By Tyler Coughlin
Asia has again made their mark on Baseball in America. Bamboo Baseball bats have become increasingly popular among youth and amateur baseball players in the U.S. and across the globe for that matter. Bamboo bats have yet to receive the stamp of approval from Major League Baseball, and most people think that stamp of approval will not be coming at all.
There are a lot of people asking why Bamboo has yet to be accepted into the MLB? So let's go over the main arguments keeping Bamboo on the outside of Major League Parks.
Here is a Major League Baseball Rule that addresses this particular issue....1.10
(a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 23/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.
NOTE: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from the Rules Committee of his design and methods of manufacture.
Bamboo bats are made by laminating a bunch of bamboo strips into a blank, and then turning the blank into a bat. Which makes the bat very hard to break, and obviously violates rule 1.10 (as shown above) which states that the bat shall be one piece of solid wood.
Although that rule seems to be a big part of why Bamboo Bats are not MLB approved, there seems to be a more popular argument used. Bamboo bats are widely considered to be similar to composite bats based on the way they are made. Composite bats are also off limits in the MLB. Most experts believe that Bamboo will never receive Major League Baseball's approval unless the MLB approves all composite bats.
So, now looms the bigger question. How will Bamboo Baseball bats survive in America? Well since Bamboo bats seem to be so durable, many youth and amateur players and teams are using them as Batting Cage bats. More coaches and players are catching onto the benefits of training with wood bats, even if they play in an Aluminum Bat league. Hitting with wood forces the hitter to swing with proper mechanics, while aluminum often delivers good results even when improper mechanics are used.
Maple Bats, Ash Bats, and Birch bats all provide better power than Bamboo, but none of them provide the durability that Bamboo does. That means a perfect match for Bamboo Baseball Bats and Batting Cages.
A player or team can reap the benefits of training with wood, without having to continually purchase wood bats because of overuse. Bamboo bats are becoming a big part of the resurgence of wood bats in America. So in a game where so much has changed, wood is looking like the one constant that doesn't plan on going anywhere soon.
Written By
Tyler Coughlin
VP of Operations MoZer Bats
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Coughlin
Showing posts with label bats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bats. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Maple Baseball Bats - Passing the Test of Time and Still Going Strong
By Tyler Coughlin
It's been about nearly 9 years since Barry Bonds broke the single season home run record while using a Maple Baseball Bat throughout the season. That magical season in baseball was the showcase year for Maple Bats. Although players like Joe Carter used Maple even as far back as in the late 1980's, maple never really took off until the 2001 season when Bonds crushed 73 home runs to break the single season homerun record in baseball. From that point on, maple surged into more and more hands in baseball...and maple hasn't looked back ever since.
A lot of things in our society turn out to be fads, and never survive the trying times. Maple baseball bats are beginning to silence the critics who have been loud advocates against maple. There have been multiple instances where maple has been the culprit of major injuries in baseball. A prime example was during the 2008 season when Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Don Long was hit in the face just below the eyes by a huge chunk of Nate McLouth's maple bat during the eighth inning of a game at Dodgers Stadium. Witnesses say that chunk seemed to be about half of the bat. Just ten days later, another maple bat chunk flew out of the hands of the Colorado Rockies Todd Helton and flew into the stands and broke the jaw of a Dodgers fan.
A lot of players worried about the safety of their teammates, coaches and fans have even switched from Maple to Ash or Birch. Including a few seasons back, when Frank Thomas and Eric Chavez switched from Maple to Birch, and Jason Bay switched back to Ash from Birch.
A 2005 study commissioned by the MLB found that there was no difference in how fast the ball comes off a maple or ash bat. But still maple seems to give hitters a confidence that ash does not. Although the exact number of players who swing maple in the MLB is unknown, it is certain that it is a majority; with some reports estimating the number at 60 to 70 percent.
There also is undoubtedly a longer life span with Maple. Various studies have found that the average life span of a Maple Bat in the MLB is about a month, versus about a week long life span for Ash. So while there are concerns among MLB officials about the safety risks associated with Maple Baseball Bats, Bat Manufactures are working hard alongside MLB officials to create a solution to the safety risks; aside from prohibiting maple bats from baseball.
