Editorial | Metal Baseball Bats

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, October, 2007

The Pennsylvania legislature doesn't seem inclined to pass a measure that would ban the use of metal baseball and softball bats in youth leagues. Opponents out-talked supporters at a committee hearing last week.

What's troubling about the likely outcome is that it may have more to do with economics than protecting children from harm.

Science has shown a ball hit by a metal bat comes back at the pitcher faster. A 2002 Brown University study showed a metal bat returned the ball at an average speed of about 93 m.p.h. compared with 86 m.p.h. for a wooden bat.

That difference may not seem so great, but it could be when you're an 11-year-old trying to get a glove up before the spheroid hits an unprotected part of your body.

An 18-year-old player was killed four years ago ...