The introduction of aluminum baseball bats to the market in the 1970s gave consumers a new choice when buying a baseball bat. The traditional wood bat buyers had many customers who remained loyal, but those who bought aluminum bats quickly found that they could hit the ball with more authority on a consistent basis. Both types of bats have positive and negative characteristics.
Aluminum Bats
Aluminum bats are generally lighter and stronger than wood bats. According to physics studies done at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan, baseball players are able to take advantage of the greater trampoline effect with aluminum bats. This will make the ball fly off the bat faster and allow the ball to fly farther than it does off of a wood bat. As a result, batters may have more confidence when they use an aluminum bat in game competition.
Wood Bats
For those who started off playing baseball with wood bats, it maybe difficult for them to get used to swinging with any other type of baseball bat. To many hitters who continue to hit with wood bats, it is the subjective "feel" of the bat hitting the ball that keeps the musing traditional wood bats. Wood bats can be made of maple or ash. Throughout much of the 20th century, batters used bats made out of hickory. That material is rarely used anymore. Batters who use wood bats know that the distance they get is a result of their own ability and has nothing to do with the type of bat they are using.
Durability
Aluminum bats have a significant edge on wood bats in terms of durability. While aluminum bats may cost two to three times more than wood bats, they will last for many seasons. Wood bats can break on the first pitch if the batter is up against an overpowering pitcher or the ball is hit on the wrong part of the bat. As a result, many youth leagues, high schools and colleges only use aluminum bats. Over the long run, the aluminum bat is more cost efficient.
Dangers
Certain dangers are associated with aluminum and wood bats. Since the ball will fly faster when it is hit off the sweet spot of the aluminum bat, infielders can find themselves in harm's way when a hard line drive is hit directly at the player. This is particularly true of the pitcher, who is the closest fielder to the ball. In many youth leagues, the diameter of the barrel will be limited to prevent youngsters from getting hit with hard line drives. While this can happen with wood bats, it is much less likely. On the other hand, wood bats can shatter when they hit the ball in an usual manners. During the 2010 season, Tyler Colvin of the Chicago Cubs was impaled by a broken bat when he was running from third to home. He narrowly escaped serious injury.
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