MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare; Education
By: Senator(s) Nunnelee
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM USING NON-WOOD BASEBALL BATS IN COMPETITIVE LEAGUE GAMES IN WHICH MINORS ARE PARTICIPANTS AND WHICH TAKE PLACE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES OR IN CONNECTION WITH A PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAGUE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Legislature finds that there has been a dramatic increase in the speed at which baseballs are propelled off of non-wood bats, resulting in an increase in serious injuries to children.
(2) For purposes of this section, the term:
(a) "Non-wood bat" means any non-wood baseball or softball bat, which shall include but not be limited to, bats made of metal, titanium, scandium, aluminum or any other alloy compound, and which shall not include wood, composite, laminated or composite-coated wood bats. Such term shall include metal bats that are approved for play upon verified test data indicating that such bats perform, weigh and are balanced like wood bats.
(b) "Competitive game" means any organized baseball or softball game at which a certified umpire is present.
(c) "Public school" means a public school located in the State of Mississippi.
(3) No person shall use a non-wood bat in any competitive baseball or softball game in which minors are participants and which (a) takes places on public school property or (b) takes place in connection with a public school sponsored or affiliated baseball or softball league.
(4) Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, the State Board of Education, acting through the Commission on School Accreditation, shall prohibit the use of non-wood baseball and softball bats on public school property or public school league games in accordance with this section as a minimum requirement for accreditation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.