BBCOR / high school (NFHS) bat rules
Brief guide for parents whose player is aging into high school ball (including Illinois IHSA, which uses NFHS rules).
Non-wood batsBBCOR .50
Drop weight−3 only
USA youth / USSSANot for HS varsity
Starting 2028USA BBCOR + USABat −4/−5/−6 added
Current NFHS rule (through 2027 seasons)
- Non-wood bats must meet the BBCOR performance standard.
- Permanent rectangular certification mark on the barrel reading BBCOR .50 (stickers/decals not accepted).
- Max barrel 2⅝″, max length 36″, and the bat may not weigh more than 3 oz less than its length (−3).
What’s changing in 2028
NFHS adopted USA Baseball’s oversight of BBCOR and will also allow USA BBCOR and USABat −4 / −5 / −6 beginning with the 2028 season. Existing BBCOR .50 bats remain legal indefinitely. This does not change 2026–2027 high school play.
Source: USA Baseball news (July 8, 2026) · NFHS rule change notes
Page reviewed: October 22, 2026