Story on Danger from Maple Bats

[SAump]

Another bad maple bat story.
Broken maple bat strikes umpire on the head.
No concussion, but left game for treatment.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Amazingly, the following story broke 33 minutes before the one above.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[SAump]

2008 MLB Season Unofficial Count (BS)
4 to 8 umpire misjudgements when HR ruled not HR
4 to 8 umpire misjudgements when Non-HR ruled HR
12 total in 4 months
Rate of 2 to 4 per month
MLB Action: Instant Replay to be used beginning in August
MLB Reaction: Years of tradition turned on a dime

2008 MLB Season Unofficial Count
1 umpire received concussion from blow to the side of the head
1 umpire received a mild concussion and bloody forehead
1 coach received a sliced, bloody left cheek {of his face}
1 fan received a shattered jaw along with her concussion
4 total in 4 months
Rate of 1 serious head or facial injury a month over 4 months
MLB Action: MLB is looking into it
MLB Reaction: Handled better than 15 years of nonexistent steroid policy

How about providing fans with helmet protection from flying maple bats, see implementation of recent helmet requirement
How about 10ft netting dugout to dugout at MLB ballparks, turning over years of denial on a dime similar to IR {about time?}
How about 1/8 of an inch thicker MAPLE bat handles until that bat safety study is conducted, research recommendations from bat manuacturers are implemented, and new safety guidelines are written into MLB Rules