Another reason to get rid of aluminum bats

[PeteBooth]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

All I can say is that a game played by wood bats on average is completed in at least 15 minutes to 1/2 hour sooner then metal. (PRO ball excluded)

Also, since the players went to metal bats I have set up in a deeper B / C position then I normally would if they were using wood bats. Almost "bought the farm" a few times with a shot off of a metal bat.

You do not get those "cheap" hits with wood as you do with Al bats. I have seen hitters jammed but with metal they still get those bloop base hits and that just drives the pitchers crazy.

I am NOT saying that I have not had a gem of a game when the particpants used metal but on average throughout my career the games are quicker when they use wood.

Other then economics I can't see using metal at the collegiate level because the "next stop" for those that are fortunate enough to make it is PRO ball where wood is used. Those HR's they hit in college are now a "can of corn" in the PROS.

All in all I prefer to umpire in a wooden bat game any day of the week compared to metal.

Pete Booth

[SAump]

Beckett hit in the head Added: 04/10/1000:244/10/10: Josh Beckett is hit in the head by David DeJesus' single but stays in the game

[MrUmpire]

Is there any other sport in which high school and college teams play with equipment so substantially different and illegal in the pro version?

[pastordoug]

Had a game 2 years ago, AAU National Tournament @ Cooperstown. Pitcher took one in the head (I was in C) and I thought it killed him... The ball continued in flight to the outfield where the left fielder caught it. I reacted to the pitcher getting hit and killed the play (I really thought the worst). Happy to report that pitcher was ok (call it a miricle). One of the worst, and hopefully the last, plays I have been part of.

[UmpJM]

Pastordoug,

Did you call the out on the catch?

JM

[pastordoug]

Yes, out on catch.... Might have had more outs if I hadn't killed the play because we had others on base. But my first instinct was for the pitchers safety.

[TwoBits]

I am the original poster. This past weekend at a tournament I was officiating an 11 year old pitcher was hit by a line drive on the cheekbone. His cheek split open and his face became a bloody mess. It lloked like he would need several stitches. Hopefully it did not break a bone in his face.