Safety versus Freedom

An interesting question arose, started by our AOY 2011 Brian Phelps, as to the new BBCOR bats that have become the only bats allowed by Collegiate and High Schools.


I agree that safety is important, and can say from vast experience there is nothing fun about a hard hit comebacker when you are on the mound.  And I can also say that I have personally broken three aluminum bats in my time with the MBC, which shows you that aluminum isn't a forever kind of thing.  That being said, I believe we pride ourselves in being a baseball club rife with worn equipment, placing minors in dangerous situations,  piecemeal uniforms, non-performance enhancing substance use, questionable base running, balks aplenty, and distracted players.  


Single point argument:  Krakatoa has a screw in it, which is totally illegal and possibly unsafe, but is anyone going to say that we can't use Krakatoa anymore?  They better not while I am still 6 feet above ground.


No one wants to see anyone hurt, but the more rules we have, the closer we come to being the thing that the MBC was created to get away from.  It could all change with one bad incident, but is it worth sterilizing the whole population, so that one person doesn't procreate?  Sorry for the eugenic analogy (dibs on new band name) but it seems to work.


At the end of the day, wood is great, but expensive, as are the new BBCOR bats, so maybe we can pitch in to buy some more team wood bats or a softly used BBCOR bat?  Few of us have the resources to buy the real composite cheater sticks, and even less of us have the hitting ability left to wield the cheater sticks with any sort of real mortal danger, so I don't think that is going to be too much of a problem.


In any case, any interesting conundrum.  Here's the original email, and the responses. 
>
> Hello Missioners,
>
> Last game a few of us were talking about the new BBCOR bats, since Lattig bought one and I've been bringing one to recent games. There's a reason high schools now mandate these bats, safety. I know we haven't had any incidents, but it only takes one. For some of you true ballets this won't apply since you rock the wood. For the rest of us, I'd like to throw out the idea the we implement the same rule. After all, we are role models for the community. I know this would be an expensive endeavor since metal bats are pricey. But if everyone (that swings metal) pitches in, I think we could accomplish this. I know someone that works at Sports Basement, so maybe i could get a deal on some. We could even do a bake sale :)
>
> After using one for a number of games, I really like the feel of the BBCOR bat. It feels closer to a wood bat. Plus most of the Mission bats show their age.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> - Phelps

The Peanut Gallery responds:

Greg Snyder:

I appreciate Brian's concern for our safety, especially as a guy who gives up more than his share of sharp line drives.
But I agree with Loren that for our game, the danger is not significantly greater with one type of bat than another, and there are much greater safety risks than our pitchers being brained by a comebacker.
I also agree with Rich that wood bats are much more pleasing on all kinds of levels.
Most importantly, though, I strongly resist rules like this for our little game. People should use whatever equipment they want. We may choose to look down on them for it, but they still should be able to use the bat they prefer.

Jonathan Tiemann:

Much as it pains me, I have to agree with Greg.  Part of the fun of our game is being able to look down on the guys swinging metal bats, knowing all the while that they're thinking I'm a fool for not joining them.  On the safety issue I'm happy to defer to the pitchers.  I can misplay a ball equally well whether it comes off a wood bat or a metal one.

JT.

Johnny Bartlett:

Very well put, Greg. And, I think, the embodiment of the Mission Baseball Club.

Richie Garcia:

I'm happy with the way things are, but if we want to give up our current bats, I would vote for just using wood bats.

Rich Janeway:

There is nothing better than hearing (and feeling) a wood bat connect with a baseball. Swing wood, figure out how to get solid contact and you'll never go back! The "ping" is for the kiddos (and the birds)!!!

Rich

P.s. You can buy 4 solid maple wood bats for under $125 at West Coast Sports in San Leandro

P.p.s. The bigger the bat, the less likely it will break... Trust me! Swing a big bat and swing it hard!!!

Aaron Daley:

Does this mean we have to retire all our old bats?  I'm all for safety, but I am pretty fond of a few of those old sticks (Nike PSI, Easton 33.5).  Whats the problem, other than the length/weight ratio being too large?

And I'm not the one going out to buy the $350 cheater bat, mine are purchased out of a trunk in a parking lot from a guy with a large facial scar, what's wrong with that?

