Aluminum Bats Too Risky

Imagine rearing back and heaving a four seam fastball across the plate to home run hitter David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. Now imagine yourself pitching to Ortiz with him holding a high-powered aluminum bat in his hands. Scary? Personally, I'd be terrified, as would many others I assume. We can only thank God that professionals do not hit with metal bats, but this is a reality for pitchers at all levels until they reach the professional stage. Most dangerously in high school and college where balls are pitched at faster speeds, pitchers are at a high injury risk every time they step foot on the mound. As a pitcher in high school and college, I believe pitching at the collegiate level is the most dangerous age to be a pitcher. Players are reaching their peak athletic age and some are professional prospects, not to mention the occasional player that engages in steroids. With the combination of always improved strength conditioning workouts and technological breakthroughs with metal bats, the college pitcher only continues to put himself at risk every time he pitches the ball. Hitters continue to gain an advantage on the field every year, while pitchers have no additional help. Considering college pitchers now face batters with metal bats, would it then be fair to raise the pitchers mound a few inches higher? I think some type of variation of this would be reasonable, although I'm certain many baseball fans would scoff at this idea.

Several factors surround the discussion of the return of wood bats to all levels. The early beginnings of metal bats was to maintain a cost-effective state, with one bat being able to last a season or two, instead of replacing several wood bats throughout a year. Like many things, the initial idea was good, but it evolved into something I would consider bad. The belief that metal bats in the 21st century is cost effective is certainly not the case, as new models price upwards of $400 and players often replace each season with a new bat because they want the most "pop". As with almost anything, money seems to be the revolving theme in metal bats. Just like when the mound was lowered to enhance the offense and provide more excitement, the creation of juiced-up metal bats is now a large business--and high school and college teams keep it alive, constantly purchasing the best bat on the market. Easton markets their bats as the "worlds highest performing Sc900 scandium alloy" and claims one of their models "dominates at every level of play". DeMarini baseball bats tops Easton by saying many teams and players make DeMarini their "weapon" for the season, referring to the tanked baseball bats. Has business interfered too much with the game of baseball and the health of players? Forever #11 thinks so, as they have dedicated a web site solely to the death of former high school pitcher Brandon Patch. Patch was struck in the temple with a line drive while pitching and never recovered from the horrible injury. While much has been done to honor Patch, nothing will replace what happened on that tragic day. Patch is just one incident of many. While Patch suffered the worst hit, several other innocent baseball pitchers have felt the wrath of bat companies seeking to earn an extra dollar.

While I never experienced very damaging injuries from batted balls off high-powered bats, I certainly had way too many close calls for my comfort. As a former pitcher and baseball fan for all ages, I hope that one day we will witness wood bats at all levels for various reasons. The obvious reason being for safety, but I also believe the game should be played like the professionals with wood.