Brian Kent
12-10-2008, 12:36 PM
MLB is announcing changes in maple bats, but is not banning them.
I wondered what the experts here think about ways to make bats explode less. Apparently the problem is that ash bats explode too, but maple bats split into larger, sharper pieces.
They are talking about handle sizes vs. barrel sizes so that the skinny handle is less of a weak spot. There is a formula where length in inches cannot exceed weight in ounces by more than 3.5 (34" bat with a 30.5 ounce weight).
They are also talking about setting wood grain standards. There was no explanation about that, but maybe they mean a straight grain end to end, like you get on a table leg that starts with split wood rather than a cut piece.
Whddyathink?
I wondered what the experts here think about ways to make bats explode less. Apparently the problem is that ash bats explode too, but maple bats split into larger, sharper pieces.
They are talking about handle sizes vs. barrel sizes so that the skinny handle is less of a weak spot. There is a formula where length in inches cannot exceed weight in ounces by more than 3.5 (34" bat with a 30.5 ounce weight).
They are also talking about setting wood grain standards. There was no explanation about that, but maybe they mean a straight grain end to end, like you get on a table leg that starts with split wood rather than a cut piece.
Whddyathink?