subinf

I didn't find any topics in a search.

What is everyone's opinion regarding the use of metal baseball bats for high school games?

There have always been injuries blamed on the use of metal bats. I've never cared either way. When I played in Little League I used metal bats, mainly because nothing else was supplied. In high school my preference was wood bats. I didn't feel my swing was that much better using metal, and I felt that much better about myself when I hit for extra bases.

Anyway, this was recently an issue regarding one of the high schools in the athletic league.

http://www.marinij.com/ci_14758322

jupitersolo

Metal bats have been mostly used because of their life span. I would say that the pitcher would be injured if the bat had been wood.

Morrissey25

iTrader: (4)

IMHO, wood bats are the way to go. I try to get my players to use wood as often as possible (it will make them a better hitter in the long run). I just worry that to many people are getting sue crazy and are looking for money where ever they can get it. If the pitcher got hit in the head it must be the metal bats fault. If he got hit in the head with a wood bat would they just change the whole game to nerf? I say, grow a set and if you are going to be a pitcher, you better be ready to field a ball hit back up the middle. Maybe the pitcher should have made a better pitch. Accidents happen.

subinf

I'm too lazy to search but I do remember reading something a few years back that spoke to the acceleration of the baseball from metal bats versus wood bats.

For me, I've always considered it part of the game. I'd be surprised if a lawsuit results from this specific injury. I think a lot of players (and parents) relaize its inherent. However, if wooden bats do result in a slower acceleration, then sure, it makes things easier.

paz840

iTrader: (2)

I also think wood bats are the way to go.

Although injuries from batted balls are inevitable, balls are hit harder and come off aluminum bats faster than wooden bats.

Also, aluminum bats have wider sweet spots and are more forgiving than wood bats, which can create bad hitting habits in kids, especially evident when they have to move up to high school or college and start using wood bats.

SirBLaughs

iTrader: (1)

Here's a good article on metal vs wood bats:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-...ts-cover_N.htm

I for one hate metal/aluminum bats. But I can see how cost efficient they are for high schools with low budgets. They dont break, they dont warp in weather and are durable season after season. I'd prefer HS kids to learn and use wood bats because it's what the pros use and it only trains them for the future.
But we all dont go to that rich suburban school with the lush green grass and tasty school lunch now do we - yah Im a hater i went to NYC public school and we had concrete for a field lol...

hdcolumbus

From Little League to high school, wooden bats were never even an option for us. Metal cleats weren't even allowed until high school.

bgsm1th

I was a pitcher for my varsity HS team 3 years in a row where wood bats weren't even an option and I had my fair share batted ball related injuries - broken nose, broken rib, I still have stitch-marks in my ass from a line drive almost 15 years ago...

I also played several seasons in a post-HS league using only wooden bats and the pop from a solid hit using a metal bat had no comparison.

Wood bats are, without question, more safe. But as a high school pitcher I guess I just viewed it as an occupational hazard since NO ONE in the Minnesota State High School League used wooden bats. As my coach told me after the hit that broke my rib "if you wouldn't have hung that curve, you wouldn't have gotten hit." Thanks coach...