Rawlings Can’t Shed Claims It Understated Weight of Baseball Bats

Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. must keep defending against most of a proposed class suit alleging it understated the weight of youth baseball bats.

Richard Sotelo adequately pleaded claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law, as well as claims that Rawlings breached express warranties, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California said.

Sotelo bought a 2018 Rawlings Youth 5150 USA bat labeled and advertised as being 27 inches long and weighing 16 ounces. But he alleged the bat was 2.6 ounces heavier, which impeded his son’s swing control.

A bat’s weight and weight drop—the difference ...