Quote:
Originally posted by Larks
Good points Dakota. If MFGs are intentionally mislabeling bats, those should be banned. I'm not sure I buy in to the composite argument but if true, I still think the right thing to do is wait and roll out the adjusted wording in the standard to account for bats that are known to break in and get beyond testing OR I would even have no problem banning composites for next year if that is the material that is best known for improved performance.
The fact remains, the players AKA the Customers made the decisions on what bats to buy based purely on what the ASA said was legal. The ASA has to take some responsibility in this regard. In my opinion, the ASA can afford to wait until next season for radical changes such as banning composites. I also stand by my position that parks allowing 44 / 525s and higher are contributiong to the problem. The 44 / 375 balls here in Cincinnati have really changed the game for the good.
I believe the ASA is playing with fire. It's important to keep the sport safe and the technology in check but the financial impact on the players should be carefully considered too. Players will not keep coming back if they feel that the ASA doesnt care about the financial impact on them. You cant honestly say you dont get that part can you?
|
Okay, you asked for it!
The customer, PLAYERS, are complaining so much that the Equipment Standards Committee was prepared to follow through with what you believe to be an unfair ban AND TAKE THE LEGAL HITS on behalf of their customer, THE PLAYERS! Luckily for ASA (and you wallet once you see the increases in registration costs it may have caused), the lawyers stepped in to avoid this possible financial fiasco.
The standards are not changing, the bats are changing. If you have anything close to a dedicated hitter on your team who uses a composite bat and s/he is truthful, they will tell you one of two things: (1) their composite bat is falling apart from use and isn't worth a damn, or (2) their composite bat has more pop now than it did new.
The big hitters knew this about the original Miken and made no secret of it, so why is it so hard to believe at this point? The only problem is that the bats which are getting hotter are a danger to everyone in front of that batter whether it be a defender or a base runner.
Is there anyone on this board, especially non-umpires who is willing to offer their time and money to visit anyone injured by a ball off these bats and explain to them that YOU didn't think it was important to get rid of the bats about which the PLAYERS have been complaining? And when you are done, can you please stop by and pitch 100 balls to me. I'll be the guy holding the Miken Ultra II in my hands at the plate.
Too many folks out there are only reading the cover to this book. Take off the wrapper and open it up with a bit of intelligence and common sense.
It's not that difficult.