When Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run to break Hank Aaron’s record, his bat was made of maple, not ash as many bats are.
Maple bat lovers say those bats have a bigger “sweet spot” and that they transfer more power to the ball because maple is harder than ash. So the argument goes.
But when they break — and bats do break — maple bats tend to shatter and send splinters everywhere.
The Chicago Tribune says Major League Baseball has ordered an investigation into why so many maple bats are shattering and endangering players, especially pitchers. Infielders and pitchers are particularly at risk, according to the Tribune:
“Usually when you hear the bat crack and it starts flying, your main concern is that bat, as opposed to the ball,” said White Sox third baseman Joe Crede. “I’ve seen them stick in the ground like lawn darts.
“It’s a matter of time before something bad happens, before the sharp end of the bat hits somebody.”
The story continues:
Players cite the maple’s hard exterior and (believe it or not), their durability.
Very few want to switch back to ash, and it appears the players’ union will be on their side if MLB ever tries to outlaw maple.
The sides are united in working for solutions through a health and safety committee, meeting for the first time in June.
“We are very concerned about the safety of maple,” MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said.
Earlier this season, the potential danger of the shattering bats hit home for the Pirates when hitting coach Don Long was struck in the left cheek with a splintered remnant of Nate McLouth’s bat after McLouth doubled in the eighth inning of a game in Los Angeles on April 15.
Long, who was looking away from home plate, was left with a large gash and bled heavily, ultimately requiring 10 stitches. The wooden piece just missed his eye.
Some throughout the game have called for banning the maple bats, citing the safety issue for players, coaches and fans.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:
When you ask them, most baseball people say the increasing number of broken bats is largely due to the narrower handles. Players like the skinnier handles in order to increase bat speed.
