Wood bats should be mandatory for safety...
 

... Or, maybe not...

Mets Fan Sues Team, Players After Broken Bat Shatters Face

Of course, if the fan reads the back of his ticket and listens to the warning given before every game, he was warned. But we wouldn't want personal responsibility to get in the way of a good lawsuit which is why things are so damn expensive as it is.

Like Irish said, you have warnings of potential harm at a baseball game on your ticket. A sport where balls,bats,players,everything flying around and you still have that not me arrogant attitude. When you redeemed your ticket you accepted these terms. I bet this guy has an attitude adjustment now.
Most youth teams don't issue tickets,more or less warnings. Maybe that's why they stick to metal. A 1 piece bat going into the crowd may be less damaging than 30 seperate pieces. Woods not the answer to safety at lower levels, BESR ( Bat Exit Ratio Speed) which is mandatory is boys high school in our state will limit the velocity of the ball. Ironically, our high school softball has no BESR limits and the field is much shorter.

If your state plays by NFHS rules they do have exit speed limits, which is 98 mph. That is the max speed allowed under the ASA certification process (the 2004 stamp) and the bats with 2000 stamps that are still approved.

If you believe that metal bats don't shatter, you have obviously never seen a DeMarini being used in cold weather. I have seen not one, but two, virtually explode upon contact. In each case, the handle stayed with batter and the various other parts flew primarily into the infield.

However, wood bats, metal bats, helmets, facemasks, bat exit speeds, CORE levels, rubber v. metal cleats....etc. are not the answer. What people have to come to terms with is that if they play the game, then they assume a certain amount of risk. IF they want no risk, then don't play. (They still have to drive the nation's highways, however!)

I'd bet the reason they stick to metal is $$$. It is generally stated that wood bats would cost most, due to the number of bats that would need to be replaced during the season. Well, that and every players desire to pretend to be Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb.