tres_arboles - Interesting take!
Was recently reading an article about the introduction of face masks, chest protectors and shin guards for catchers into baseball in the late 1800's. Pretty similar to your story about hockey.
Lots of these guys resisted for a long time out of fear of being labeled a coward. Early catchers wore the chest protector under their uni in hopes of not being detected.
Johnny P. Pitcher looks in to get his sign.
The more I think about this, the more I think that something ought to be done at least at the amateur level. I certainly hear those who say leave the game alone and that may even be easier for me because my son is not a pitcher.
What about Gunnar Sandberg however? How would I comfort his parents right now. Would I tell them this was just a fluke of the game and that Gunnar was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Would I tell them that if only his defensive technique had been better, that he would not be in such a precarious, life-threatening situation?
Maybe I might tell them (after thoughts and prayers and encouragement) that if it were in my power, that I would see to it that no other young man would suffer like this.
Forgetting the logistical arguments at this time, what would you do if it were in your power right now? Would you leave the game the way it is or would you seek to change it for the safety of the participants? Apparently hockey has changed. Batters wear helmets. Football players wear protection. Base coaches wear helmets. And pitchers... duck?
What about Gunnar Sandberg however? How would I comfort his parents right now. Would I tell them this was just a fluke of the game and that Gunnar was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Would I tell them that if only his defensive technique had been better, that he would not be in such a precarious, life-threatening situation?
Maybe I might tell them (after thoughts and prayers and encouragement) that if it were in my power, that I would see to it that no other young man would suffer like this.
Forgetting the logistical arguments at this time, what would you do if it were in your power right now? Would you leave the game the way it is or would you seek to change it for the safety of the participants? Apparently hockey has changed. Batters wear helmets. Football players wear protection. Base coaches wear helmets. And pitchers... duck?
CD
It may sound cruel but realistically it is a fluke
People get killed driving automobiles even if not drinking
Kids get killed playing s o c c e r. My buddies 13 year old son died on the field, almost instantly when he took a knee to the head
I would leave the game the way it is currently. The incidence of such injuries is miniscule
It may sound cruel but realistically it is a fluke
People get killed driving automobiles even if not drinking
Kids get killed playing s o c c e r. My buddies 13 year old son died on the field, almost instantly when he took a knee to the head
I would leave the game the way it is currently. The incidence of such injuries is miniscule
quote:The incidence of such injuries is miniscule
Not if the incidence involves your son. Why should our judgments be any different because it is not "my" son?
The high school'r who is currently in the induced coma was playing my sons' former high school, the parents of our school were just horrified to see the pitcher hit on the head. They obviously called the game after it took place. I heard about it when I was sitting at a game 490 miles away.
Last year, I was sitting with one of our top pitcher's father on my sons' college team, they went to the college world series last year and are currently ranked 2 in the country (DII) as we speak, when his son was hit in the face with a come backer. Knocked out a few teeth and broke his jaw. It was like watching it in slow motion, and he was not even my son, and his father and Grand father were devastated.
Not to mention, knowing justbaseball and his son for several years, so I guess, I have been around the fluke situation way too much, not to mention the other close calls.
Last year, I was sitting with one of our top pitcher's father on my sons' college team, they went to the college world series last year and are currently ranked 2 in the country (DII) as we speak, when his son was hit in the face with a come backer. Knocked out a few teeth and broke his jaw. It was like watching it in slow motion, and he was not even my son, and his father and Grand father were devastated.
Not to mention, knowing justbaseball and his son for several years, so I guess, I have been around the fluke situation way too much, not to mention the other close calls.
Bottom line is if metal bats aren't banned, these kind of injuries will have a much better chance of happening. I've been around enough games to know that wood is better and safer for the game...No gimmicks, no besr ratings, no trampoline effects no composites..Get rid of it all and to go wood. Unless organizations don't go to wood, then government needs to step in and pass a law to ban it. It's better that organizations dso it on their own but it's clear that's not happening by leaving it up to them. Some American Legion districts in our area has gone wood but it's not enough.
30 bombs son told a similar story about his game just a few days ago. Which game was that if you can say?
It can still happen with a wood bat. But the risk goes down considerably because its just harder to square it up with wood. So if we are serious about making the game safer then its about reducing the risk. You will never be able to take all the risk out of the game. But its a fact you can reduce the risk by going to wood. Go back to wood bats. Get rid of the metal rocket launchers.
