MLB Officials Discuss Maple Bats, May Impose Tougher Standards
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MLB May Impose Tougher
Standards Regarding Maple Bats |
MLB and MLBPA officials yesterday at an MLB Safety & Health Advisory Committee meeting discussed the future of maple bats, and the dialogue "could lead to more stringent qualifications for companies seeking approval to make" MLB bats, according to Jack Curry of the N.Y. TIMES. The committee in a release said that it "planned to consult with bat experts and bat manufacturers, conduct field and laboratory tests, and gather information about protective procedures in ballparks." Mets P Aaron Heilman, one of two players on the committee, said that there is "no timetable for possible recommendations because an abundance of data still had to be collected." Curry notes one area the committee "plans to investigate is how companies are approved to make" MLB bats. Original Maple Bat Corp. Founder Sam Holman "welcomed the notion of stricter standards, calling the current process 'a cakewalk' for bat companies." Holman: "They need to have stronger standards just to protect themselves. Right now, they're wide open." Holman also has suggested that MLB teams "extend the netting that protects fans directly behind the plate to the first- and third-base dugouts" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/25). Holman added that the situation "could be resolved by setting minimum prices that would compel manufacturers to use the finest wood rather than competing for business by selling cheaper bats made of lower-quality wood" (L.A. TIMES, 6/25). Heilman said, "It's not something we are going to make a rash decision on and jump to any conclusions. I don't know if it's something that with the nature of it is going to be able to have a quick resolution" (NEWSDAY, 6/25).
PROOF POSITIVE: USA TODAY reports MLB umpire Brian O'Nora at last night's Rockies-Royals game, "only hours after the meeting," was "hit in the head by a shattered piece of [Royals C] Miguel Olivo's broken maple bat, sending blood streaming down his face." Royals manager Trey Hillman said of maple bats, "They are very, very dangerous. I'm surprised that this is the first incident we've seen" (USA TODAY, 6/25). ESPN.com's Buster Olney adds the issue "needs to be addressed ASAP, because something really, really awful is just one pitch away from happening at a time when the chances of something awful can be greatly diminished" (ESPN.com, 6/25).
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