Cold Weather and High End Bats

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Anyone who has bought a "high end" bat knows that the manufacturers tell you not to use them in temperatures below 60 degrees.

As anyone who plays softball in Ohio knows, that isn't likely to happen on a regular basis until the end of April when the season is more than half over.

I have seen "bat warmers" advertised. They look like insulated sleeves with some sort of microwaveable gel pack inside that keeps a bat warm between at bats. It seems to make sense that if the bats aren't supposed to be used in temps below 60, that if you can keep the bat above 60 you can prolong the life of your bat.

I was looking around and either NSA or ASA has some of them listed as "Approved Equipment".

Has anyone had experience with bat warmers? Good or Bad?
Are they legal in HS and tournament play?
Are there any umpires that can shed some light on this topic??

Thanks

 

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They are not legal in high school... I will cut and paste the rule, when I find it.

 

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Not to worry, the same thread is acitve in the General Board and there has been much discussion including rules interpretations being posted.
I just wanted to make sure that the topic was covered on the High School front as well.

So anyone who wants to read more or make a posting, please use the thread uner that General Board.

Thanks

 

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http://www.game-ex.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1204558631

 

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i bought my neice one last year and then was told she could not use it, so it made good hand warmer.. ;D

 

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To bad they are illegal. Sure would reduce those stingers.... :'(