Throughout all of the issues and controversy and worries surrounding Maple Baseball Bats, the demand is still there, and the popularity is still growing. Maple bats may see some troubling times, but it seems like the new wood bat king is here to stay.
Written By,
Tyler Coughlin
VP of Operations MoZer Bats
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Coughlin
It's been about nearly 9 years since Barry Bonds broke the single season home run record while using a Maple Baseball Bat throughout the season. That magical season in baseball was the showcase year for Maple Bats. Although players like Joe Carter used Maple even as far back as in the late 1980's, maple never really took off until the 2001 season when Bonds crushed 73 home runs to break the single season homerun record in baseball. From that point on, maple surged into more and more hands in baseball...and maple hasn't looked back ever since.
A lot of things in our society turn out to be fads, and never survive the trying times. Maple baseball bats are beginning to silence the critics who have been loud advocates against maple. There have been multiple instances where maple has been the culprit of major injuries in baseball. A prime example was during the 2008 season when Pittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Don Long was hit in the face just below the eyes by a huge chunk of Nate McLouth's maple bat during the eighth inning of a game at Dodgers Stadium. Witnesses say that chunk seemed to be about half of the bat. Just ten days later, another maple bat chunk flew out of the hands of the Colorado Rockies Todd Helton and flew into the stands and broke the jaw of a Dodgers fan.
A lot of players worried about the safety of their teammates, coaches and fans have even switched from Maple to Ash or Birch. Including a few seasons back, when Frank Thomas and Eric Chavez switched from Maple to Birch, and Jason Bay switched back to Ash from Birch.
A 2005 study commissioned by the MLB found that there was no difference in how fast the ball comes off a maple or ash bat. But still maple seems to give hitters a confidence that ash does not. Although the exact number of players who swing maple in the MLB is unknown, it is certain that it is a majority; with some reports estimating the number at 60 to 70 percent.
There also is undoubtedly a longer life span with Maple. Various studies have found that the average life span of a Maple Bat in the MLB is about a month, versus about a week long life span for Ash. So while there are concerns among MLB officials about the safety risks associated with Maple Baseball Bats, Bat Manufactures are working hard alongside MLB officials to create a solution to the safety risks; aside from prohibiting maple bats from baseball.
Throughout all of the issues and controversy and worries surrounding Maple Baseball Bats, the demand is still there, and the popularity is still growing. Maple bats may see some troubling times, but it seems like the new wood bat king is here to stay.
Written By,
Tyler Coughlin
VP of Operations MoZer Bats
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Coughlin
Friday, December 11, 2009
How to Choose the Right Baseball Bat to Buy
By Jack Perconte
Many baseball players will ask for a new baseball bat for Christmas, or soon after, for the upcoming baseball season. Before buying, parents should put some thought and research into buying the right bat. I have seen the situation all too often when a player gets a new bat, uses it for a short time and then realize it is either the wrong size, weight or they like their friends bat better. What happens is that parents shop and either ask the store attendant for advice, or pick out the nicest looking bat. Often, the store attendant will not know what size bat is best and the best looking bats are not always the right bat. It is also common for parents to buy a "big" bat thinking that their player will grow into the bat. Sometimes, these theories work, but often they lead to the wrong bat for the player. It is so important to get the correct sized bat. The incorrect bat size will lead to swing fundamental mistakes which may create a disappointing baseball season. Habits are extremely difficult to change, so the wrong bat can adversely affect the hitter for future seasons also.
First things first, parents should always check out the league rules on bat regulations before buying a new bat. I have seen situations where parents have spent a few hundred dollars on a bat that was not legal for the league and could not return the bat because their child used it before finding out the bat was illegal. Remember, using a bat only once can leave a ball mark on the bat making it non-returnable. With this in mind, be sure and have the player swing their new bat without hitting anything for a period of time before actually using with a ball to be sure they want to keep the bat.
Unfortunately, there is no tried and true method that guarantees the correct bat size. A good thing to do is to check out a bat size chart like the one found in my book "The Making of a Hitter": A Proven and Practical Step-by-Step Baseball Guide. A chart like this will inform you of an approximate size bat for the age of your child. The next step is to have your son or daughter swing their old bat to see if they appear ready for the next size. Very few players, unless they have grown a great deal since the previous year, are ready to jump up to a bat that is more than one inch, or one ounce, larger than the year before. Having players go to the local batting cages and swing a few sample bats of different sizes is good. Checking with the players coaches for input can also be a good idea.
