Aluminum vs. Wood

[voiceoflg]

Apologies if this was posted on this board already.

New Jersey is considering it.

"New Jersey lawmakers last Thursday began considering making the state the first to completely ban metal bats from youth sports.

Though Assembly lawmakers released the bill from committee, clearing it for a possible vote by the full house, it’s a long way from becoming law. Little League officials and bat manufacturers oppose it."

[UMP25]

Now why would Little League, who is often criticized for going "overboard" regarding safety rules, be opposed to banning aluminum bats? Does Easton give $$$ to L.L.? Just wondering.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Now why would Little League, who is often criticized for going "overboard" regarding safety rules, be opposed to banning aluminum bats? Does Easton give $$$ to L.L.? Just wondering.

Do Bears popo in the woods?

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Now why would Little League, who is often criticized for going "overboard" regarding safety rules, be opposed to banning aluminum bats? Does Easton give $$$ to L.L.? Just wondering.

I don't speak for LL, but I can speculate:

• Little League is a national organization. Having one set of rules in one state would be more difficult to adminster, especially in playoffs.
• LL already addresses the safety issue with specific guidelines for LL bats, and may feel that the cost/safety tradeoff has already been optimized.
• I'm pretty sure that ESPN provides more money to LL than any other corporation. I can't remember if equipment companies sponsor the games on ESPN, but any activity that diminishes the commercial value of the LL WS might be an issue. (This is why I'm not a whole-hearted supporter of the current version of the LL WS.)
• I sure got the impression that the LL WS helmets were all supplied by one manufactorer, but I would guess that each team brought their own (usually individually owned) bats.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

Apologies if this was posted on this board already.

New Jersey is considering it.

"New Jersey lawmakers last Thursday began considering making the state the first to completely ban metal bats from youth sports.

Though Assembly lawmakers released the bill from committee, clearing it for a possible vote by the full house, it’s a long way from becoming law. Little League officials and bat manufacturers oppose it."

glad to see LL is doing something right NJ expects kids even such as 5-6 year olds to swing a wood bat? They are heavier then metal.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

glad to see LL is doing something right NJ expects kids even such as 5-6 year olds to swing a wood bat? They are heavier then metal.

I'm sorry guys, please allow me:

Dan,

What are you talking about?

Don't you think that there are lightweight wood bats, and very heavy aluminum bats? Bats come in all lengths, weights, and barrel tapers. When I was 5 or 6, I swung a wood bat, because that's what we had then. And it was made for little 5 year old kids. Nice and light.

Which weighs more Dan, a ton of steel, or a ton of feathers?

[LLPA13UmpDan]

they weigh the same

[PWL]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

they weigh the same

You didn't expect Dan to fall for that old trick did you? He got you there, Uncle Steve........

[tiger49]

In Ontario, Canada. We start using exclusively wood starting at the age of 17. I tend not to agree with using wood at this age as it seems that the kids don't know how to hit with wood so that a two run lead is almost like a 7 run lead with the metal bats.

[umpduck11]

When I work the occasional "wood bat" high school age tournaments, I find
it sad how poorly today's kids hit with wood bats. But I realize the cause is the fact that they do not have any experience or practice with wood bats.