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Rule 1-12: The Bat
a. Wood bat The bat must be a smooth, rounded stick not more than 2¾ inches in diameter at its thickest part nor more than 42 inches in length. There must be a direct line from the center of the knob to the center of the large end. Any material to improve the grip may be used for a distance not to exceed 18 inches from the end of the handle. It is mandatory that all bats have an identification mark 18 inches from the end of the handle. An indentation in the end of the bat up to 1 inch in depth is permitted (cupped bats). All bats other than one-piece solid wood must be certified in accordance with the NCAA certification program.
b. Nonwood bat

(1)  The entire hitting area of the bat must be round with a constant radius at any point and the finish of the hitting area must be smooth.

(2)  There must be a direct line from the center of the knob to the center of the large end.

(3)  The maximum length is 36 inches and the maximum diameter is 25/8 inches.

(4)  The knob and end plug (if applicable) must be firmly attached.

(5)  A bat may not weigh, numerically, more than three units less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 34-inch-long bat cannot weigh less than 31 ounces).

(6)  A nonwood bat must have an approved, coded certification mark on the barrel of the bat signifying the bat is legal for NCAA competition.

PENALTY for a. and b. — A bat that has been flattened or altered to improve performance is an illegal bat. If such an illegal bat is detected before the first pitch, it shall be removed from the game and the batter will be required to use a bat that conforms to the rule. If detected after the first pitch, legal or illegal, the batter shall be declared out, and base runners shall not advance as a result of a batted ball. The bat shall be removed from the contest.
c. It is mandatory that all bats have an identification mark 18 inches from the end of the handle. No foreign substance that will in any way discolor the ball may be added to the surface of the bat beyond 18 inches from the end of the handle.
d. For game and practice use, all nonwood bats must have a leather, rubber or taped grip securely attached to the bat handle.

PENALTY for c. and d. — If the bat is not marked 18 inches from the knob, or has pine tar or a foreign substance beyond the 18-inch mark, the bat must be removed from the game and the player warned. If the practice continues, the player is to be removed from the game. If a bat’s handle should become loose and the bat must be removed from the game, the same practice is to be followed. Neither of these infractions is cause for calling the batter out.