batwarmer

[MikeStrybel]

My son is a pitcher. I have a problem with a batter gaining an illegal advantage.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

My son is a pitcher. I have a problem with a batter gaining an illegal advantage.

Is a bat used in 90 degree F ambient OK but a bat warmed to 90 degrees F on a 40 degree F day not?

If so, why?

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Is a bat used in 90 degree F ambient OK but a bat warmed to 90 degrees F on a 40 degree F day not?

If so, why?

You answered your own question. Having to apply an artificial source of heat to the bat is an attempt to gain an advantage. As the father of a young pitcher, I see this as dangerous cheating.

[kylejt]

I'm sure your answer would be different if your son were a catcher or umpire, and an ice cold metal bat were be swung in front of their face.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I'm sure your answer would be different if your son were a catcher or umpire, and an ice cold metal bat were be swung in front of their face.

With all due respect, your inference is irrelevant. Living in the Chicago suburbs, our seasons begin cold. He faces cold bats all of the time and is learning how to respond to balls hit from them. If a bat has been artificially warmed on such a day, the bat will react differently. That IS what the companies show in their studies, after all...and why they are considered illegal for HS baseball, where safety rules the day.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

With all due respect, your inference is irrelevant. Living in the Chicago suburbs, our seasons begin cold. He faces cold bats all of the time and is learning how to respond to balls hit from them. If a bat has been artificially warmed on such a day, the bat will react differently. That IS what the companies show in their studies, after all...and why they are considered illegal for HS baseball, where safety rules the day.

It depends how cold it actually is. I play softball from the beginning of February to the end of October in Texas. When the weather is cooler, not cold, the air is thinner here, the ball will fly further, and with more velocity than in the hot, hot summer months. Most ball fields around here are bottom land (land that is close to rivers and creeks), and generally not used for development. Bat manufacturers recommend not to use some bats below a certain temperature. The reason, bats will become harder (contract), and become brittle which increases the chances of the bat breaking. A bat warmer will maybe/maybe not make the bat less susceptible to breaking. I think it is more of a gimmick, than an advantage to a hitter. Excessive heat will make a bat expand, thus more susceptible to breakage, also.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

When the weather is cooler, not cold, the air is thinner here,

Uh, no.

[Steven Tyler]

These things came in vogue about 10 years ago when all the bats got so expensive. While a bat will contract or expand slightly in hot and cold weather, it still isn't noticeable to the naked eye. It does however damage the sturdiness of the material it is made of.

The senior softball bats that are made of a carbon shell will show what will look like a little scratch on the "painted" part. A few swings later it will look like the fender of an old Corvette that was slightly bumped into.

I suggest that you always store your umpire or sports equipment at room temperature to protect it from elements like extreme heat or cold.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

You answered your own question. Having to apply an artificial source of heat to the bat is an attempt to gain an advantage. As the father of a young pitcher, I see this as dangerous cheating.

It's not dangerous because the bat would be at the same temperature it would be on a normal 90 degree day.

Or is playing on a 90 degree day dangerous?

[kylejt]

I fully understand Mike's concern, if heating up a bat would make it perform beyond it's ratings, and not just up to it.

Which begs the next question: Do testing facilities ever test at different temperatures? I'm guessing they don't.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I fully understand Mike's concern, if heating up a bat would make it perform beyond it's ratings, and not just up to it.

Which begs the next question: Do testing facilities ever test at different temperatures? I'm guessing they don't.

Any testing lab that does'nt, certainlly isn't one I would want to certify my product though.

By the way, I did a 12 inning HS scrimmage yesterday and one team used wood bats and the other BBCOR certified alluminum. 75 deg for entire game and one school was State Champions last year and the other was fairly matched in talent. Not sure if it was all bat performance or early season player performance however this was not a slugging contest. Many players commented about getting good contact with BBCOR, seems to be more important with the new bats, rather than any type of contact. Just under 3 hours for entire scrimmage. Three of us rotated 4 innings each on the dish. If this is any indications of the upcoming season. It works for me.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I fully understand Mike's concern, if heating up a bat would make it perform beyond it's ratings, and not just up to it.

Which begs the next question: Do testing facilities ever test at different temperatures? I'm guessing they don't.

Begs the question is not the same as "makes me wonder" or "raises the question". Begs the question actually begs a specific question, one cannot just make up any old question that is being begged. The question that is being begged is "what is the support for your argument?"

Begs the question is used when an argument is circular and makes no sense or is invalid.

Person 1: "This food is tasty because it is delicious."
Person 2: "That begs the question."

Tasty and delicious basically mean the same thing. Saying that something is tasty because it is delicious is not a valid argument. This begs the question. Person 1 must better support their argument about why the food is tasty.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Begs the question is not the same as "makes me wonder" or "raises the question". Begs the question actually begs a specific question, one cannot just make up any old question that is being begged. The question that is being begged is "what is the support for your argument?"

Begs the question is used when an argument is circular and makes no sense or is invalid.

Person 1: "This food is tasty because it is delicious."
Person 2: "That begs the question."

Tasty and delicious basically mean the same thing. Saying that something is tasty because it is delicious is not a valid argument. This begs the question. Person 1 must better support their argument about why the food is tasty.

I beg your pardon.

(I wonder what your plate conferences are like)

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I fully understand Mike's concern, if heating up a bat would make it perform beyond it's ratings, and not just up to it.

Which begs the next question: Do testing facilities ever test at different temperatures? I'm guessing they don't.

You missed my point.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

It's not dangerous because the bat would be at the same temperature it would be on a normal 90 degree day.

Or is playing on a 90 degree day dangerous?

Warming a bat to 90 degrees doesn't equate it to being played in 90-degree weather.