How many young men have to get hurt before we at least begin the reduce the risk by going back to wood bats? Youth , HS and college players can play with wood bats. Stop the madness.
How many young men have to get hurt before we at least begin the reduce the risk by going back to wood bats? Youth , HS and college players can play with wood bats. Stop the madness.
The answer to the question..Should pitchers wear helmets? Probably NO.
Should wood bats be mandated starting at the high school level? YES
I took a line drive in my day off an aluminum bat. was IN THE PROPER DEFENSIVE POSITION. The ball came so fast that it still caused some damage.
As I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, there is huge difference between solid and hollow, weight distribution. My earlier post was this:
Just witnessed a college pitcher take one off the head. Gun read 103mph on the hit, and it wasn't flushed. In the same game, a hitter knocked the glove off the pitcher at 109 mph ball speed, hit so hard it shot to the 2nd baseman for a ground out.
I agree with solid versus hollow. The weight distribution between the two is day and night.
Without discussing science and physics, all one has to do is compare statistics and power numbers of college players Spring seasons versus Summer wood bat seasons. A general sharp DECLINE because there is a reduction in trampoline effect.
The comment about poor defensive positioning by the pitcher is way off base. Trust me from experience. The ball is on you before you know it.
Ban non-wood bats starting at the high school level.
Should wood bats be mandated starting at the high school level? YES
I took a line drive in my day off an aluminum bat. was IN THE PROPER DEFENSIVE POSITION. The ball came so fast that it still caused some damage.
As I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, there is huge difference between solid and hollow, weight distribution. My earlier post was this:
Just witnessed a college pitcher take one off the head. Gun read 103mph on the hit, and it wasn't flushed. In the same game, a hitter knocked the glove off the pitcher at 109 mph ball speed, hit so hard it shot to the 2nd baseman for a ground out.
I agree with solid versus hollow. The weight distribution between the two is day and night.
Without discussing science and physics, all one has to do is compare statistics and power numbers of college players Spring seasons versus Summer wood bat seasons. A general sharp DECLINE because there is a reduction in trampoline effect.
The comment about poor defensive positioning by the pitcher is way off base. Trust me from experience. The ball is on you before you know it.
Ban non-wood bats starting at the high school level.
Yes, it is a fluke if any one pitcher suffers a significant injury on a comebacker. However, there are a lot of pitchers out there so it does happen.
There are also things that can be done about it without negatively affecting the game. Wood bats, or metal bats that really don't perform better than wood (other than lasting longer) would help. A lightweight helmet or insert for the cap that would take some of the initial impact would help. Perhaps the shatterproof glasses would help.
None of these things would change the game other than to bring it back to the way it was meant to be played.
Making these type of changes wouldn't eliminate the risk. It might only save 1 or 2 of the next 3 lives that might have otherwise been lost or destroyed.
My question is who is on the side of letting 1 player die needlessly?
There are also things that can be done about it without negatively affecting the game. Wood bats, or metal bats that really don't perform better than wood (other than lasting longer) would help. A lightweight helmet or insert for the cap that would take some of the initial impact would help. Perhaps the shatterproof glasses would help.
None of these things would change the game other than to bring it back to the way it was meant to be played.
Making these type of changes wouldn't eliminate the risk. It might only save 1 or 2 of the next 3 lives that might have otherwise been lost or destroyed.
My question is who is on the side of letting 1 player die needlessly?
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
There are also things that can be done about it without negatively affecting the game. Wood bats, or metal bats that really don't perform better than wood (other than lasting longer) would help.
Why do you think cheaters corked their bats? They were trying to reduce the barrel weight because wood is SOLID.
If you made a solid metal bat like wood it would weight 12 pounds, or more??
The Japan HS baseball Federation made it mandatory to have pitchers wear a "boxing" style helmet.
I asked why? They said two pitchers were killed in high school games. Our hitters in BP nearly killed a Japanese HS BP pitcher before our game in 2004.
We no longer play the Japan National teams unless they use wood. Our International travel teams use wood.
Will it take a "huge" lawsuit, before the schools,
College Associations "get the message".
