Letter From ASA concerning bats

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I still wish ASA would only allow bats that have the 2000 or 2004 stamp on them. Get rid of those old 10+ year old bats and end this debate. Umpire's discretion does not always create consistency.

Unless it is the old iron-bat red Louisville, IMJ, the bat was made after 2000. There are still bottom-feeding teams (speaking financially... use hand-me-downs, etc.) that have those old red standbys on their bat racks.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Unless it is the old iron-bat red Louisville, IMJ, the bat was made after 2000. There are still bottom-feeding teams (speaking financially... use hand-me-downs, etc.) that have those old red standbys on their bat racks.

And I agree that these teams have it tough. If they're truly that hard-up for cash that they can't go out and buy a $30 to get with the safety program, then they should print out the list of approved bats to show us that the bat is okay.

The concept that is central to this whole bat issue is safety. If ASA takes steps to increase the safety factors of the game, teams will need to adjust. For example, if ASA previously allowed kids to wear metal cleats, then decided to restrict them to adults-only, you won't hear anyone complain too much about that. Why should the bats be any different?