BAT REGULATIONS

11U A, 11U AA, 13U A 13U AA, 13U AAA League Play and Provincial Championship Play

• • USSSA Certified Bats with 1.15 BPF certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-3/4" and a maximum differential of -10 are permitted

  • USA Baseball Certified Bats with USA Baseball certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-5/8" and a maximum differential of -10 are permitted

15U A and 15U AA League Play and Provincial Championship Play

• • USSSA Certified Bats with 1.15 BPF certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-3/4" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

  • USA Baseball Certified Bats with USA Baseball certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-5/8" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

15U AAA, 18U A, 18U AA, 18U AAA, 18U BAEL League Play and Provincial Championship Play

• • BBCOR Certified Bats with BBCOR .5 certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-5/8" and a maximum differential of -3 are permitted

  • Wood and Wood Composite Bats are permitted in either -5 or -3 models

15U and 18U Female Athletes in Baseball Alberta League Play and Provincial Championships 

• • USSSA Certified Bats with 1.15 BPF certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-3/4" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

  • USA Baseball Certified Bats with USA Baseball certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-5/8" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

  • Female athletes using bats that are NOT BBCOR Certified (-3) must have them clearly marked (colored tape around handle). Umpires must be notified of this bat prior to the game.

16U Girls, 19U Women and Open Women's Championships

• • USSSA Certified Bats with 1.15 BPF certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-3/4" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

  • USA Baseball Certified Bats with USA Baseball certification visible on the bat, a maximum barrel diameter of 2-5/8" and a maximum differential of -5 are permitted

Additional Information:

• The 17U Canada Cup Championship is a wood bat only championship.

• The Baseball Alberta Community Leagues will follow the 'A' category bat regulations for each age group.

• In all divisions, the bat must clearly show the manufacturer's original markings, including, if applicable, length-weight differential. If not, the bat will be considered illegal.

• A player is to follow the bat rule based on the age division that they are playing in during the game. For example, a 13U aged player participating in a 15U game is subject to the 15U bat regulation. A 16U aged female athlete playing in a 15U game is subject to the 15U bat regulation.

UNDERSTANDING BAT CERTIFICATIONS FOR BASEBALL ALBERTA LEAGUES

This is intended to be a high-level look at the different bat certifications, the differences between those certifications and what leagues can use what certifications starting in 2026. 

BBCOR Certified Bats (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) - these bats are the standard college level baseball bat set by the NCAA. BBCOR bats will feature the BBCOR.50 stamp visible on the bat. BBCOR bats will be a maximum barrel diameter of 2-⅝” and will only be available in a drop three (-3) weight/length differential. Manufacturers will make BBCOR bats in both aluminum and composite materials as well as be found in either one piece or two piece designs. 

2026 Baseball Alberta Leagues with BBCOR permitted - 15U AAA, 18U A, 18U AA, 18U AAA, 18U BAEL

USSSA Certified Bats (United States Specialty Sports Association) - these bats are the most common bats in Baseball Alberta’s 11U, 13U and 15U AA categories and have a 1.15BPF stamp visible on the bat. USSSA bats will have a maximum barrel diameter of 2-¾” and will be available in drop ten (-10), drop eight (-8) and drop five (-5)  weight/length differentials. Hitters in the younger age categories prefer the USSSA bats due to the batted ball performance and as lighter swing weights are available compared to wood bats, BBCOR bats or USA Bats.

2026 Baseball Alberta Leagues with USSSA permitted - 11U A, 11U AA, 13U A, 13U AA, 13U AAA, 15U A, 15U AA

USA Certified Bats (are most commonly found in Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball and Cal Ripken Baseball leagues) - these bats have batted ball performance that are similar to BBCOR bats, however are offered in a wide variety of weight differentials similar to USSSA bats. These bats will have a maximum barrel diameter of 2-⅝” and are available in drop ten (-10), drop eight (-8) and drop five (-5) weight/length differentials.

2026 Baseball Alberta Leagues with USA permitted - 11U A, 11U AA, 13U A, 13U AA, 13U AAA, 15U A, 15U AA

BAT REGULATIONS FOR THE 2026 SEASON

Starting in the 2026 season, Baseball Alberta will be adopting the following Baseball Canada bat regulation changes for the following age categories:

15U AAA
Non-wood BBCOR bats and wood/wood composite bats will be permitted for use in both Baseball Alberta Provincial League Play and Baseball Alberta Provincial Championship play starting in 2026.

BAEL/18U AAA/18U AA

Non-wood BBCOR bats and wood/wood composite bats will be permitted for use in both Baseball Alberta Provincial League Play and Baseball Alberta Provincial Championship play starting in 2026.

Please note - previously published information regarding changes to the 13U age category bat regulation changes by Baseball Canada have been withdrawn by Baseball Canada after additional consideration and feedback from suppliers and the provinces. The 13U AAA/AA/A age categories will continue to be permitted to use bats with 2-¾” maximum barrel with (i) 1.15 BPF (Bat Performance Factor) or (ii) USA Baseball Model certifications and up to a -10 length/weight differential in Baseball Alberta Provincial League Play and Baseball Alberta Provincial Championship Play.