| SHOES (REFER TO 2012 SPN OFFICIAL SLO-PITCH RULES; RULE 2 - SEC.7): |
 A SHOE shall be considered legal if it is made with either leather or canvass uppers or similar materials. The soles may have soft hard rubber cleats; or replaceable cleats (provided all the legal requirements). The use of shoes with metal cleats, exposed metal, or toe pieces is PROHIBITED. Shoe sole or heel projections other than the standard shoe plate are prohibited. The all purpose molded plastic cleat softball shoe is legal. Shoes must be worn by all players.
| EFFECT Sec. 7: If a player is found to be wearing illegal shoes, the player is to be ejected from the game. |
The batter is out and ejected from the game if he/she enters the batter's box with a non-approved bat (see non-approved list). In addition, the coach/manager is ejected as well.
Click here for the most-current information regarding:
- Most-recent SPN and ASA Non-Approved Bats w/pictures
- Grandfathered Bats No Longer Authorized Beginning in 2008
- ASA Court Order Press Release
- ASA Court Order Judgement
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Any player who is found playing with an altered bat will be suspended for a minimum of three years from SPN sanctioned events. Any altered bat found before the start of the game, and if the SPN representative cannot establish who the owner of the altered bat is, then the coach/manager will be suspended for a minimum of 3 years from SPN sanctioned events. SPN will not be responsible for any problems of any nature whatsoever caused by the use of non-approved and/or altered bats. |
| EFFECT Rule 2 - Sec. 1J: It is the responsibility of all players to know whether their bat has been altered, or if it is shown on the non-approved bat list. |
| BATS (REFER TO 2012 SPN OFFICIAL SLO-PITCH RULES; RULE 2 - SEC. 1): |
Starting with the 2004 season, SPN officially adopted the bat guidelines developed and implemented by the American Softball Association:
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ASA Bat Testing & Certification Program (from ASA's website): The official bat in ASA Championship Play must:
- meet all of the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1
- bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark, or the ASA 2004 certification mark
- not be listed on an ASA non approved list
- be included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office
- in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire: have been manufactured prior to 2000; and if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect
All bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in ASA Championship Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not be allowed in ASA Championship Play, unless they are listed on an approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, the ASA website has a listing of bats that do not pass the ASA 2004 bat standard.
The ASA periodically and randomly tests samples of bat models bearing the ASA approved certification mark to verify compliance with the ASA bat performance standards. Below, are links for press releases - announcing results of compliance testing, as well as FAQ's regarding bat models withdrawn from ASA Championship play (until further notice).
Click here for the most-current information regarding:
- ASA Bat and Ball Certification Program Overview
- ASA Bat Certification Program FAQ's
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