Bat bans are not unique to California. New York City and North Dakota ban aluminum bats in high school baseball; other states have considered the issue. Glen Cook, a varsity baseball coach at Rockridge High School in Taylor Ridge, Illinois wants aluminum bats banned from high school games. Speaking on WGIL 14 radio, Cook said aluminum bats are dangerous because of their ability to hit balls at a markedly increased speed over wooden bats, posing a risk to players, especially pitchers. The Illinois High School Association has studied aluminum bats but hasn't taken any action.
Balls hit off metal bats have caused injuries and even fatalities. From 1991 to 2001, there were 17 deaths caused by batted balls, eight from non-wood, two from wood and seven in which the type of bat was unknown. In November 2009, a Montana jury found an aluminum bat manufacturer liable for the 2003 death of 18-year-old Brandon Patch, who died after being struck by a ball hit off a metal bat. (The case is currently on appeal.) Back in 2000, J.W. MacKay Jr., a former bat designer with Hillerich & Bradsby (makers of the Louisville Slugger) petitioned the CPSC to “issue a rule requiring the wood-like performance of all non-wood bats.” But in 2002, the CPSC ruled that the data was insufficient to support such a ruling. The National Collegiate Athletic Association already bans some metal composite bats and will have a new, more stringent bat-testing standard for the 2011 season.
Proponents of metal bats say they make for better hitting averages—especially for amateur players—and cost savings (they don’t break like wood bats do). But take note: Major League Baseball only uses wooden bats.
—Desiree Ferenczi
There have also been suggestions that the loud "ping" from metal bats can cause hearing damage.
The California ban is actually on all non-wood bats. It would end on January 1, 2012 when new national high school bat regulations take effect. Those regulations will allow non-wood bats, but will require the performance of such bats to be equal to that of wood bats.
Why not ban good batters? Or baseball? Or the minivans that the kids arrive in?
The baseball is hitting the pitcher, in little league ball, because the batter has no control over where and how he/she swings. At least in high school and above, people should have some ability to "aim" the ball, when they hit it. If not, they should not be on the team anyway. Anyone who purposely "aims" at the pitcher should be banned from the game - permanently - right up through and including the professionals. Who, by the way, should not be leaving their bats at home plate. It's a danger for their in-coming runner and/or the catcher.
I am appalled that the debate should remain undecided over the metal bats.
If even the over-ample evidence of their dangerous behavior were considered as "questionable"; how does this balance against the Risk of injuring, Killing or mentally-maiming a young person.
"Better hitting averages" with metal bats: Whatever happened to raw competitiveness; perhaps the less able ought not to be encouraged. No amount of little leaguers' glee can rationalize the risk of lasting injury, or demise.
As columnist Herb Caen once said, "People will vote-their-pocketbooks." The cost of breakable wooden bats is blatantly covered by by the insurance of avoiding cerebral catastrophe from metal bats.
Ask Gunnar Sandberg, his parents, and the lad whose line-drive nearly effaced Gunnar; what horrors they have had to live through; as well as medical expenditures that dwarf the cost of investing in Wood.
Been for a metal bat ban for years. Too bad it's been mostly a money issue.
Please, legislation is pondering metal bats vs wooden bats. Next thing you know they will be baning "Old Bats" like myself.
Mariposa and Vivian and brodbeck have not a clue. It is a real and serious issue. They are dangerous and there is a reason why they don't use them at the professional level. It's not a cost issue. It's a performance issue. I've coached at many levels through high school kids. Metal bats provide a huge advantage over wood bats. The balls travel faster, farther and have a larger sweet spot. Tell you what, I'll take a composite bat, stand 55 feet from you, give you a glove ask you to lean over and balance on one foot. I'll take a few hacks and Aim for your face. I'll alternate between wooden and metal or composition. Then after you can experience the difference we will ask you to put son in the position and give you the option of what bat I can use... And no mariposa, better aim is not a possible solution. Seriously?
My son Johnny (Buckshot)Simmons 17 years Old was hit by a line drive in practice on April 29th 2010 for the Glynn Academy Red Terrors Varstey in Brunswick GA His eye was tourn 180 dageases back the renta was detached the lens is gone he also had a cornea transplant a broken nose the eye socket and the bones around the eye and cheack are shattered he can not see at this time but we are praying that he will it will be a 6-12 month recoverey this is what a Metal bat can do the Dr.s Sead if it had been 1 inch over it would have killed him you walk one day in my sons shous and you would not ever wont kids to play with Metal Bats baseball is his life sence he was 4 years old is it worth it . Is your childs Life Worth It can you say it is not if you love your child Thank You Michelle Simmons
How about providing some mandatory head protection for the pitcher? 8 deaths from non-wood, two from wood bats but what's the ratio of non-wood to wood bats in use? Probably 50 to 1. The pitcher is vulnerable no matter what bat type is used. I'm sure someone could develop a helmet that would work for a pitcher. Why protect the batter and not the pitcher?
Seriously people?? What our over media-ized & sue-happy nation has forgotten is that sports in general are inherently dangerous. My son also plays basketball and while going up for a rebound had his feet knocked out from under him, landed on his head and received a concussion. Should youth basketball players be required to wear helmets? I do not know the actual numbers but someone above quotes 8 deaths from non-wood bats. If you take that number as a percentage of how many kids have played little league across the nation, I think you will find that it is a statistically irrelevant risk. That's not to say that each and every incident was not a tragedy, however, I don't believe it justifies an outcry for banning aluminum bats. Life is full of risks. Getting in your car to drive your player to the game is a risk. The siblings running around the bleachers with foul balls dropping out of the sky is a risk. It's time to refocus our energy on another cause.
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