An exploding issue
One of the hot topics in pro and college summer league baseball this year has been the dangers of maple bats. The problem is when a maple bat breaks, it tends to shatter into large chunks with sharp and pointed ends. When bats made of ash break, they tend to simply crack or have a clean break.
Earlier this season, Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki broke a maple bat in frustration, with a jagged piece slamming into his hand and opening a gash that required 16 stitches to close. Pirates hitting coach Don Long and fan Susan Rhodes were injured in separate incidents at Dodger Stadium, with each hit by a flying chunk of a maple bat. Long's cheek was sliced open and Rhodes suffered two jaw fractures and a concussion.
In another game, major league umpire Brian O'Nora was struck on the head by a piece of broken maple bat and left bleeding from his head.
Maple bats, which were first used in 1997, are the bats of choice for the majority of players, though they are more popular at the big-league level because of the cost factor. Maple bats are more expensive than ash bats or the relatively new birch bats.
Major League Baseball is considering its options. It is trying to come up with ways to make maple bats safer when they break. There also is talk that the bats will be banned.
My guess is MLB will ban the maple bats, then some of the bat companies will file lawsuits and it will become a messy situation.
Maple bats are used in the Frontier League. Chances are, the next time you see a bat shatter and leave a pointed end, it's a maple bat.
The River City Rascals have announced their players will not be permitted to use maple bats in 2009. I've attached a link to a story about the Gateway Grizzlies considering making the same ban on maple.
Read story here.
posted by Chris Dugan at
7:55 AM
15 Comments:
The Wild Thing relief pitchers need to use maple baseballs.
It would be nice to see their pitches explode sometime.
maple bats will never be banned by MLB because the majority of players (and the union) would never allow this to happen.
River City has had some fans seriously injured this year... So this is purely a response...
Actually, the MLB and the Player's Union have been discussing the possibility of a maple bat ban in 2010.
annonymous...
exactly: 'discussing'...Unless an alternative comes about and the players themselves want to make the switch, it won't happen. And why would guys like Pujols, Manny, or hundreds of others really want to make the switch?
A better question than will the Wild Things make the playoffs (with their current bull pen), would be:
How will season ticket sales be affected if the Wild Things don't make the playoffs.
And a question!
Is Ron Wilson on vacation?
I enjoy his posts!
Naw, I'm not on vacation. Just reading this stuff every day. Too many folks get their shorts in a twist when I post so I've decided to limit any comments.
BUT, since you ask- Did anyone hear Greg’s comments about hit batters and other baseball related feuds last night? He was, IMHO, right on. Just let the players settle their problems the way it used to be done - on the field. There is far too much interference by the umpires now. I know the umps don't have much choice given their instructions but it ain't really the way baseball should be played. Boy are the good ol' days ever gone. There are two Wild Things players that make me wonder who the hell they play for. They seem more interested in fraternizing with players on other teams then concentrating on playing baseball. I like the way Chris Sidick plays – to WIN! Screw the guy’s on the other team because they are the enemy, they are there to beat you, and these two fraternizers should wake up to that! If the opposing team isn’t prepared to play some hard-nosed baseball, then let them just stay home. Damn it really ticks me off to see that! This is NOT a sewing society!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Who are these two players Ron?
I can sure guess that Phil Butch is one of them.
I never argue with a person when I believe they are right.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
"Boy are the good ol' days ever gone."
It ain't 1960 anymore. Get over it.
"...Robbie Knapp pimped a home run he hit off Ledbetter at there place," Jelks said. "Aaron was ticked off about that and let (Knapp) know about it..."
As well he should. Former teammate or not.
You all might want to be around the radio or the webstream for the pregame interview segment.
M.A. Ledbetter frankly answers Randy Gore's question about the "festivities" last night.
Sound at 6:55 pm!
"It ain't 1960 anymore. Get over it"
Yeah right. Tell that to Chris Sidick.
You all might want to be around the radio
Bob,
Most of us don't carry a radio to the game and at 6:55Pm we are usually in our seats. Soooo, what was said?
I'm very impressed with the picture on this story. The photographer should have gotten a mention.
That is an Associated Press photo. I think it was taken during a spring training game.
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