Painted wood bats
 

I know MLB requires approval of bat color but now that BBCOR has come to FED I've seen more wood bats and, this weekend, a painted (school colors), bat. Am I right after consulting the rule and case book that nothing prohibits a painted wood bat in FED?

More bats are painted than not. At least in my part of the world.

Before, during, and after. :)

Okay, let's look at it this way, why would there be a problem with a painted, wood bat?

You'd be correct, unless it violates 1-3-5 in this manner: "A bat that continually discolors the ball may be removed from the game with no penalty at the discretion of the umpire."

So, unless the bat is putting colored splotches on the ball, it stays in the game.

We're talking FEDlandia, don't forget. They don't need a problem to come up with a solution in the name of safety. The paint has a less than .01% chance of being lead-based, after all.

I don't think it's necessarily FED's fault. You can thank/blame the lawyers of this country for many of FED's rules. They're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Letter from NFHS
 

I have been ordering blank wood bats from Ben Aaron bats and have been researching the legality of painting them myself. I have decided to use all-wood bats this year for my HS team in hopes there would be no issues with BBCOR. I have written many letters to different organizations, the reply below is what I am following as a guideline.


Mr. McCord,
Wood bats are permissible in high school baseball competition as long as they meet the requirements of having the diameter 2 ¾ inches or less at the thickest part and be 36 inches or less in length. We do not have criteria for paint or logo design. Thanks for the inquiry.
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
NFHS Baseball Rules Editor

Just out of curiosity:

Why does anyone care if the bats are painted at all?

The only thing I'd worry about is 1-3-2a-3: "Bats that ... deface the ball are illegal."

Guess you also have to blame the Drs. and hospitals that force the parents of the kids that got maimed, injured or otherwise to pay ridiculous dollars for their treatment. Then how about the manufacturer that is making money on a product that may be unsafe then has to be sued to make amends for a unsafe product. Or how about the politicians that allow unscroupolus manufaturers to create unsafe sporting equipment.

In then end though, how about you and me that vote the politcians in office.

There will ALWAYS be enough people around to blame.

BUT, if it was your child injured, What would you do???

Personally, I would not paint a wood bat. I have no problem with bats that are painted at the factory because they use quality lacquer and proper preparation, application and it's all done in a controlled environment.

If you do this at home, you will achieve a nice look but what happens when the bat is used? It's going to look terrible after a couple of hits because you cannot duplicate the factory work at home.

I applaud you for breaking from the metal mania and going back to basics. Besides, nothing looks better in a batter's hands than a piece of lumber. :D

I would prefer the natural colored bats to a painted one. You can take some fine sandpaper to get the lacquer coat off. They grip better, and give the bat a little roughness which helps some.

LL bans bats painted at home. The concern is that the paint may mask unsafe conditions and/or alterations..