Maple Bats

A great quote:

"Sam Holman, founder of the Canadian company that makes the maple bats popularized by Barry Bonds, said baseball's maple bat crisis -- bats snapping into large pieces and flying toward players and into the stands -- could be resolved by setting minimum prices that would compel manufacturers to use the finest wood rather than competing for business by selling cheaper bats made of lower-quality wood."

Riiiiiiiight. All manufacturers would feel "guilty" about charging such high prices and using cheap wood, thereby garnering an unnaturally high profit margin.

I'm no economist, but I don't think this is what Adam Smith had in mind. Here's an idea, how about setting minimum wood quality standards, then let the market drive the price, just a thought....or maybe just ban maple bats before someone gets killed, news flash, Bonds didn't hit all those homers because of maple bats

over 3 years ago juano 4 comments 0 recs |

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I think something that is being overlooked

Is how thin handles have gotten. It used to be smaller guys didn’t use big bats because they were too heavy. Now the handles are so light, even a relatively small guy like Alfonso Soriano can whip around one of the larger bats. Thinner handles also lead to more breaks. Regulate the bats that can be used in the pros.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Good point

The handles are thinner and it really seems like most broken bats that result in a dangerous flying projectile involve a break at the handle. They could set a minimum handle thickness which would lead to fewer broken bats. It’s not like it would be hard for hitters to adapt to this. And if it decreases BA and SLG MLB-wide by 2%, so be it.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Jun 25, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions