BBCOR, BESR & ABI

BBCOR: (Stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution).

This is the current model of bat regulation testing. This test is also set up to measure all non-wood bats to make sure they come very close to simulating a wood bat.

BESR: (Stands for Ball Exit Speed Ratio).

This has long been the testing model used in the baseball equipment industry to try to make sure that aluminum, metal and all non-wood bats performed like wood bats.

Basically, the test measures how fast the ball comes off the bat barrel. Unfortunately the test did not anticipate that many bats performed significantly better after being broken in.

A trampoline effect was happening when the ball hit the bat. The trampoline kick back makes the ball exit faster and travel farther than wood bats with no trampoline effects. So the test needed to be phased out.

The difference with the BBCOR test is that it also measures the ball exit speeds after the bats have been broken in. That is why the ABI (Accelerated Break-In Test) is used in conjunction with BBCOR.

The ABI test is performed on bats that simulate heavy use. Composite bats are known to perform better the more they are used so the ABI can insure that all bats perform similar to wood bats even after heavy usage.

Baseball America's 2012 Bat Guide helps you make sense of the new rules and regulations for non-wood bats for 2012 and beyond. Check it out!

• BBCOR in 2011 - What did we learn? What were the effects of the BBCOR standards on offense during the 2011 season?

• Coach to Coach - What are college coaches telling their high school counterparts to expect from BBCOR bats in 2012?

• Cheating! - What are the trends in bat tampering?

• 2012 Bat Product Gallery - The new makes and models of BBCOR bats for the 2012 season