Of course, it may take a trained eye (experienced coach) to notice if a bat is the right size for a hitter. Generally, the thing to watch for is that the hitter is able to swing the bat as fast as they can, while still being able to maintain good overall balance throughout the swing (especially on the follow through). If the bat appears to be swinging the hitter, as opposed to the opposite, you will usually notice a loss of balance, a lack of bat speed or little use of the hands and forearms on the swing.
Parents should also consult with their child (if the bat is not a surprise, of course) to find out what brand of bat they desire. Having confidence is so important for hitters, so if a player is convinced they have the right bat, that can go a long way to hitting success. Finally, it is important to realize that kids continue to grow and a new bat will probably be needed every year for awhile, so price is important to consider. Additionally, aluminum bats lose their effectiveness over time too, so buying high priced bats can be very costly.
Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball hitting lessons advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball
Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
Many baseball players will ask for a new baseball bat for Christmas, or soon after, for the upcoming baseball season. Before buying, parents should put some thought and research into buying the right bat. I have seen the situation all too often when a player gets a new bat, uses it for a short time and then realize it is either the wrong size, weight or they like their friends bat better. What happens is that parents shop and either ask the store attendant for advice, or pick out the nicest looking bat. Often, the store attendant will not know what size bat is best and the best looking bats are not always the right bat. It is also common for parents to buy a "big" bat thinking that their player will grow into the bat. Sometimes, these theories work, but often they lead to the wrong bat for the player. It is so important to get the correct sized bat. The incorrect bat size will lead to swing fundamental mistakes which may create a disappointing baseball season. Habits are extremely difficult to change, so the wrong bat can adversely affect the hitter for future seasons also.
First things first, parents should always check out the league rules on bat regulations before buying a new bat. I have seen situations where parents have spent a few hundred dollars on a bat that was not legal for the league and could not return the bat because their child used it before finding out the bat was illegal. Remember, using a bat only once can leave a ball mark on the bat making it non-returnable. With this in mind, be sure and have the player swing their new bat without hitting anything for a period of time before actually using with a ball to be sure they want to keep the bat.
Unfortunately, there is no tried and true method that guarantees the correct bat size. A good thing to do is to check out a bat size chart like the one found in my book "The Making of a Hitter": A Proven and Practical Step-by-Step Baseball Guide. A chart like this will inform you of an approximate size bat for the age of your child. The next step is to have your son or daughter swing their old bat to see if they appear ready for the next size. Very few players, unless they have grown a great deal since the previous year, are ready to jump up to a bat that is more than one inch, or one ounce, larger than the year before. Having players go to the local batting cages and swing a few sample bats of different sizes is good. Checking with the players coaches for input can also be a good idea.
Of course, it may take a trained eye (experienced coach) to notice if a bat is the right size for a hitter. Generally, the thing to watch for is that the hitter is able to swing the bat as fast as they can, while still being able to maintain good overall balance throughout the swing (especially on the follow through). If the bat appears to be swinging the hitter, as opposed to the opposite, you will usually notice a loss of balance, a lack of bat speed or little use of the hands and forearms on the swing.
Parents should also consult with their child (if the bat is not a surprise, of course) to find out what brand of bat they desire. Having confidence is so important for hitters, so if a player is convinced they have the right bat, that can go a long way to hitting success. Finally, it is important to realize that kids continue to grow and a new bat will probably be needed every year for awhile, so price is important to consider. Additionally, aluminum bats lose their effectiveness over time too, so buying high priced bats can be very costly.
Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball hitting lessons advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball
Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tips to Choose a Youth Baseball Bat
By Mark Alter
One of the most important choices you have to make as a player is what baseball bat to choose. Check the Internet and you will come across choices ranging from inexpensive to expensive. Before deciding on a youth baseball bat, you must first compare prices.
Keep in mind that the bat you choose, should allow you to focus as much power as possible upon the baseball. This is in fact a guiding principle behind selecting a bat - as a player, you should be able to swing the heaviest bat without sacrificing on your batspeed.
