This article was taken from

http://www.usssa.com/usssa/usssa-general/2007AlteredBatAnnouncement.htm

To address the concern of altered or just excessively used softball bats, USSSA is asking that players no
longer use any bat that shows any visible sign of wear on the barrel, knob, cap or plug. USSSA umpires
and directors in 2007 are authorized in their discretion to remove from play any bat which shows wear such as
worn off or cracked graphics or damaged barrels, handles, tapers, plugs, caps or knobs. Umpires or directors in
their discretion may either remove the offending bat from the game or tournament and return it at the end
of play or simply ask the player to put the bat away and not use it in USSSA play.
If such a bat is brought back into USSSA play, the owner and user of such a bat may be
suspended from USSSA play for up to one year.