Ethics of College Coaches being paid by bat companies

I agree with the wood thing 100%.

This wasn't about a passion but an accusation towards some.

Baseball is a big business, on every level. Business means that someone profits in some way.

Many of us know people in the business at every level and some who make some really nice money at it (in fact millions).

 

But to say the coaches are unethical for taking endorsements from bat companies is just plain ridiculous and those statements do have to make one wonder what really is the issue.

 

And I am not apologizing for the above.

No apologies needed. I do have issues, who doesn't? But I have very thick skin.

I've seen several instances where the alternative to the current metal bats being used in college is stated simply as "wood" and then the breakage and resulting cost factors are used as justification of maintaining the status quo. There is another viable category available that is conveniently ignored which is the "composite wood" bats which provide a nice middle ground. I use Baum as an example because I am familiar with it's use through my son. These bats perform much like wood while possessing the "reduced breakage" aspect of the current metal bats in use. And if used properly they can realistically be expected to last a couple years. Cost wise buying one will run $216 (includes shipping) which prorates to $108/year (over a 2 year period). If purchased in groups of 6 the cost averages out to $81/year (over a 2 year period). This has to be cheaper than the current metal bats while maintaining the integrity and safety of the game.

 

I am not affiliated with any bat manufacturers.

Right now, I can get last year's Louisville Slugger Omaha BBCOR metal bat, which performs quite well, for anywhere between $99 and $119 and I can find any size made.

 

And RJM's statement about the potential for cost of wood bats to approach that of metal is not a "scrape the barrel" remark.  While that price ultimately may not quite reach the top range of metal bats, it can certainly come much closer with more demand.   I am in the industry and I can tell you that if College and HS were to switch to wood, availability of quality wood would become a HUGE issue.  Prices would go up significantly for GOOD wood bats.  Even then, they still break, so the net cost vs metal becomes even less attractive and less affordable for school programs that have to pay for them.   

 

I love wood bats but the abundance of factual info others have provided on this thread has great merit... as does the abundance of factual info that negates the "complete lack of ethics" stance and the info regarding the ball change.  So why would Ryno or others have to apologize for questioning the thought process of someone who continues to ignore piles of facts placed in their lap?

 

 

Having passion is one thing.  making unsubstantiated claims of unethical behavior on the part of College Coaches is entirely another. He should apologize...

Does your use of the term "wood" include the "composite wood" bats I mention in the post just prior to yours?

I'm not arguing against wood. I prefer wood. I'm stating facts on why things are the way they are.

Does anyone consider this unethical?

 

All doctors have a choice of two antibiotics. Both cure strep. Antibiotic A works a hair faster, is more expensive for the patient and has been known to cause reactions in .005% of the people that take it. Antibiotic B works a hair slower, costs less for the patient, and has been known to cause reactions in .003% of the population.

 

Drug A buys the doctors a trip to Cancun and signs them to a 50K yearly contract..

Drug B sends them a Holiday card.

 

The doctors have to vote which drug will be used by all of the doctors in the US.

 

Doctors vote for Drug A.

 

Is this allright?

I don't know about your doctor but mine prescribes the one that would do the trick and costs me less with my insurance, or without.

 

If you are trying to prove a point, you missed that on your first try.

So your answer is?...

Can only blame a bat for so much. The Dominicans can hit w anything.

Uh oh.  I see a BBCOR vs wood debate coming on.  

snowman,

No, my use in this particular instance does not include composites.  I'm trying to keep things at least somewhat tied to the original OP's "ethics" assertion and subsequent ignoring of the info put in front of him.  If you'd like to start another thread on the wood composites, I'll be glad to join that discussion.