USA Baseball, NFHS Expand High School Bat Weights to -6 Starting in 2028
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 9
USA Baseball, NFHS Expand High School Bat Weights to -6 Starting in 2028
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 9
Summary
Starting in 2028, high school baseball players will be allowed to use lighter bats after the NFHS Rules Committee approved drop weights of -4, -5 and -6 alongside the current -3 standard.
USA Baseball said the change is meant to keep more athletes in the sport, arguing some players struggle with the jump to a -3 bat and need more time to build strength, mechanics and bat speed.
The current rule effectively requires a 31-inch bat to weigh 28 ounces, while the new options would let players swing lighter models under the BBCOR standard introduced in 2012.
Coaches, parents and fans criticized the move as a step backward, with some warning lighter bats could undercut player development and raise safety concerns for pitchers.