Broken Bats: They're everywhere! Mainly Canada.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Been watching a TON of games with my new MLB TV package and I have been noticing a lot more broken bats than usual.

 

It's not just me . . .

 

LINK

 

"We are very concerned about the safety of maple," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said.

"They have to do something," Long said. "If it were a couple of times a week that it happened, it would be different. But it's strange if you don't see it two or three times in a game. It's every day. Something has to be done.

"I understand the psyche that goes into (players sticking with maple). If you think it's going to perform better, it probably will. But at the same time there has to be a way to make a more effective product."

"More effective" would translate into less breakage and certainly a shorter flying distance for the barrel end.

 

Damn Canadians. Fix the problem or we'll send back Alan Thicke!

 

http://www.charlesrapp.com/Images/athicke.jpg

[And That]

MLB should finally get with the times and go to metal bats.

[Oldcity]

MLB should finally get with the times and go to metal bats.

Really? You don't think that's extremely dangerous for pitchers? Not to mention all statistics would need to be re-sorted.

I've actually heard more rumblings about banning metal bats in high school and particularly college.

 

[And That]

Really?

Metal bats and no gloves. Oh yes.

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[TSack27]

I think there are probably a similar number of broken bats today, it's just that many of the old ash bats would break along the length and remain connected, whereas the newer maple models just explode. Bud seems to acknowledge that employees (and customers) are at a greater risk now, hopefully it won't take something worse than this for them to remedy the problem -

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-bats052908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

Sad that a team can pay players $10M+/year, but their insurance company doesn't step up to help with a $7K medical bill. I'd like to think if that happened in Milwaukee, the players would pass the hat and help out their fans (although it would probably be twisted into some legal admission of guilt).

[MessiahRp]

Metal bats should be banned at all levels IMO.

 

As for the whole Maple Bats thing, guys are trying to get lighter and lighter to increase swing speeds. The lighter the bat the easier they break.

 

I guess we'll never go back to the days where Ruth used a 42 oz. bat. It would be interesting to see though.

 

http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/equip5.htm

[tomwopat]

MLB should finally get with the times and go to metal bats.

 

How about finally throwing pitchers a bone, and only permitting table legs to be brought to the plate?http://solidwood-country-furniture.com/images/CustomTableLegs.jpg