What do the rules say about bats and batting helmets?

Bats (WBSC rules 2.3.1 and 2.1.1, 2026-2029). Only an official bat that meets the WBSC Equipment Standards Commission standards and carries the approved WBSC (or former ISF 2005) logo may be used in a WBSC competition. A bat is altered when the physical structure of a legal bat has been changed, for example by replacing a metal bat's handle, inserting material inside the bat, painting the top or bottom for other than identification, or engraving an ID marking on the barrel end. Replacing the grip with another legal grip is not an alteration. Softball Australia's technical bulletin TB-2026-1.2 notes that the 2026-2029 wording deleted the earlier examples of more than two layers of grip tape and attaching a flare or cone grip.

Helmets (rule 2.1.9). A helmet that is cracked, broken, dented or altered is an illegal helmet and is removed from the game. For an on-deck batter, batter, batter-runner, runner, youth coach or bat person, the helmet must have two ear flaps (one on each side) and safety features equal to or greater than a full plastic cap with padding inside. A liner covering only the ears does not qualify.

At Australian Championships, umpires may check all bats and helmets before every game for certification labels, dents and cracks (Australian Championship Regulations, section 30).