MLB, MLBPA Adopt Committee Recommendations For Breaking Bats

MLB Committee Recommends Manufacturers Track Bats Sent To Players

WHAT ABOUT MAPLE? In Philadelphia, Paul Hagen notes there is "no recommendation to outlaw the use of maple," as the preliminary conclusion indicated that the breakages were due "more to the 'slope' of the grain in the bat handle." Further research will be conducted to determine "what impact that ratio between the width of the handle and the barrel and the drying process have on the frequency of bats shattering" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/10). U.S. Forest Products Laboratory Research Engineer Dave Kretschmann, the committee's wood specialist, said that maple bats "haven't been constructed as well, largely because of a great degree of difficulty in seeing and understanding the grain patterns that work best." In Chicago, Phil Rogers reports MLB, with approval from MLBPA, will "require all bats made from maple and yellow birch be marked 'with an ink dot on the tangential face' of the handle." The dot is "designed to make it easier to read the grains." Padres CEO Sandy Alderson, who headed the committee, said of the expected impact of the new recommendations, "We expect there will be a significant reduction [in broken bats]. But regardless of the reduction, whether it's 50[%], 75[%] or 90[%], the charge of this committee is to continue to do research to improve that number" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/10).

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