Baseball bats have been made of oak, hickory, maple, ash, aluminum and other high-tech materials. Though metal bats have gained popularity in Little League and college ball, Major League Baseball requires the use of wooden bats. Baseball bats made of ash have been a part of the game since its beginnings in the 1880s.
Origin
The first documented ash baseball bat was crafted by John Andrew "Bud" Hillerich in 1884 in Louisville, Kentucky, according to Exploratorium. Player Pete Browning used the bat with good results and other players wanted ash bats of their own. By 1894, the Hillerich and Bradsby Company was turning out Louisville Sluggers.
Process
Ash baseball bats start with old-growth white ash trees harvested in the United States. The trees are at least 50 years old when cut, according to Exploratorium. The white ash wood dries for six to eight months, then millwrights shape the ash into round cylinders 37 inches long. An automated lathe shapes the bats to the players' specifications. Players choose a weight and diameter comfortable for them and they can specify the depth of the cup at the end of the bat, as well as the finish of the bat.
Changes
Early ash bats didn't taper as much as they do today. The handles were thicker than modern bats and the barrels smaller. Over time, the bats tapered more. In 2010, bats feature a thin handle and a large barrel. Major League Baseball rules limit the diameter of the bat's barrel to 2 3/4 inches. The bat can be no longer than 42 inches, but the rules place no restrictions on the weight of the bat. For many years, ash was the most popular wood used for baseball bats, but the University of Tennessee Forest Products Extension says it has been supplanted by maple, as of 2010.
Advantages
Players like ash bats because they're light. A typical pro bat weighs 32 or 33 ounces, allowing the player to swing the bat faster and hit the ball farther. The wood is smooth and players like the feel.
Disadvantages
Unlike metal bats, or bats made of harder woods such as hickory or maple, ash bats break more easily, especially if a player hits a ball on the thinnest part of the barrel. A professional player may use six or seven dozen bats in a single season. George Sheldon, writing in "Nine: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture," suggests the shape of the bat is not the only reason ash bats have a propensity to shatter. He says today's bats are made from younger ash trees that aren't as strong.
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