Mamas don't let your children play ball with metal bats
I'm a proud son of Houston and the great state of Texas and I grew up with sports and country and western music. I must admit that enjoy the former far more than the latter.
There was an iconic song from my youth that said "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys". In modern day sports, that refrain needs to to be tweaked to include metal bats in all forms of baseball.
Clearly money will continue to trump safety. How many times must we see this in our daily lives before we stop waiting for governing bodies to protect us and our children?
The truth despite what metal baseball bat manufacturers and their paid 'consultant' independent scientist continue to promote is that the ball flies off metal bats faster than wooden bats.
If that's not true why are they used?
Why are runs per game higher in games played with metal bats as compared to wood?
Why believe your lying eyes?
Since the athletic governing bodies, by in large, will continue to take the money and ignore the obvious truth, parents must stand up and take a stance.
Parents Please, Please, Please do not allow your child to play ball, in any form, at any level with a metal bat.
Can I be any more clear?
There was an iconic song from my youth that said "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys". In modern day sports, that refrain needs to to be tweaked to include metal bats in all forms of baseball.
Clearly money will continue to trump safety. How many times must we see this in our daily lives before we stop waiting for governing bodies to protect us and our children?
The truth despite what metal baseball bat manufacturers and their paid 'consultant' independent scientist continue to promote is that the ball flies off metal bats faster than wooden bats.
If that's not true why are they used?
Why are runs per game higher in games played with metal bats as compared to wood?
Why believe your lying eyes?
Since the athletic governing bodies, by in large, will continue to take the money and ignore the obvious truth, parents must stand up and take a stance.
Parents Please, Please, Please do not allow your child to play ball, in any form, at any level with a metal bat.
Can I be any more clear?
Posted by Johnny Benjamin MD at 8/1/2010 8:26 AM 
Categories: BASEBALL
Tags: metal bats baseball injuries
Categories: BASEBALL
Tags: metal bats baseball injuries
Dr. Benjamin,
First let me say I am a big fan of your blog and your writing style. You have a take on Sports (and especially MMA) very similar to my own and your writing is entertaining, educational and refreshing.
I do, however, disagree with you on this matter. I realize this whole controversy stems from an unfortunate incident where a young boy died resulting from an injury playing baseball. Can't a ball coming off a wooden bat (when it strikes someone in the wrong place) just as easily kill them as a ball hit with a metal bat?
I understand that the ball will have a lower velocity when struck with wood, but it's still fast enough to cause death if it strikes a person in the wrong place.
Also, I think we can agree this was a freak accident. I think the chances that it occurs again will not decrease if all bats were made of wood. Someone, at some point, will get struck in the head again by a ball coming off a bat. Maybe the proper precautions would be to provide head protection for infielders up to a certain age (little leaguers in particular). I consider myself a baseball purist, so I really don't like that idea, but it maybe the only way to stop this from happening again.
Regarding the monetary issue, the manufacturers of baseball bats are going to make their money regardless. If they are forced to stop making metal bats, they will produce wooden bats instead. They may not want to(metal fabrication and raw material is usually cheaper and easier than wood) but they will.
Anyways, thanks again for the blog and have a good one.
Robert M.
Billings, MT
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I don't follow baseball closely enough. What is the health and safety concern with metal bats? Adding that would make your article stronger. Is it damage to the kids hands and arms? Do they throw the bats and hurt the backcatcher?
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