In the 150 years that people have played baseball, the game itself has changed minimally. But the tools players use, and the materials used to make those tools, have changed drastically. Wooden bats were the only option for more than a century, until the introduction of aluminum bats in the 1970s. Players still use both wooden and metal bats, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Durability
When you watch a professional baseball game, it's obvious that even the best wood bats in the world break often. Even if you are not facing 100 mile per hour fastballs, your wooden bat probably will break eventually. However, according to a study done by Daniel A. Russell at Ketting University, some composite bats can last for more than 2,000 hits if broken in correctly. Even aluminum bats can last years if they are not misused.
Weight
The average wood bat weighs 2 or 3 ounces less than its length in inches. Because of the weight and density of wood, it is virtually impossible to make the bat much lighter without compromising its stability. Metal bats,on the other hand, can be much lighter relative to their length--sometimes as much as 10 or 15 ounces lighter than the length in inches. This makes aluminum bats the most popular option for youth leagues, where children don't yet have the strength to swing a heavy bat. However, as children get older, most leagues restrict the amount of differential allowed between weight and length, so check with your league before you buy a bat.
Performance
Science has developed bats made from materials like graphite, fiberglass and resin in order to drive a ball faster and farther once it leaves the bat. The latest new technology is composite bats. While they can send a ball flying farther than ever, most composite bats have a break-in period that can last anywhere from 300 to 500 hits before they reach their full potential. Wood bats don't have any break-in period at all.
Safety
The biggest safety hazard of wooden bats is that they break, which can send sharp shards of bat flying. On the other hand, many leagues--including high school leagues in New York City--have banned the use of metal bats. They believe the ball leaves a metal bat with so much speed that a player might not be able to react fast enough to protect himself from a ball hit right at him.
Price
Most wood bats cost from $30 up to $100. The cost varies according to the wood and the manufacturer. Metal bats vary in price by a much wider margin. Aluminum bats generally cost between $30 and $125, while the more technologically advanced composite bats cost $300 or more.
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