Since their introduction in the 1970s, there has been considerable debate over the safety of aluminum bats. An aluminum bat that generates much greater batted ball speeds, has a larger sweet spot and is more durable. Aluminum and composite bats are almost universal in amateur softball and baseball because of their performance and cost savings due to their durability.
Advantages of Aluminum
While aluminum bats can break, they do not do so at near the frequency of wood bats. Wood bats tend to shatter when they break, sending shards of wood at other players and spectators. Aluminum bats do not do this and are thus thought to be safer because they do not shatter like wood bats.
Disadvantages of Aluminum
There is little dispute that modern aluminum bats produce higher batted ball speeds than wood bats. Dr. Daniel Russell of Kettering University in Flint, Michigan, states this is because an aluminum bat can be swung faster than a wood bat. Because they are hollow, aluminum bats create a trampoline effect. This increased batted ball speed reduces the amount of time that a fielder has to react to a batted ball. Higher batted ball speeds increase the chance of a ball striking a player and injuring him.
Bat Regulations
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, Little League Baseball, American Softball Association, United States Specialty Sports Association and other baseball and softball regulatory bodies have restrictions on the bats that can be used in play. Each organization has its own regulations, but the intent is the same, which is to limit batted ball speeds. These rules are in place to protect participants and the balance of the game.
Banning of Aluminum Bats
Starting with Massachusetts in 2002, several states including North Dakota, New York and New Jersey, considered banning aluminum bats from high school play. As of April 2010, only two states have done so: New York and North Dakota. The contention of those in favor of banning aluminum is that no matter the technological restrictions, aluminum bats are inherently unsafe.
Lawsuits
Recently, aluminum bat manufactures have seen a number of negligence lawsuits brought against them. In 2009, a Montana jury awarded levied a $850,000 judgement against Hillerich and Bradsby, manufacturer of Louisville Slugger, for failure to warn about the dangers of their aluminum bat. The case was brought by the family of Brandon Patch, 18, an American Legion baseball league pitcher. A line drive struck him in the head during a league game and he died hours later. Families in 2002 and 2006 brought similar cases after their children suffered serious brain injuries from batted balls.
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