Little League Metal Bat Ban?

In Chicago. I stole this off the left side ticker, but I find it interesting.

While I personally think that banning something because it is "too dangerous" is retarded, I also hate metal bats for aesthetic reasons.

I would love to see little league move to using wood bats.

3 months ago FairweatherFan Comment 13 comments 0 recs |

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I read a cool article from somewhere a few weeks ago about this company manufacturing woods bats that don’t shatter by using some wacky new technology. They are expensive but would be great for little league-type play.

The ball would play more “true” off the techno-wood bat and you would reduce any worries of balls hitting kids with too much force. Still, I think the bats were like 100-200 bucks a pop, and many teams wouldn’t be able to afford them.

I’ll see if I can find the article.

Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
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by xanthan on Sep 11, 2008 8:12 AM PDT 0 recs

Found it:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3554857

The bat is another story, Dill said.

It is made from 12 wedges that are combined with adhesive and clamping pressure. The result is that the outside of each wedge has a tight grain surface, guaranteeing the best hitting surface at every spot on the bat.

“The result is that it is very strong, and as a result of it being strong it is very safe,” Dill said. “It is impossible for this maple bat to shatter in the way the maple bats shatter in the major leagues today. You will never have a barrel separating from the handle. The worst thing that can happen is a crack. There is a never a catastrophic break.”

Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 11, 2008 8:17 AM PDT up 0 recs

Here’s a site with a picture of it. My only real problem with the banning of the bats is that cost.

by chilibean_3 on Sep 11, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

100-200 bucks

Is pretty cheap compared to AL bats.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Sep 11, 2008 8:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

From the article it’s 120 for the youth model and 150 for the adult model. That seems decent.

Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Sep 11, 2008 8:32 AM PDT up 0 recs

A decent AL bat is 200+

I still dislike the argument that Aluminum bats are dangerous because they hit the ball too hard…

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Sep 11, 2008 8:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

they don't

there are crazy restrictions on metal bats. It’s required for CIF umpires to inspect ever bat used in the game before the game to make sure they are certified. Junior Giants require it of their umpires too.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Sep 11, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

This seems like the perfect chance for MLB to drop some coin and donate a boat load of them to little leagues across the country. Great P.R. Chance to make the youngest talent use to the feel of a wood bat before they are being scouted for contracts. I really don’t see the MLB’s down side. Which is of coarse why they will not do it.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Sep 11, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

Little kids

have a hard time handling wood bats. the grips are much harder on their hands and when contact is made, the feeling is discouraging and can often be painful.

A lot of the reason aluminum bats are used involves psychology. The aesthetics you are concerned about are also in effect, but for the players. Since Little League is not a spectator sport, player’s feelings are of higher importance.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Sep 11, 2008 10:00 AM PDT 0 recs

so with the advancement in polymers why couldn’t they make a “farm league” model with a narrow neck? slip a foam/rubber sleeve on it for they under age 9 or 10 crowd?

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Sep 11, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up 0 recs