Some minor leagues are experimenting with the composite wood bats. Seems to me this is the obvious solution. I know a lot of the wood bat tournaments mean just that - wood thru and thru. But this could all be solved by allowing the composites. My son uses his hitting in the cage. Carbon (or whatever it is) handle and wood (maple) barrel. And a rod running thru the center of the bat inside for durability. Performance of wood. 34" 32 1/2 oz. lasts forever. A lot of them even carry 6 month warranties.
By the way is my son the only one who names all his bats? This one is 'Mapeline'!