Submitted by jakester, May 25, 2007 10:18

Having been involved in coaching youth baseball for about ten years and playing organized modified fast and fast pitch softball for over 30 years, I can say from my own experience, that metal bats absolutely propel a ball faster than a wooden bat. I have recently retired form pitching softball because, now that my reflexes have slowed, I'm actually worried I'll get hit in the head by a batted softabll. I was plaing ball when the metal bats first came on the scene. The home run production of our team increased at least 50%. These were the same players, same balls same field. The only benefit I can see is that metal is more durable than wood. If the manufactures were made to "deaden" the bats to wood specs, it may be worth using metal from a cost effective standpoint. When I was playing, guys couldn't wait to get their hands on the newest offerings from the bat manufactures. Different metals, triple walls, thinner walls etc etc etc. The balls started flying by the infielders so fast they were looking like hockey goalies instead of ball players.

The City should sue the bat companies for false advertising and see what the bat companies say then. Of course some people wouild be against a ban, it will bring playes averages and power numbers into more realistic zones, them college and major league scouts may not be so impressed by the average player.

On the downside, it could lead to increased steroid use as players try to produce numbers that would impress scouts and enhance their chances of being noticed.

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