In 1987, we used wood in our 1st Area Code games, because the pro scouts and myself believed it was the correct way to play and "respect" the game.
Bob Williams
I asked why? They said two pitchers were killed in high school games. Our hitters in BP nearly killed a Japanese HS BP pitcher before our game in 2004.
We no longer play the Japan National teams unless they use wood. Our International travel teams use wood.
Will it take a "huge" lawsuit, before the schools,
College Associations "get the message".
In 1987, we used wood in our 1st Area Code games, because the pro scouts and myself believed it was the correct way to play and "respect" the game.
Bob Williams
It would take a large contingent to effect change.
Count me in the campaign.
Count me in the campaign.
Think about it for just a minute. If your son was laying in a hospital bed with part of his skull removed to reduce swelling. If you had no idea if he would ever wake up. Do you think you might have a different opinion on this matter? Now why should it have to be someone else's son for you to have a different opinion on this matter? Why?
How many is too many?
1 if its your kid. How many if its not?
How many is too many?
1 if its your kid. How many if its not?
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
My question is who is on the side of letting 1 player die needlessly?
That is the question that is haunting me.
I love the wood bat solution but that only goes part way. I don't want to speak for justbb and I am getting a sense his feelings are different than mine but the fact is his son was injured seriously up on Cape Cod with wood bats.
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
Think about it for just a minute. If your son was laying in a hospital bed with part of his skull removed to reduce swelling. If you had no idea if he would ever wake up. Do you think you might have a different opinion on this matter? Now why should it have to be someone else's son for you to have a different opinion on this matter? Why?
How many is too many?
1 if its your kid. How many if its not?
Exactly Coach May. My opinion on the subject has changed today. Imagine if it were your son?
This discussion topic is hot even in my wifes office?
This discussion is hot because I heard mothers of college pitchers talking of their deepest fear, that being their son cranked by a line drive.
If fear is such an element of the game today because of metal bats, then hasn't baseball become "less fun" for everyone?
How does a diamond rat old man consider telling his young son to quit pitching because he fears for his health? Why do I have to be more worried than excited when he takes the mound?
I am being honest, which puts me on the precautionary side of things.
BAN NON-WOOD BATS!
That is just plain WRONG.
This discussion is hot because I heard mothers of college pitchers talking of their deepest fear, that being their son cranked by a line drive.
If fear is such an element of the game today because of metal bats, then hasn't baseball become "less fun" for everyone?
How does a diamond rat old man consider telling his young son to quit pitching because he fears for his health? Why do I have to be more worried than excited when he takes the mound?
I am being honest, which puts me on the precautionary side of things.
BAN NON-WOOD BATS!
That is just plain WRONG.
Here is how I feel about all of this. There is risk in life. Driving a car. It can be very dangerous. Wear your seat belt , dont speed , dont pass on a double yellow line , dont drink and drive , dont text while driving , on and on.
But no matter how safe you are , no matter how well you obey the laws someone can run a stop sign and kill you. The same can be said for baseball. A wood bat can kill you and you could have done nothing wrong at all.
Now lets talk about metal bats. It akin to taking the speed limit signs down. Saying its ok to text and drive. Its ok to drive if you dont have too many drinks. You can pass on a double yellow line just be careful. etc etc.
It puts a risk in the game that does not need to or have to be there. It adds a significant risk to a game that already has enough risk. Why add a significant risk to the game? We all know why. Now ask yourself if adding this significant risk to the game is worth it? Now ask yourself that same question if your son was the one hit in the head and answer that same question.
God forbid it is my son. But I can tell you I understand there is risk in life. And I would rather my son live his life with that risk than just exist in this life and live with none. I understand that everytime my kids wake up in the morning they are going to be at risk in their lives. Now why would I want to ADD to the risk of the game they play?
I can not believe that anyone actually believes that metal bats do not ADD to the risk of serious injury or death. Now are the "benefits" of metal bats worth that added risk? First of all I see no benefit to them even without the added risk but thats just me. But for those that feel they are a benefit to the game are they worth the added risk? If the answer is yes would you say yes again if your son was the one hit in the head? If you say yes again , you need to be hit in the head and get some sense knocked in you.
But no matter how safe you are , no matter how well you obey the laws someone can run a stop sign and kill you. The same can be said for baseball. A wood bat can kill you and you could have done nothing wrong at all.
