“Going Yard” Bat Blog

A North Dakota high school league that had decided to use wood bats exclusively a few years ago has reversed direction and has unanimously voted to allow aluminum bats in Class B competition for the 2011-12 season.

The initial decision to ban aluminum bats in 2007 was driven by safety concerns – concerns that have been allayed by the power-reduction inherent in BBCOR-rated aluminum bats.

This move conforms to standards adopted by the National Federation of High School Associations and the NCAA.

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?

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?