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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Victoria L. Stanish |
State Rep. Mike Carroll |
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TO: Editor, Community Express
FROM: State Rep. Mike Carroll
RE: Monthly column – wooden vs. metal bats
The issue of banning metal bats in youth baseball and softball leagues is gaining a lot of attention on both the state and local level because of the increased risk of injury to our young people.
To help alleviate that risk, I am introducing a bill that would officially ban the use of metal bats in organized youth and high school baseball and softball.
I am a volunteer with my son’s Little League team, and during that time, I’ve been worried about the players when bigger, stronger kids are at the plate. Balls hit by metal bats travel with faster speed and greater force than those hit by wooden bats – about 7 miles per hour faster, according to a 2002 study by Brown University. The extra speed diminishes the reaction time of the players and increases their chances of getting hurt.
New York City Council is banning metal bats in high schools starting this September. Montana’s American Legion teams also banned metal bats after a line drive from a metal bat killed a player, and North Dakota’s high schools enacted a statewide ban on metal bats following a similar incident. Other states, including New Jersey, are considering outlawing the metal bats in youth and high school leagues.
Opponents of this bill will argue that eliminating metal bats would slow down the game and lower already-declining participation in youth baseball. However, safety must be the top priority for all leagues. Thankfully, a number of leagues in Pennsylvania have gone all-wood – and those leagues have not seen their numbers decline significantly.
Another concern I’ve heard from detractors of the bill is that some children have a hard time swinging the heavier wooden bats. Metal bats may be easier to swing, but they can be dangerous to those players who haven’t developed the reflexes to meet the performance of the metal bats.
While baseball doesn’t qualify as a contact sport and while there is a risk of injury in any sport, there’s also no sense in neglecting a preventable source of injury. This legislation is an important measure that would help protect our young athletes and allow them to enjoy the great American pastime safely.
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