This video has been floating around for a while, but we’re still impressed by Josh Womack’s bat flip trick. We have tried it ourselves, but haven’t met with much success. Apparently Josh has a few more bat tricks up his sleeve. Worth checking out.
When we were compiling all the new 2011 bats from top manufacturers, we didn’t think about what kind of bats would be best for this kind of trick, but you can find plenty of info on the newest bats for this year here.
A hot topic for some time now, the NCAA’s guidelines for bats in the upcoming 2011 baseball season, in which the super powerful aluminum bats of old are giving way to bats with far less punch, is still generating talk.
We generally agree with this guy’s take on things – and we had to smile at the line by the coach who is looking forward to faster games so he can get home earlier on game days.
What do you think about the NCAA standards for bats in 2011?
Like Gwen Stefani, we’re big on Japanese culture. OK, so maybe not exactly like Gwen Stefani. Maybe more like Bob Horner. Remember him?
Horner was long our favorite Atlanta Braves player when we were back in the day. We saw him hit four home runs in a game against the Expos, and he had a single, colorful season playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan, where he was best known for…. Â oh, but we digress.
What we wanted to tell you about was the cool chopsticks a Japanese company is making from baseball bats broken in Nippon Professional Baseball League games. These chopsticks feature NPB team logos, and they’re a big hit with Japanese fans. Now we’re on the hunt for a set of Tokyo Yakult Swallows chopsticks, though we lack the digital dexterity to put them to use.
More news about bats being blamed for injuries incurred in baseball games. This article describes how the family of an 11-year-old Little Leaguer is suing sporting goods manufacturer Easton-Bell because they made the aluminum bat that was used in the play when a line drive struck the boy in the head.
We’re sorry to see anyone get hurt – this boy suffered brain injuries and deafness in one ear – but we wonder if the manufacturer is really to blame. Unless the product is defective, is the manufacturer responsible? What do you think?
We all know maple bats are more likely to shatter than ash bats – we’ve seen enough first-hand evidence. But why is that?
Is it because maple is harder than ash?
We always thought so, but this article explains how maple is only 5% more dense than ash. And more importantly, it explains how bat manufacturers choose maple billets with lower-than-average density and how they design bats with thinner handles because batters favor lighter bats.
The Rangers may have come up short against the Giants, but Texans are eager to tell you about the size of their state’s contribution to the game.
No, we’re not talking about players. We’re talking about wood, leather, peanuts, hot dogs and hot dog buns.
Where would we be without the 500 milion cubic feet of lumber Texas produces every year? Everything’s bigger in Texas, they say.
We’ve been talking about how dangerous broken bats can be for spectators in the stadium. You’ve got to be aware of what’s going on at all times. But how about if you’re a cameraman tasked with getting an isolated shot on the baserunner at third? This is what can happen. Wow!
The Rangers have won the ALCS and are waiting for the Phillies or Giants. We’re waiting for another million-to-one shot like this.
Remember when Sammy Sosa was ejected for using a corked bat back in 2003? If you need a refresher, read some coverage of the original event here.
For baseball bat history buffs, this may be of interest: Â Now you can buy a piece of that bat – check out the online auction that’s going on now. Bidding is open until the end of the month.
A new, ergonomically-correct bat has made its debut in MLB, and the makers of the Pro-XR bat hope it’s a sign of things to come.
The new bat technology is based on an angled knob that is designed to improve grip and reduce injuries. With this ergonomic knob, the Pro-XR bat enables batters to improve bat speed and achieve more swing control, according to Grady Phelan, the brains behind the new bat.
Several MLB players have already used the new Pro-XR bat and many more have signed on to try it out. We’d like to try one ourselves. Will let you know if and when we do. Have any of you tried this bat yet?
Think a corked bat can add distance? Think again.
Research out of the University of Illinois indicates that the trampoline effect that is so significant in metal bats is negligible in wood bats.
But there still may be an advantage to be had in using corked bats. Increased bat speed enables batters to delay swinging for a few micro-seconds – perhaps allowing the batter to hit with increased accuracy.
So even if a corked bat doesn’t yield greater power, it may allow for greater accuracy. Research, we’re sure, is ongoing.
