NSA Canada Approved Bat List

NSA Canada since its inception in 1997 has always adhered to the bat testing procedure commonly known as BPF 1.20 which stands for Bat Performance Factor Test. This bat testing procedure has continually evolved throughout the years.

The first test starting out as BPF 1.2 this test rounded down any softball bats that tested 1.205 and below. All bats that tested below 1.205 were rounded down to BPF 1.2.

The second development in the BPF test which happened in 2004 was that all BPF tested softball bats could no longer exceed 1.20 the Zero was then added to the BPF 1.2 test and rounding down was no longer allowed.

The third development in the BPF bat test which took effect January 1st 2013 is much the same as the earlier second test other than now at no time during the life of the bat can it exceed 1.20. As we are all aware composite bats have always had a breaking in period to which they became livelier after the break in period. To simply explain this new test, the bat is tested until it exceeds 1.20 to which it then fails the test or the bat is tested until it breaks and if it breaks before it exceeds 1.20 it passes the new BPF 1.20 test.

BAT STANDARDS UPDATE – Update March 5/2021

NSA Canada has been actively monitoring the continuing evolution of bat standards and was interested to learn that USSSA has changed their commencement date of the new bat testing standards from July 2020 and has extended it indefinitely.

NSA Canada as a program wants to ensure that you, the participant, stay informed as to how these changes will affect you and the products you have purchased or will do so in the future for league and tourney play.

With NSA Canada and other national programs using the lower density ball, we have always been at the forefront of participant safety, which is the primary reason for these upcoming rule changes.

Whether we agree or not with the new standards due to these North American changes, it will be what the bat manufacturers will follow due to the huge influence of USSSA in the United States.

These manufacturers are a major part of our program and we will ensure that as always moving forward, NSA Canada will listen to all parties involved to continue to have the best program for all.

NSA Canada is going to continue to review the situation and make an informed and final decision on the bat standards once all the information becomes available in our market.

We currently have sanctioned the new testing standard as well as the grandfathered standard indefinitely, but will reserve the right to make changes to this process moving forward based on any informed info that may arise and impact all parties.

Thank you for supporting NSA Canada and see you on the fields!