ASA is softball so it doesn't matter whether the item is approved by ASA. This is a baseball forum and NHFS says no to artificial bat warmers. Yes, Rich, it is alright to let your metal bat warm in the sun - just as it is okay to sit on your bat to warm it up.

Of course, real bats (wood) do not need warming up!

Of course wood bats need warming up. Wood is not different that any other material. A material's ductility is a function of its temperature. Of course a material's temperature is only one variable in a material's ductility. But wood's natural ductility is greater than metal.

But remember when sitting on a wood bat, splinters are a possiblity, :eek:.

MTD, Sr.

The next thing we will be worried about is the players body temperature prior to handling the bat. Not directed to you john, however some officials need to get a freaking life. Most of these HS players have enough trouble making contact. I understand the importance of having standard and safe equipment but looking for bats on top of the dugout is almost like brushing the bases and pitching plate after each inninng.

Sometimes , you just have to umpire!

hahahahaha
me too

Easy now. There are many of us who work both baseball and softball so some points may be brought up based on others' knowledge and experience. With that said, I agree 100% - Yes, the two sports are completely different when it comes to bats.

For those of you "dual" officials - I contacted the representative of the company (I like to get to the bottom of things without wasting much time.) The approval came in 2010. There has been no continual approval. ASA changed the rule and the device is now strictly prohibited in ASA (although I don't expect that to be on the company's website). SOFTBALL INTERP. ONLY!

Nahhhh.

Twas an attempt at humor and a poke at a questionable rule Ozzy.

You can't warm it in the sun if you put it on the tin roof but you can if you lean it on the fence?

What if it's a concrete roof, not a tin roof?

How about a fiberglass roof?

Can you leave your personal bat in your personal black equipment bag in the sun between ABs?

Normal ambient temperature conditions in Arizona will yield a warmer bat than one in NY or CT. Should we make them cool the bats in AZ?

I know, Rich... I was continuing the fun. :D

If a player sticks a bat under his armpit to warm it up, I say nothing
If a team happens to lean their bats against a fence which happens to be facing the sun, I say nothing.
If a team constructs an Archimedes Heat Ray directed at their bats, then we have a problem.

I didn't know how that Archimedes messed around with Heat Rays. I thought he just scribbled numbers on parchment and convinced everyone around him that he was smarter the they were.

You could roast it over a fire as long as no accelerants were used to light the fire. Arson investigation was a big discussion at this year's winter meetings.

An example was used in our state clinic that bats are not allowed on the dugout top because it can warm the bats.

I have never seen a team with bat warmers or laying them on the roof. I think much ado about nothing.

Direct quote from one of the commentators in a game I was PU last year: "I like the fact he's calling strikes, but I'd wish he'd call more. The ink in my pen has frozen."

If you've ever hit a ball with aluminum in sub-freezing temperatures, you'll know why teams would warm their bats.

That OMG effect is from mi****ting the ball. Amplified a lot when it's cold.

Rich: re: **** - was that you or the profanity filter?

Wait - I can get that answer myself.

Mi****ting