for choking up."

I especially like the "protect....the batting glove"

[GSB]

Hey Jala,

I got a bridge for sale. You can have it cheap.