[mrm21711]

Some interesting quotes from crew chief Dana DeMuth:

Following that injury, Danley began wearing a more protective helmet, one similar to those worn by hockey goalies and many Major League catchers. DeMuth said Danley's latest head injury might have been much worse without that particular helmet.

"He wasn't cut or anything," DeMuth said. "The bat got all helmet and that's a good helmet to have for it, because a lot of us don't wear stuff where the protection is [on the side and back of the head] and I believe that's where it hit him.

"That's why he has the helmet he has. That gives him the extra protection. That's a very good helmet to have -- it's just very uncomfortable. But when you got a delicate head and you've had head injuries before, it's one of the best things to have."

Over the past few years, there has been growing concern about the use of maple bats, which have seemed to shatter more often and easier than other types of wood. The bat used by Blalock against the Blue Jays was made of ash, avoiding any more fuel to that controversy.

DeMuth said maple bats, and whether they are a realistic problem, are not a main cause of worry among umpires.

"We can't be concerned about that," DeMuth said. "You don't even think about that stuff as an umpire when you're back there. Otherwise, you'd be doing all sorts of motions and ducking and all that. That's the last thing you think about, broken bats."