Stats, did you read the part about my son's bat lasting 3+ years? Baum bats are unbreakable, period.

I cost me $210 (and that was on sale), but it has more than paid for itself. Saying that this is just the cost of doing business is what's running lower and middle income families out of the game. Again, just my 8 cents (it used to be 2, but I guess that's the cost of doing business).

My son wants Candlers now... and no MLB discount any more... pricey @ 200 a pop!

I hear great things about Chandler bats, but WOW on the price jump.

You know they've gotta be good when MLB players are actually PAYING to swing them, because Chandler doesn't give their bats away for advertisements/endorsements.

We understand the cost involved.  However, more than 90% of those playing in the WWBA have been using wood bats all along.  Some of the teams provide the bats.  Some receive discounts that help.

 

There are many excellent wood bats that cost much less than $210.  Metal bats are very expensive also.  

 

Please know that there is no organization outside of MLB that does more to help people that can't afford baseball.  Our sponsors also help when they can legally.  Our goal is to grow the game, not to destroy it.  Those people that can't afford a wood bat can't afford a composite either.  I agree that something needs to be done, but I'm not exactly sure what the answer is.  Eliminating some of these law suits might help.  Lowering the cost for insurance might help.  It goes beyond baseball, it's getting expensive to do most anything.  Of course, I'm sure everyone already knows that.

Maybe this question needs to be a new thread, but I will introduce it here.  What steps should a player take so as to maxiize the life of wooden bats?  Should you take BP and hit in games with the same bat or use differnt ones?  During BP, should one "wrap" the bat to limit damage - if yes, how does one go about wrapping?  When you get home, is the garage good enough or should you put your bats in your climate controlled closet?  Any other helpful hints would be appreciated? 

To extend the life of bats....good luck with that! If you find the answer, you will truly be a rich man.

For PG: Again, I completely understand where you're coming from and I also HATE that folks are so litigious, but I guess that's the world we live in today. When GHHS Jr actually has to hit at a PG wood event, he'll bring (and sling) the wood.

Most important tip I can give you us to make sure you are using it correctly.  You can't avoid breakage, but if you hit with it he right way you will break far fewer bats.

 

The skinnier the handle the more likely it will break.  However most still prefer the skinny handle with weight at the end.

 

You want to take BP with the same bat (model). You want that same weight, length and feel.  Some tape the barrel, some have BP bats and game bats.

 

Knowing how to use it, can save a lot of money.  Some will hit with the same bat for nearly the whole season.  Others will go through several.  The higher level of pitching the more bats get broken.  

 

It is probably wise to keep them out of extreme temperatures, but don't think it necessary to have them under climate control.

 

It is my personal belief that hitting with wood is a great developmental practice.  I would start out using the least expensive bats or composites.  Truth is you will end up wanting the best available in the games.  There can be a big difference from one wood bat to another.

 

I would think that you could google wood bats and gather a lot of information.

GHHS,

 

Good luck!  I'm glad you understand. And I also understand where you're coming from.

Personally, I fail to see what the big deal is. The name of the tournament is World WOOD BAT Championship. Why would anyone expect to NOT use a wood bat?  Composite is not wood. Plastic in the middle of the bat is not wood. Wood is wood, hence the name of the tournament. Like PGStaff said, if you don't want to use wood, enter the BCS in Ft. Myers, no wood restrictions there, just BBCOR.

 

My son has tried MANY brands of bats, but over the last 3 years has used Chandler exclusively.  I justify the cost by knowing that they shouldn't break that easily if you're swinging correctly, and the cheaper bats tend to break, split or splinter in a shorter amount of time.  So he gets the same amount of life out of 1 Chandler that he would out of 3 cheaper bats, that would cost the same amount of money or more.  As PG stated, being able to square the ball up consistently will increase the bat life.  Maple bats don't splinter as easily, in my opinion.

 

He always purchases the same model, length and weight; so after some period of time the game bat transitions to a BP bat.  He swings wood all year long, with the exception of HS games.  He does swing wood during BP at home and with the HS team during the HS season.

 

 

I originally posted the question as to why after so many years of allowing wood composite bats that suddenly, and without notice, disallowing them... Whether they should or shouldn't allow them and the opinion of for or against is moot, because PG did... and now they  don't...

If insurance reasons are the determining factor as to yay or nay, that's good enough reason for me.

Like I mentioned earlier, I hate to have to see kids and parents have even more pressure put on them when they get to the parks to play their games have to find out that their equipment isn't allowed, then have to scramble to hopefully find something that will work in a pinch.