Now lets talk about metal bats. It akin to taking the speed limit signs down. Saying its ok to text and drive. Its ok to drive if you dont have too many drinks. You can pass on a double yellow line just be careful. etc etc.
It puts a risk in the game that does not need to or have to be there. It adds a significant risk to a game that already has enough risk. Why add a significant risk to the game? We all know why. Now ask yourself if adding this significant risk to the game is worth it? Now ask yourself that same question if your son was the one hit in the head and answer that same question.
God forbid it is my son. But I can tell you I understand there is risk in life. And I would rather my son live his life with that risk than just exist in this life and live with none. I understand that everytime my kids wake up in the morning they are going to be at risk in their lives. Now why would I want to ADD to the risk of the game they play?
I can not believe that anyone actually believes that metal bats do not ADD to the risk of serious injury or death. Now are the "benefits" of metal bats worth that added risk? First of all I see no benefit to them even without the added risk but thats just me. But for those that feel they are a benefit to the game are they worth the added risk? If the answer is yes would you say yes again if your son was the one hit in the head? If you say yes again , you need to be hit in the head and get some sense knocked in you.
Good points about risk. Look, my son when hitting as well as every son here who steps in the batter's box faces serious injury or death - even with a helmet on. The helmet has reduced the risk to acceptable levels howver. I am not sure we can say that about pitchers however. A brief perusal on the Internet reveals that head injuries by pitchers are common in the sport. Here is a study that compares pitcher head injuries of metal versus wood. Even though the metal bat injuries are higher per 100,000 balls hit, there are still wood bat injuries. I keep thinking about the hockey arguments raised in this thread and thinking that we already have the technology. What are the good arguments for the status quo? I am struggling with that in view of Gunnar's injury. Here is the wood versus metal bat study:
http://www.dtmba.com/mueller.pdf
http://www.dtmba.com/mueller.pdf
I guess my point wasn't absorbed.
If concern during a game exceeds the fun and enjoyment, then Houston, there is a problem.
If you fear a kid taking the mound versus looking forward to it hoping he does well, then why even play the game.
It is that bad out there. I hear it, and I also feel it.
If concern during a game exceeds the fun and enjoyment, then Houston, there is a problem.
If you fear a kid taking the mound versus looking forward to it hoping he does well, then why even play the game.
It is that bad out there. I hear it, and I also feel it.
quote:Originally posted by 30bombs:
I guess my point wasn't absorbed.
If concern during a game exceeds the fun and enjoyment, then Houston, there is a problem.
If you fear a kid taking the mound versus looking forward to it hoping he does well, then why even play the game.
It is that bad out there. I hear it, and I also feel it.
The point was absorbed. Gunnar and now Justin Gill were not afraid while they were out there. You cannot play baseball with fear. The question is we have the technology to eliminate these types of injuries. I am not talking about full body armor or pitching inside of a tank. Why is it ok for pitchers to get hit in the head but it is not ok for hitters?
A kid that lives a few towns over from us was killed about 7-8 years ago when he was playing shortstop in a high school summer league game. He went back on a fly ball and the left fielder came running in. They collided and the left fielders knee collided with the shortstop's neck. My only point in that freak accidents do happen and you can't re-create the rules after each one. I do think that the wood bat at the high school and college level is long over due. Besides, I can't stand listening to the ping of metal in the spring after listening to the crack of wood all winter long. It just sounds like a little league game. IMHO.
I am going to have to think on the pitchers wearing helmets thing for awhile. Would it reduce the risk? Yes I am sure it would. There are a lot of things that you could do to reduce the risks in the game. But there are always going to be risks no matter what you do. The most simple thing you could do is remove the metal bats from the game. Take it back to baseball and take it away from metal ball.
There would still be risk but a reduced risk. Maybe there could be some type of helmet pitchers could wear that would not prohibit them from performing to their best ability. I can tell you I have been scared to death for some pitchers over the years in hs. A big strong kid at the plate who can really hit. A young inexperienced pitcher who struggled to locate. I have sat there and cringed at some of the shots hit back in that direction. I saw one of my kids hit a line drive off a 3b leg that ended up at the left field fence. It fractured the players leg. He never saw it come off the bat.
