This is an argument that comes up every single off-season at least once on this site about the use of Wood Bats vs Metal Bats. There is currently a case in a Montana court room where a pitcher was struck by a ball in the temple and died a few hours later when a blood clot formed. The pitcher’s parents are suing Hillerich & Bradsby which is the parent company of Louisville Slugger.
You can check out an article from Wave-TV with some quotes from Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell by clicking here.
I am of the belief that Metal Bats are important and keep the game more interesting then it is at the professional levels. I have seen a few college games at lower levels played with wood bats and the game featured many broken bat singles or bloopers to the outfield. If these bats were used throughout the season at the D-1 level, then the same type of game is going to happen in my opinion.
Are you pro or against Wood Bats being in the College game? Leave your comments below.
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Brian, I think the benefits of having wood bats in younger players hands can’t be underestimated. For one, it is true preparation for the highest level. In the other sports, is there any such difference between what equipment is used on the pro and amateur levels? Two, aluminum bats make bad hitters, there is no way around it. The amount of forgiveness an aluminum bat provides is unbelievable. Look at the ball that Vlad hit last night that squeeked through the infield. With an aluminum bat in his hand, that thing has an extra 10 mph going through, with no chance for the infielders. At that is on a ball that is well away from the sweet spot. And here is what I think ends up being the big catch 22 in the argument. Colleges say that it makes for a more boring game. But overall, isn’t baseball considered a break even sport at most? The fear of delving into steroids was that fans wouldn’t come out to the ballpark without home runs. Haven’t the major leagues had a couple of years of good attendance while trying to crack down? I would think that MLB would be pushing hard for the change to wood, as it would allow them to have more one to one evaluations for what they will be asking players to do, plus it will mean less time they have to spend getting hitters accustomed to wood. So wood should be back in every baseball player’s hand.
Scott,
You would kill the reason why all the kids would have to play in these great summer leagues around the country. I like the metal bats as it keeps the games more interesting. At the highest levels of D-1, many of the kids can hit with wood and metal so it isn’t that big of an issue. I think the lower edges of D-1 like the Northeast Conference, MEAC, SWAC, etc. could struggle with such a move.
Brian,
Would it really kill it? I don’t think that is the only reason that kids play those leagues. I think it is a way for them to showcase their abilities against other good players. I don’t think many kids would turn down that chance. As far as ability, kids can’t hit with wood because they haven’t been forced to. Make them hit with wood in practice and in games, and improvement will naturally come. The aluminum has become a crutch. My issue has been all the reasons go back to spectator issues. The only argument that I think could hold much water has been the financial one of buying wooden bats that will break more than alumnium. I think that has been shown to not be as much of an issue as aluminum bats have gotten to be $350 and more. That is about the equivalent of 3 wooden bats. Again, my view goes back to the basic question–why are we having players at amateur levels using equipment that is radi ally different from what is used at the pro levels? I agree that for the first 3-4 years, it would be a difficult adjustment for some kids at the lower levels, but I think that it returns to baseline once kids work with wood bats more and learn the intricacies.
Scott,
I have a Division 2 league in my area in the country that uses Wood bats for conference games and it is borderline unwatchable. Once the post season comes around, they switch to metal and it is much better games and more exciting.
I can make an argument either way. Most schools do not pay for bats right now at the D-1 level as they either get paid to use a certain companies bats or get them for free.
Wood bats all the way. No question in my mind.
As the old commercial said, Chicks dig the Long Ball!
Corbin is ahead of the game on this one.
No composites or just go to wood.
There is no doubt that aluminum bats add an exciting element to the game with all the long bombs and the screaming line drives. But I prefer a strategic, well managed and old fashioned game of baseball so of course I’d have to say I prefer wood bats. Not to mention it helps with the devolopment of the hitter because swinging with wood forces you to swing with proper mechanics. It’s almost impossible to get lucky with wood, but with aluminum you can go up to the plate with the wrong approach and then take a bad cut, but still luck out, find the barrel, hit the ball hard and get a good result.