Thanks for the great information PG, I certainly appreciate it very much!

"Our umpiring association and tournament staff decided to go with MLB rules regarding bats."  

 

And why not? Hell, I see no need for non-wood anywhere ... but I know people complain about the cost).

 

I LOVE this decision.

 

(and FWIW, my son loves Victus ... $109. He hates Chandlers: Broke like crazy.)

 

 

I agree PG.  Everything is getting expensive.  With wood, the thing you have to look at is the cost of swinging wood over a whole season as opposed to the cost of one bat.  I coached for many year and have two sons who played.  The older is just starting his second season in the Frontier League.  When they were coming up and playing in a lot of wood bat events I got to experience the pain points of wood bats.  I ended up inventing an all wood bat that is way more durable and carries a 5 month breakage warranty.  It is approved for PG, USA baseball, Connie Mack, etc.  They all like it because it is 100% real wood, no plastic or foreign materials. I don't have a large corporate marketing budget so I spread the word however I can.  Like you said, wood bats are still way less expensive than wood bats.  I remember way back in the day the argument for going to metal bats was that they would save money.  HA.

Mr. McDougall:

 

According the PG earlier in this thread, the umpiring association and tournament staff decided to go with MLB rules regarding bats... So according to that, ONLY 100% White Ash, Sugar Maple, True Hickory, Yellow Birch, Red Oak and Japanese ash would be the ONLY legal bats allowed for play in PerfectGame Events... These are the six types of wood allowed and are what MLB and the players union have agreed to be used... 

 

Does the new rule leave your great laminated product on the outside? I hope not...

 

Thanks for contributing.

Not sure.  I'll have to check that out.  In the past I spoke directly with the PG Pres/commissioners as I remember and got the AOK.  Stay tuned.  Kids don't make MLB money.

Hi PG.  I do now see on the PG site the rule about bats which is essentially the MLB rule.  If you email me john@macdougallbats.com I would be happy to forward to you the letter I have from the NCAA research panel that says they consider my bat to be a "solid wood bat".  They even ended up changing their rule for me.  Pennsylvania Legion ball changed to the MLB rule for bats and I can tell you the parents are livid.  I get calls from some of them every week.  It's too late today to contact anybody at the main office (the Fords) but I'll try tomorrow.  Perhaps you could make some inquiries.

Cheers

Just an FYI on the DeMarini, the barrel isn't solid.  Maple shell over plastic center that continues up through from the handle.  They and the Baums are both durable but certainly not much wood.  The Baum is about 1%.  My older son is also a pitcher now so I joke to him that "he's useless to me" for bat promotion.

You talked about being a wood billet you put on a lathe and turn it.  That's exactly what we do.  I just happen to "build" the wood billet first, then it gets turned like a regular bat.  Cheers

It seems that if insurance costs are the issue, PG should allow composite wood (at least an all wood bat like MacDougall that is certified by the NCAA as a solid wood bat). As recent events have shown, bat breakage can be very dangerous, and MacDougall's are much safer in that respect due to the way they're constructed (won't splinter). http://www.bostonglobe.com/spo...y.html?event=event25

For safety of infielders/pitchers, it seems like that reducing breakage should be encouraged vs. discouraged. Why not just go with the NCAA solid wood bat standard for PG?

While I understand the reason I disagree with the rule. It should not be about the umpires it should be about the players. What has been allowed should continue to be allowed. A change this big should have had one to two years advance preparation. This is just my opinion. My son uses trinity ash bat, 

What a baumer.

Ok you disagree, but why would anyone need 2 years advanced preparation?  It's a bat, get a new one.

A simple statement by PG saying there intent to move into wood only starting in 2016 would give those who need, time to find a bat. Smitty28 might not need anytime but someone else could.

Wow, now that's wit

fyi- Great news- Baum Bats allowed at all Perfect Game events again.

 

Bat Restrictions

* All 13U events will be Metal bat. All bats must have a branding, label, or stamp proving BPF 1.15 or BBCOR on it. There is length to weight ratio maximum of -5 (5 ounces). NO WOOD BATS

 WWBA - Wood Bat Tournaments (14U-18U)

Wood bat only.  Must be composed of a single piece of wood with the exception of the following composite wood bats

Rawlings

5150 Composite Pro Wood WC5150

VELO Composite Wood R110CV

Rawlings Composite 243MBS

Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite 271 MBC

Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite SL151V

Baum

AAA Pro Baum Bat