I actually have stood over by the 3rd base dugout when certain kids got up to bat. I really couldnt even coach my baserunner at 2nd base until I saw where the ball was hit. It can be very dangerous.
There would still be risk but a reduced risk. Maybe there could be some type of helmet pitchers could wear that would not prohibit them from performing to their best ability. I can tell you I have been scared to death for some pitchers over the years in hs. A big strong kid at the plate who can really hit. A young inexperienced pitcher who struggled to locate. I have sat there and cringed at some of the shots hit back in that direction. I saw one of my kids hit a line drive off a 3b leg that ended up at the left field fence. It fractured the players leg. He never saw it come off the bat.
I actually have stood over by the 3rd base dugout when certain kids got up to bat. I really couldnt even coach my baserunner at 2nd base until I saw where the ball was hit. It can be very dangerous.
quote:Originally posted by gap2gap:
They collided and the left fielders knee collided with the shortstop's neck. My only point in that freak accidents do happen and you can't re-create the rules after each one. IMHO.
Different debate/topic, but this happened.
http://collegebaseball.rivals....392&sid=1169&style=2
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
I actually have stood over by the 3rd base dugout when certain kids got up to bat. I really couldnt even coach my baserunner at 2nd base until I saw where the ball was hit. It can be very dangerous.
That's not baseball, is it?
This may be a poor example but may identify a parallel situation.
One guy driving a car is injured because he is not wearing a seatbelt as he hits another guy speeding at 80mph. Both are in the wrong. What could be done to potentially rectify the problem.
My point is, while speed has the potential to injure, accidents happen at all speeds and as a society we develop safety measures to protect against accidents. Maybe pointing at the bat as the culprit all the time we are wearing blinders in regard to the real potential.
One guy driving a car is injured because he is not wearing a seatbelt as he hits another guy speeding at 80mph. Both are in the wrong. What could be done to potentially rectify the problem.
My point is, while speed has the potential to injure, accidents happen at all speeds and as a society we develop safety measures to protect against accidents. Maybe pointing at the bat as the culprit all the time we are wearing blinders in regard to the real potential.
quote:Originally posted by rz1:
This may be a poor example but may identify a parallel situation.
One guy driving a car is injured because he is not wearing a seatbelt as he hits another guy driving at 80mph. Both are in the wrong. What could be done to rectify the problem.
Put an umpire in the backseat to enforce the rules?
Some 18U and younger softball pitchers are wearing these .... 
Pitchers are 43 feet from the hitter in 18U and 40 feet at other levels. Third basemen may be forty five feet away from the hitter when anticipating a bunt. I've seen teams guess wrong playing third up for the bunt. A lot of the hitters aren't little anymore.
I don't know anyone personally who uses the pitcher's/fielder's mask. My daughter hated it when ASA mandated hitter's facemasks. She whiplashed herself the first game catching her facemask on the ground sliding head first. She didn't wear the mask in college.
I don't know anyone personally who uses the pitcher's/fielder's mask. My daughter hated it when ASA mandated hitter's facemasks. She whiplashed herself the first game catching her facemask on the ground sliding head first. She didn't wear the mask in college.
quote:In 1987, we used wood in our 1st Area Code games, because the pro scouts and myself believed it was the correct way to play and "respect" the game.
Bob ... that's great and as it should be! My son's 17U Travel team played the entire Summer/Fall using Wood at all tournaments played through East Cobb Baseball. I think we may have played one metal bat tournament but stayed with wood anyway.
Using wood bats for high level (Showcase/travel, HS & College),play should be the requirement. If players are good enough to play at that level there is no reason to hide behind a tool that artificailly enhances your performance. If you're not good enough to hit with a wood bat, you're not good enough.
Prime
Our travel team also plays wood 100% even in metal bat events--not because of the safety factor but because of the fact that it is "real" baseball
Our travel team also plays wood 100% even in metal bat events--not because of the safety factor but because of the fact that it is "real" baseball
I agree we should just go back to wood. Yesterday we had our pitcher get drilled with a shot back up the middle. Luckly he took the hit on his back. This was not pitcher that was having trouble hitting spots ( I think he is going to a top D2 school), just a good batter with a metal bat.
Thank god he was okay.
Thank god he was okay.
I see both sides of this.
