Metal vs. Wood Bats In Baseball: Should Metal Bats Be Banned?

Do metal bats pose a significantly greater risk of injury to pitchers and infielders resulting from greater bat exit speeds and associated reduced reaction time? Is there enough scientific evidence to ban metal bats for youth and college baseball in favor of wood bats?

Current scientific studies do not support this conclusion as there is no increase in the trend of significant injuries that would cause the need for the banning of metal bats in favor of wood bats. However, the final results of an important ongoing study on this issue are not yet available.

In My Opinion: Politicians looking for publicity and personal injury attorneys looking for large settlements and jury verdicts say that metal bats should be banned in favor of wood bats based on anecdotal evidence. Instead, we must look to scientific studies for an answer and so far science tells us that there is little existing evidence that would support banning metal bats that are currently approved by the various governing bodies. However, it is possible that new research may result in future recommendations for bat standards that would require certain performace modifications. John Sadler

See USA Baseball Medical and Safety Committee Position Statement On Wood vs. Metal Bat: http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=medsafety10

Little League’s History Of Safety In Youth Baseball