Illinois State Study Finds Metal Bats As Safe As Wood…

October 22, 2007
SGB Update

Researchers at Illinois State  University  concluded a study,
which they say proves that non-wood bats are just as safe as wood bats.
According to the study, wood bats also reduce hitting averages and
raise costs, because of frequent breakage. The study is unique, because
it is the first to study wood bat and non-wood bat use in actual game
play. 

 “There was no statistically significant evidence that non-wood
bats result in an increased incidence or severity of injury,” said
Kevin Laudner, assistant professor in the School  of
Kinesiology  and Recreation at Illinois  State University.
Laudner was the principal investigator for the study, conducted on
behalf of the Illinois High School Association and funded by the
National Federation of State High Schools Foundation.

 
The report indicates that wood bats bring hitting averages down as
non-wood games averaged 8.7 hits per game, while wood bat games
averaged 6.5 hits per game. Using the data in the study, this equates
into a non-wood batting average of roughly .293 and a wood batting
average of .236. The last time batting averages hovered near .236 in
the Major Leagues was 1968. The following season, MLB lowered the mound
with the goal of increasing offense in the game.

The study said 368 bats broke in the 412 games played by the 32 teams
using wood bats, resulting in a bat-breakage rate of 28.3 per 1,000
at-bats. The study said an average team would go through at least 23.49
bats per season. At a cost of $50 per bat, this means the cost of wood
bats – not including those used in practice – would be $1,174 per team,
annually.

Illinois State Study Finds Metal Bats As Safe As Wood

October 16, 2007
SGB Update

In the first ever high school baseball field test comparing wood bats to non-wood bats, a group of researchers from Illinois State University have concluded that non-wood bats are just as safe as wood bats. The study also found that wood bats reduce hitting averages and raise costs because of frequent breakage.

“There was no statistically significant evidence that non-wood bats result in an increased incidence or severity of injury,” said Kevin Laudner, assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University. Laudner was the principal investigator for the study, conducted on behalf of the Illinois High School Association and funded by the National Federation of State High Schools Foundation.

Dusty Baker, National Chairman for the Don’t Take My Bat Away Coalition, issued the following statement after reviewing the news release:

“For anyone in search of proof that today’s metal bats are safe, here it is. This is the first on-field test of metal versus wood, and it says what we’ve said all along: today’s metal bats are safe as wood, period. It also supports our other contention, which is that today’s metal bats last longer, produce more hits and are more fun for the players. Since both bats are safe, players and league officials should decide which ones they want to use.”

While there has been significant research that has shown that today’s metal bats, which have been scientifically regulated so that the speed of batted balls off metal bats is comparable to that of the best major league wood bats, the new study is the first of its kind actually comparing the bats on the field of play and in practice. The study compared Illinois high school baseball teams using wood bats and non-wood bats during the same season.

Hitting Averages Down: Non-wood games averaged 8.7 hits per game, while wood bat games averaged 6.5 hits per game. Using the data in the study, this equates into a non-wood batting average of roughly .293 and a wood batting average of .236. The last time batting averages hovered near .236 in the Major Leagues was 1968 – and, after that season, the Majors lowered the mound with the goal of increasing offense in the game.

Bat Breakage, Bat Costs Up: The study said 368 bats broke in the 412 games played by the 32 teams using wood bats, resulting in a bat-breakage rate of 28.3 per 1,000 at-bats. The study said that an average team would go through at least 23.49 bats per season. At a very conservative cost of $50 per bat (many of today’s good wood bats cost well over $50), this means the cost of wood bats – not including those used in practice – would be an annual cost of $1,174 per team.

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