So what is batspeed? Batspeed is the number one creator of power in a swing. Going by the law of physics, it would seem that you can swing a heavier bat with the same velocity as a lighter one, you will produce more power as per the law that energy equals mass times acceleration.
Check out the length, weight, and drop of the baseball bat. Keep in mind that there are three defining factors that apply to choosing the right bat. The first is length. The length of the baseball bat is measured in inches. Then there is weight, which is measured in ounces. Finally, you must calculate the drop, which is obtained by subtracting the weight of the bat from its length.
The size of the bat
To play well, it is important to determine the correct length of your player's bat first and take a look at weight and drop. Players usually prefer larger drops, which mean lighter weights. This is because the lighter the weight, the higher the batspeed. Another governing factor is how strong the player is. If you are strong enough, you would be able to handle a larger bat with ease.
Before buying a bat, it is important that you hold the bat by its handle and then stretch your arms out so that your body makes a lopsided "t" shape. If you cannot hold the bat level with your shoulder for at least a count of ten, the bat is too heavy for you and you should try another one.
If you are looking for custom baseball bats, you can visit XBATs website. The XBATs baseball bats are the finest bats chosen by the most discriminating Major Leaguer to the serious youth and amateur players.
Mark Alter, the author of this article, writes about the important issues while choosing a youth baseball bat. Want to know more about Xbats and youth baseball bat? Still lots of things remain to explore.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Alter
One of the most important choices you have to make as a player is what baseball bat to choose. Check the Internet and you will come across choices ranging from inexpensive to expensive. Before deciding on a youth baseball bat, you must first compare prices.
Keep in mind that the bat you choose, should allow you to focus as much power as possible upon the baseball. This is in fact a guiding principle behind selecting a bat - as a player, you should be able to swing the heaviest bat without sacrificing on your batspeed.
So what is batspeed? Batspeed is the number one creator of power in a swing. Going by the law of physics, it would seem that you can swing a heavier bat with the same velocity as a lighter one, you will produce more power as per the law that energy equals mass times acceleration.
Check out the length, weight, and drop of the baseball bat. Keep in mind that there are three defining factors that apply to choosing the right bat. The first is length. The length of the baseball bat is measured in inches. Then there is weight, which is measured in ounces. Finally, you must calculate the drop, which is obtained by subtracting the weight of the bat from its length.
The size of the bat
To play well, it is important to determine the correct length of your player's bat first and take a look at weight and drop. Players usually prefer larger drops, which mean lighter weights. This is because the lighter the weight, the higher the batspeed. Another governing factor is how strong the player is. If you are strong enough, you would be able to handle a larger bat with ease.
Before buying a bat, it is important that you hold the bat by its handle and then stretch your arms out so that your body makes a lopsided "t" shape. If you cannot hold the bat level with your shoulder for at least a count of ten, the bat is too heavy for you and you should try another one.
If you are looking for custom baseball bats, you can visit XBATs website. The XBATs baseball bats are the finest bats chosen by the most discriminating Major Leaguer to the serious youth and amateur players.
Mark Alter, the author of this article, writes about the important issues while choosing a youth baseball bat. Want to know more about Xbats and youth baseball bat? Still lots of things remain to explore.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Alter
Thursday, March 26, 2009
New Wooden Bat Design Could Change Youth Baseball
As the debate over youth and adult bat safety rages on, one small company in New Jersey has come up with what seems to be a revolutionary idea... a wooden bat that doesn't shatter. The company, Radial Bats, is so sure of this claim that they back their bats with a one year warranty. Check out this video:
What makes Radial Bats unique is the way they are constructed. A conventional wood baseball bat is cut from one piece of wood. The Radial Bat is created by milling 12 solid wood wedges that are brought together to form a stronger bat with a larger sweet spot (the optimum hitting surface on a bat). Because of this contruction the batter doesn't have to worry about how they hold the bat.
The company seems to be targeting problems at the professional level of bats shattering and breaking on a somewhat continuous basis. However, this design and their abilitity to produce bats at various sizes and weights may also prove promising at the youth level.
The price of these bats are inline with other custom bat companies ($120) but they are designed to last a whole lot longer than traditional one piece wooden bats. The bats are available in adult and youth sizes with weight drops to meet most player requirements.
I have not tried one of these bats yet but I would like to try one out and let you know about it. More to come on this...
