When were dead bats introduced? What are their effects on high school baseball?

Many high school baseball players may feel that "the ball doesn't fly well."

Behind this is the change in the standards for bats used in high school baseball, specifically the introduction of "low-rebound bats."This article will explain in detail when low-rebound bats were introduced, their characteristics, the reasons for their adoption, and their impact on high school baseball.

We will also introduce ways to adapt to low-rebound bats, so high school baseball players and their parents should definitely refer to this information.

What are "low-rebound bats" in high school baseball?

"Low-rebound bats" refer to bats that, unlike conventional metal bats, intentionally suppress their rebound force. New bat standards were announced in 2022, and after a transition period, they were fully implemented in the spring of 2024.

Here, we will explain in detail the characteristics of low-rebound bats and the reasons for their transition.

Characteristics of low-rebound bats

The newly introduced low-rebound bats have suppressed rebound force compared to conventional metal bats. The differences from conventional metal bats are as follows:

By increasing the thickness and reducing the maximum diameter compared to conventional bats, the rebound force when hitting the ball has been reduced.While these are only differences of a few millimeters in numerical terms, the number of home runs in the Koshien tournament has decreased since the introduction of low-rebound bats.

Reasons for the transition to low-rebound bats

The following reasons can be considered for the transition to low-rebound bats:

・Improved safety in high school baseball

・Adjustment of the balance between hitting and pitching

・Player development with an eye on transitioning to wooden bats

In particular, improved safety is cited as a reason.Conventional metal bats had high rebound force, making it difficult to avoid line drives towards the pitcher, known as "pitcher-返し" (pitcher returns). It is believed that this measure was implemented to ensure the safety of pitchers due to the high risk of injury.

Additionally, in high school baseball, where pitcher overuse is a problem, it was necessary to adjust the balance between hitting and pitching. Because of the excellent performance of bats, even poorly hit balls became hits, and swings while off-balance resulted in extra-base hits. Therefore, new standard bats have been introduced.

Furthermore, in amateur baseball in Japan, the use of wooden bats is mandatory from college baseball onwards. It can be difficult to adapt from metal bats to wooden bats, and some players may not be able to perform well in college or corporate league baseball.By high school students refining their batting skills with low-rebound bats, it will also contribute to raising the level of amateur baseball in Japan.

When were low-rebound bats introduced?

Low-rebound bats were fully implemented in the spring of 2024, after a two-year transition period.This new standard by the Japan High School Baseball Federation is the first in 23 years.

The previous revision of standards was in 2001, aimed at suppressing batting performance. Due to the high rebound performance of metal bats and the increase in physically stronger players, the situation of hitters having an advantage became serious, leading to the establishment of bat standards that suppress rebound force.

Types of bats that can be used in high school baseball

According to the Japan High School Baseball Federation's Special Regulations for High School Baseball (2024 edition),the following four types of bats can be used in high school baseball:

・Wooden bats

・Laminated wood bats

・Laminated bamboo bats

・Metal bats (limited to products that comply with SG standards and have the SG mark attached)

Source: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan High School Baseball Federation｜Special Regulations for High School Baseball (2024 edition)

The table below summarizes the characteristics of each material, so please refer to it when choosing a bat.

In high school baseball, it is recommended to use bamboo bats for practice and metal or wooden bats for games.

It is rare for metal bats to break or crack. However, if they are heavily used in practice, metal fatigue can occur, gradually weakening their rebound force.

To use a metal bat in its best condition during games, use a cost-effective bamboo bat for practice.

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Impact of low-rebound bats on high school baseball

The introduction of low-rebound bats has significantly changed high school baseball. The biggest impact is the decrease in the number of home runs. Please see the table below, which summarizes the number of home runs in the Spring Koshien tournament from 2022 to 2025.

Reference:91st-95th Tournament | List of Participating Schools | Senbatsu Tournament | Japan High School Baseball Federation

　　：96th-97th Tournament | List of Participating Schools | Senbatsu Tournament | Japan High School Baseball Federation

As you can see from the table above, the number of home runs has decreased significantly since 2024, when low-rebound bats were fully implemented.

Furthermore, at the Summer Koshien tournament in the same year, Waseda Jitsugyo was seen using an "infield five-man shift" to prevent runs, indicating an increase in defensive shifts that were not seen before.It is expected that future high school baseball will feature more dynamic baseball, utilizing mobility to convert fewer hits and opportunities into runs.

How to adapt to low-rebound bats

As mentioned earlier, the introduction of low-rebound bats has significantly changed high school baseball. What measures are necessary to achieve results in future high school baseball?

Finally, we will introduce measures to adapt to low-rebound bats.

Changing your batting style

To adapt to low-rebound bats, it will likely be necessary to change your batting style.If you try to force more distance with a low-rebound bat, it can cause your batting form to break down.

To increase distance, proper body and bat usage are crucial, so it will be necessary to solidify the fundamentals of batting.The video below explains the correct body usage in batting, so please watch it if you are interested.

Utilize "bamboo bats"

To achieve results with low-rebound bats, incorporate bamboo bats into your daily practice.Bamboo bats are designed with a smaller sweet spot compared to regular bats. Therefore, a high level of hitting accuracy is required to hit the ball far, allowing you to practice with a feel similar to low-rebound bats.

Furthermore,by repeatedly practicing with a bamboo bat, you can efficiently acquire the swing needed to hit the ball far, which is highly recommended.Thus, bamboo bats will be an effective tool for adapting to low-rebound bats.

Summary

The introduction of low-rebound bats was implemented to enhance pitcher safety and encourage players to improve their skills. Players need to make various efforts to adapt to the new bats, such as changing their batting style and utilizing bamboo bats.

If you are considering purchasing a bamboo bat, "AIM CLASSICO" is highly recommended.AIM CLASSICO is a top-balanced bat, allowing you to naturally develop an ideal inside-out swing.

The specific performance aspects of AIM CLASSICO are explained in detail in the video below, so please watch it if you are interested.

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In future high school baseball, more precise tactics and advanced techniques will be required. Why not utilize AIM CLASSICO to refine your batting skills?