Why not just ban maple bats?

by jbox on Aug 18, 2008 9:18 AM PDT

The short answer is because Major League Baseball likes to study things to death and never actually make a decision. They have a chance right now to be proactive and fix a problem before a player or fan is seriously hurt or killed but they are going to wait until someone is hurt because it will be easier to get people to buy into the change.

I like the idea of changing the rules so that if a bat breaks and flies onto the field than you are out. You'll see players stop using maple bats really quickly.

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Players love 'em.

What’s the number, 60% of players love ‘em. You can’t just go ripping the bats away from them. Superstition meltdowns.

I’ve said this before, but I think players shouldn’t reuse their bats until death. When Bonds started turning in his bats after every at-bat for self-promotion, he broke far fewer bats on the field.

Also, no more sanding off 1/8th inch of the bat. It’s just plain physics.

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?

by Axion on Aug 18, 2008 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

If MLB bans maple

kiss ash goodbye.

by A Whales Vajayjay on Aug 18, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

Wow

Juan Uribe threatens his bats with his own deportation.

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?

by Axion on Aug 18, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

What they should do

Is spend some money to research a bat made of composite material that acts just like a wood bat and then outlaw wood bats and save some trees. I’m actually pretty sure they already have bats that meet these specs. I posted a link to them a while back, but I don’t have it saved anywhere. I think this solution works for all.

I don't have to always be right. I just have to always think I'm right.

by Wonko on Aug 18, 2008 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

I want metal bats

I like that ping – unlike these guys.

Regarding nets – just make them out of fishing line filament and you won’t even see them.

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana"
Groucho Marx

by planetjeffy on Aug 18, 2008 4:57 PM PDT reply actions

Batters would reasonably object

What umpire could tell if a catcher were cheating by pushing the netting a bit on a pop foul behind the plate?

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Aug 18, 2008 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions

While we're at it - Throw bat = you're out.

I say if you throw your bat after a swing, you’re out.

These are big boys who get paid an awful lot – being responsible enough to hold on to your bat should be part of the game.

In protest of adulthood

by Bradicus on Aug 18, 2008 8:57 PM PDT reply actions

How about a particle board bat?

Its cheap and disintegrates upon hitting anything.

If that doesnt work, just make it into a, um, one of these.

Chicks Dig the Bullpen. Last years'. This year's is meager.

by eastbaysd on Aug 18, 2008 11:29 PM PDT reply actions

I like this idea

If it’s made of particle board, everybody will be able to buy their bats at IKEA.

bätt by designer eastbäysd

by Dex on Aug 19, 2008 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Ja, Herr Dex

IKEA would make everyone toodle through the Bats Department to get to any other section in the store.

Chicks Dig the Bullpen. Last years'. This year's is meager.

by eastbaysd on Aug 19, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions

This is all speculation

I have YET to see from any reputable source the results of independent testing verifying that ash bats or maple bats splinter at differing rates. What seems to me to be indisputable is that bat weights have plummeted, and the way this has been accomplished is to reduce the diameter of the bat handle and/or to extend it much further up the length of the bat. A longer, possibly narrower handle will be intrinsically more fragile, maple or ash.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Aug 18, 2008 11:40 PM PDT reply actions

You're probably right... Therefore...

I still like the idea that we’ve pitched for a while that regardless of what the bat’s made of, if it any part of it enters the field of play during a live ball, the batter’s out. Some guys will take the risk, but most will start to figure out alternative solutions.

by Dex on Aug 19, 2008 6:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Video guy = creepy

I expected him to start by saying, “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.”

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Aug 18, 2008 11:43 PM PDT reply actions

I was thinkin the same thing

Before he opened his mouth, I’m thinking that MLB has hired a Russkie to blahnik, blahnik,blahnik, yada,yada,yada about bats, then the camera pulls back and hes strokin a kitty.

Chicks Dig the Bullpen. Last years'. This year's is meager.

by eastbaysd on Aug 18, 2008 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions