Personal Injury Law

Baseball's Maple Bat Controversy - Does Someone Have to Die?

By Matthew Leeth

Maples bats are a clearly dangerous hazard that MLB will continue to ignore until someone is killed or seriously injured. Strong language, I know, but MLB's actions thus far can only be summarized as a grossly negligent policy only lacking a significant injury.

First, some history. MLB bats were historically made out of ash wood. Maple bats were officially sanctioned in 1997, but it was Barry Bonds hitting 73 home-runs with a maple bat in 2001 which put it on the map. From there on, most players were convinced that maple bats provide greater hitting power. In 2005, MLB had a man named Jim Sherwood test this theory. Mr. Sherwood reported that there was no advantage to using maple bats.

Undeterred, maple bats have become increasingly popular and are the bat of choice with almost every major league player. Baseball players are often described as a superstitious bunch, and while there is no actual benefit to maple bats, players often report that it just 'feels' harder.

Even with no real benefit (I'm not sure if I've stressed that enough); there is a significantly dangerous drawback. While ash bats crack when broken, maple bats will either splinter or shatter into pieces. Sometimes a shard breaks off at the barrel, sending it flying into the stands. Sometimes, it breaks at the handle.

The MLB says they are 'looking into it.' Yeah, right. The reality is that the players union has a negotiated agreement with the MLB as to the composition of their bats. And since players are convinced the maple bats will give them a competitive edge, they (as a whole) demand it. MLB PR seems to stall the media by saying they are investigating, but really they appear to just be avoiding the situation. But they won't be able to avoid explaining to a victim's family that an unproven alternative to ash was more important than fan safety.

Words can only say so much, though. Here's more than enough proof that it's time for the MLB to make the right decision by banning maple bats.

Here's Nick Green almost getting impaled at the short stop (sorry, can't embed this). Nick Green said after the game 'I don't use maple… they say they've fixed it or whatever but that obviously didn't fix [it]')

And there are thousands of more of these images on the net. But rather than create a 15 page blog post filled with pictures, I suggest those interested read into this issue some more. This probably isn't the first time you've heard about maple bat controversy, especially if you follow baseball. But I can garauntee you it won't be your last time, either.

Thanks to Billy @ Clubhouse Cancer for compiling the pictures.

Full post as published by Tampa Bay Personal Injury Law on July 21, 2009 (boomark / email).