Coach Bob
What makes Radial Bats unique is the way they are constructed. A conventional wood baseball bat is cut from one piece of wood. The Radial Bat is created by milling 12 solid wood wedges that are brought together to form a stronger bat with a larger sweet spot (the optimum hitting surface on a bat). Because of this contruction the batter doesn't have to worry about how they hold the bat.
The company seems to be targeting problems at the professional level of bats shattering and breaking on a somewhat continuous basis. However, this design and their abilitity to produce bats at various sizes and weights may also prove promising at the youth level.
The price of these bats are inline with other custom bat companies ($120) but they are designed to last a whole lot longer than traditional one piece wooden bats. The bats are available in adult and youth sizes with weight drops to meet most player requirements.
I have not tried one of these bats yet but I would like to try one out and let you know about it. More to come on this...
Coach Bob
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Look at Youth Baseball Bats
by Jason Gluckman
When selecting youth baseball bats it is important to consider the bat's length, weight, barrel width, and league requirements. While wood bats are available, most people select aluminum or cutting-edge alloy bats for youth baseball.
When selecting youth baseball bats it is important to consider the bat's length, weight, barrel width, and league requirements. While wood bats are available, most people select aluminum or cutting-edge alloy bats for youth baseball. A general rule is to select the lightest bat for its length in order to maximize swing power. Lighter bats are more expensive, while heavier bats are usually thicker and made from a cheaper-grade aluminum. Longer youth baseball bats arm the player with more plate coverage, but they also weigh more. Shorter bats are faster but may force the batter to crowd the plate in order to reach the outside edge of the strike zone.
Also consider the size of the barrel. A larger barrel wields more power and has a bigger sweet spot, yet the larger barrel requires more mass, and so it is heavier. Often selecting a bat is an imperfect science because you can't really hit a ball in a store, or even really swing the bat for that matter. You might even try going out to a local baseball practice or batting cage. Then you can try many different bats, actually making contact with the ball, and get a much more accurate picture of what bat works for your son or daughter.
Little League baseball bats should not be more than 33 inches long or more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter at the barrel. Little League baseball bats should be taped around the handle and up 10 inches. Bats are measured in inches for length and ounces for weight. Minus numbers are used to show a bat's measurements. For example, if a bat is 33 inches long and has a (-10) rating, that means the bat weighs 23 ounces. So the higher the negative number than the lighter the bat is for its length.
Baseball Bats Info provides detailed information on youth, wood, college, senior league, and discount baseball bats, baseball bat reviews and more. Baseball Bats Info is the sister site of
Baseball Gloves Web.
When selecting youth baseball bats it is important to consider the bat's length, weight, barrel width, and league requirements. While wood bats are available, most people select aluminum or cutting-edge alloy bats for youth baseball.
When selecting youth baseball bats it is important to consider the bat's length, weight, barrel width, and league requirements. While wood bats are available, most people select aluminum or cutting-edge alloy bats for youth baseball. A general rule is to select the lightest bat for its length in order to maximize swing power. Lighter bats are more expensive, while heavier bats are usually thicker and made from a cheaper-grade aluminum. Longer youth baseball bats arm the player with more plate coverage, but they also weigh more. Shorter bats are faster but may force the batter to crowd the plate in order to reach the outside edge of the strike zone.
Also consider the size of the barrel. A larger barrel wields more power and has a bigger sweet spot, yet the larger barrel requires more mass, and so it is heavier. Often selecting a bat is an imperfect science because you can't really hit a ball in a store, or even really swing the bat for that matter. You might even try going out to a local baseball practice or batting cage. Then you can try many different bats, actually making contact with the ball, and get a much more accurate picture of what bat works for your son or daughter.
Little League baseball bats should not be more than 33 inches long or more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter at the barrel. Little League baseball bats should be taped around the handle and up 10 inches. Bats are measured in inches for length and ounces for weight. Minus numbers are used to show a bat's measurements. For example, if a bat is 33 inches long and has a (-10) rating, that means the bat weighs 23 ounces. So the higher the negative number than the lighter the bat is for its length.
Baseball Bats Info provides detailed information on youth, wood, college, senior league, and discount baseball bats, baseball bat reviews and more. Baseball Bats Info is the sister site of
Baseball Gloves Web.
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