Baseball, America's "National Pastime," has evolved over the years. But was it meant to be played with an aluminum bat? The first Louisville Slugger wooden baseball bat was created in 1884. Wooden bats have enjoyed a healthy existence in Major League Baseball and their affiliated minor league system. Aluminum baseball bats entered the game in the 1970s and have become lighter and more durable than their wooden counterparts. However, they have not been accepted into Major League Baseball.
Wooden Baseball Bats
The majority of wooden bats are made from ash, but maple bats have also become popular. Pine tar is frequently used on the handle of wooden bats to improve grip. Barry Bonds' 2001 single-season major league home run record was set using maple bats. According to Major League Baseball Official rules 1.10 (a), "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2 3/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood. (b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to one inch in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added. (c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18 inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game.
Aluminum Baseball Bats
Aluminum baseball bats have evolved since their introduction in the 1970s. These bats have been made increasingly lighter and more durable. A lighter bat means that a hitter will have a faster bat speed and the baseball comes off of an aluminum bat much faster than off of a wooden one. When a baseball is hit close to the handle it is said the player was "sawed off." With an aluminum bat the hitter may receive an uncomfortable vibration when he is "sawed off," but unlike a wooden bat, the aluminum bat will not break. Aluminum bats are acceptable for play in most youth leagues and at the high school and collegiate level.
Baseball Bat Safety
Major League Baseball has never authorized the use of anything other than wooden bats for play. Baseball is steeped in tradition and statistics and allowing aluminum bats would not allow comparative statistics between players who set records using wooden bats versus those using aluminum bats. However, player safety is a significant reason that aluminum bats are not legal in Major League Baseball. A baseball travels further and faster off an aluminum bat as compared to a ball hit by a wooden bat. Lawsuits have been successful against aluminum bat manufacturers for failing to adequately warn of the dangers associated with an aluminum bat. Pitchers may not have time to react to a line drive hit back at them and a blow to the head can result in a severe head injury.
How to Choose a Wooden Baseball Bat
Ash baseball bats are usually cheaper than maple bats, but as maple bats have gained popularity their prices have been dropping. When buying a maple bat make sure you purchase a hard maple such as rock or sugar maple. Other maples are not as hard and durability of those is suspect. Although wooden bats are known for breaking, steps can be taken to minimize the risk. The label and the side opposite the label are known as the weaker areas of the bat most susceptible to breaking. A hitter should always keep the label facing up or down when contacting the baseball to minimize breakage. A wooden bat used for batting practice should have the barrel taped to help prevent breakage or flaking of the bat.
How to Choose an Aluminum Bat
If you are choosing an aluminum baseball bat for a youth league player please check with your league prior to purchase to see what their rules are regarding the diameter of the barrel of the bat. An aluminum bat to be used at the high school or collegiate level needs to have a BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) certification and label. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, a new rule will be adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations that specifies that the bat should be a "smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap to the top of the knob." The new rule also states that non-wood bats must be labeled with a rectangular certification mark "a minimum of a half-inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color."
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