John McGrath

Is there objective proof that the BBCOR bats are in fact safer than aluminum bats?


Loren Myrow:

As someone who has delt with equipment rule changes in multiple sports, I'm pretty well versed in what is going on at the collegiate/hs level.  The reason the NCAA adopted BBCOR is not about safety, but about saving time.  A couple years ago, there was a NCAA committee that proposed ways to shorten game times from an average of 4+ hours to an average of 3.  One of the rules implemented was a "pitch clock" and the other was to pull back the bats.  This bat recall coincided with Gunnar Sandberg from Marin catholic wearing a comebacker in the head & any time a child is severely injured by a metal bat, parents (including soccer moms) question the safety of a game that involves chewing tobacco, metal spikes and trying to throw a rock hard ball as hard as you can adjacent to someone trying to hit that ball as hard as he can.  I'm all for safety in any situation, but if safety is the #1 concern here, then our pitchers need to start wearing helmets... Which would be amusing seeing as half the batters of MBC don't wear helmets.


Anyways, my two cents.

There's a couple factors involved with the BBCOR bats (batted ball coefficient of restitution) that make them different from the previous BESR models (ball exit speed ratio).  Essentially the overall weight, balance and barrel size are the same for both types of bats.  Both have a -3 length to weight ratio, both are available in metal and composite models & both will produce ball speeds over 100mph if hit on the sweet spot.  The main difference is in the size of the sweet spot and how much the graphite composite models "open up" with prolonged use.  Most bat manufacturers have gone to either a variable wall thickness or have inserted multiple metal rings inside the barrel in an attempt to bring the sweet spot from 5-6" with the BESR models to approximately 3" for the BBCOR bats.  This smaller sweet spot of the BBCOR models reduces the exit speed of off center hits by a significant margin when compared to BESR bats.  That being said, if a stronger MBC player hits a ball up the middle going 100mph, it matters not what type of bat hit it.  I personally don't feel that MBC is overpowered at the moment and I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that allows children to play soccer on the sidelines, dogs to assist in outfield strategy and the use of "questionable" equipment purchased from the trunks of scar-faced gentlemen.  If safety is our number one priority at the moment, perhaps there are a few things that should be addressed in addition to a rules change regarding our bats.

Jay Cellini:

I'll chime in that I like the idea of using wood, bamboo or BBCOR and I agree that it only takes one "incident" to ruin someone's (everyone's) life and I do not think it is worth it and besides I would like to try pitching someday (no laughing) but am scared ****less about getting drilled off of one of the metal bats.  As many of you know, (and yes, I am aware it is obvious so no ridicule please, I'm sensitive) I'm coming back to baseball after a 30 year hiatus and I am astounded at the way the ball moves coming off those aluminum bats!  In the outfield what I remember vs. what I experience in the connection vs. distance/ball speed department is amazing (and scary).  There's my 2 cents.

Chris Powell:

The question you need to ask yourself is do you want to be like a Major 
Leaguer or a Little Leaguer?

Duane Harris:

I'm all for wood and/or the new BBCOR bats. 

With that said, I also see where both Loren & Aaron are coming from too.

Whatever is decided, I'm cool with as long as I'm on diamond playing ball

Bob Carey:

Speaking of safety:  I always wear a cup, but seldom wear a batting helmet.  Wonder what this says about my priorities? 

Regarding the bat issue:  It’s been a good discussion; however, I don’t believe it’s a huge problem at this point.  Of the bats I’ve seen used in our game, I can think of only three or four that have are true cheater sticks.  Three of these are bats owned by individuals and I’m only scared of one of them with it in his hands (go ahead and try to figure out who it is).  The bats in the team bag are almost all old and most of them are pretty dead — yes aluminum bats lose their pop.  Anyone who is buying a bat going forward should go BBCOR (there’s not much other choice in adult bats).  For the level we play, they should buy last year’s models instead of paying full price.  All of that said, everyone knows I choose wood.

Bob

PS:  Aaron pointed out that I messed up the time in the announcement.  It’s a 1PM game at W. Sunset.

Dustin Skiles

Atta babe bob. Good Point. Go Wood.