Besides which, MLB could just raise the mound or do something else to mitigate the batters' new advantage.
Hm- that's good thinking, ursus. They should test these bats thoroughly- I like the idea that they are less likely to shatter, and probably last longer/use less wood. If the sweet spot is larger, raise the mound a couple of inches to help compensate.
I believe part of the reason for the maple bats' prevalence is precisely because their characteristics include a greater coefficient of restitution, and I guess a larger sweet spot. However, I've said before that from my understanding of the physics of hitting, the hitters would actually get better performance, and lessen the breaking of the bats, by using wider handles. They should consider using wider handled bats- adding a clause to the rules that maple bats can't have a handle thinner than N centimeters in diameter- if that would accomplish the same thing as experimenting with new bats, or outlawing maple altogether.
Good point Hal. But, like the blades of hockey sticks, players can and will tweak their equipment to their own preference. Whether it be the thickness of the handle or the curve of the stick, a piece of equipment that left the warehouse meeting all legal criteria is bound to be 'adjusted' after arrival. Leaving the only fool-proof method of confirmation to the home plate umpire prior to every at-bat.
Although, maybe MLB would go for that. It sure would make the games longer and allow for more ads.
Why fix what is not broken I played from the time I was big enough to hold a bat (A REAL BAT) We got bumped and brusied but that was all part of the game. Whats next rubber balls come on people quit being sissys PLAY BALL!!
people quit being sissys PLAY BALL
Except that the people who have been injured, an umpire, a coach, and a fan, are not playing the game, nor are they expecting to get bumped and bruised.