My initial reaction is "No, pitchers should not have to wear helmets." I used to ride motorcycles (never pitched in baseball, LOL), but while I did wear a helmet, it seriously reduced my ability to hear/see/react. I felt like I was wearing a bucket! If a pitcher must wear a helmet, IMO it would need to be so lightweight and unobstructive that I would doubt it's effectiveness.
Then again, my son has had a few hit back to him so hard while on the mound that I was wishing he had on full body armor! And, if any of those had resulted in a head injury, I would probably be a helmet advocate. VERY SELFISH, I know, but I'm just saying....
My daughter played HS softball and, like RJM's daughter, HATED it when they had to start wearing face masks on her helmet. I doubt seriously she would have wanted to wear a helmet on the mound.
IMO, LET'S ALL GO BACK TO WOOD BATS!!!
My initial reaction is "No, pitchers should not have to wear helmets." I used to ride motorcycles (never pitched in baseball, LOL), but while I did wear a helmet, it seriously reduced my ability to hear/see/react. I felt like I was wearing a bucket! If a pitcher must wear a helmet, IMO it would need to be so lightweight and unobstructive that I would doubt it's effectiveness.
Then again, my son has had a few hit back to him so hard while on the mound that I was wishing he had on full body armor! And, if any of those had resulted in a head injury, I would probably be a helmet advocate. VERY SELFISH, I know, but I'm just saying....
My daughter played HS softball and, like RJM's daughter, HATED it when they had to start wearing face masks on her helmet. I doubt seriously she would have wanted to wear a helmet on the mound.
IMO, LET'S ALL GO BACK TO WOOD BATS!!!
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Prime
Our travel team also plays wood 100% even in metal bat events--not because of the safety factor but because of the fact that it is "real" baseball
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)has approved a new rule regarding bat specs. I believe the rule goes into effect in 2012. Here's an excerpt:
"...The new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities.
It sounds like somebody is paying attention. Hopefully, this is just a first step.
"...The new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities.
It sounds like somebody is paying attention. Hopefully, this is just a first step.
To answer an earlier question as to " would you feel the same if it were your son who was hit in the head?"- Yes I would --we cannot keep changing things because accidents happen--it is part of life--accidents do happen ---
The game is just such a great game as it is--if we go back to wood from LL on up I think we will see less problems---and yes comebackers happen with wood---but the game is meant to be played with wood
The game is just such a great game as it is--if we go back to wood from LL on up I think we will see less problems---and yes comebackers happen with wood---but the game is meant to be played with wood
quote:The game is just such a great game as it is--if we go back to wood from LL on up I think we will see less problems---and yes comebackers happen with wood---but the game is meant to be played with wood
Tr ... I certainly agree with you there. We need to protect the youth from injury and Wood will do that AND as a side BENEFIT they will more effectively learn how to center the baseball and generate torque to drive the ball ...... necessary skills to continue playing!!!!!
quote:To answer an earlier question as to " would you feel the same if it were your son who was hit in the head?"- Yes I would...
Me too! And my son was hit in the head. I was against metal bats before he was hit in the head and I remain against them...even stronger!
(BTW, he was hit with a ball off a wood bat).
We have spent the last 17 years promoting the use of wood bats for amateur players.
I, too, have a son who was a pitcher. The danger was always in the back of my mind. Wood is dangerous... Metal is MORE dangerous!
People can find statistics to back up their side of the debate. Why don't they just ask all the pitchers and hitters which they feel is more dangerous. They are the ones who really know and they don't need any statistics.
Even if the ball did come off the bat at the same speed which I don't believe... Which game (metal or wood) creates more offense and scoring? We all know the answer to that question. More offense and more scoring means more balls being hit hard. Metal has bigger sweet spot, everyone knows that! More balls being hit hard means more balls hit hard up the middle and unless I'm even more stupid than I think, that means metal is MORE DANGEROUS!
However, even if it weren't more dangerous, there are many other reasons to return the game to wood.
I, too, have a son who was a pitcher. The danger was always in the back of my mind. Wood is dangerous... Metal is MORE dangerous!
People can find statistics to back up their side of the debate. Why don't they just ask all the pitchers and hitters which they feel is more dangerous. They are the ones who really know and they don't need any statistics.
Even if the ball did come off the bat at the same speed which I don't believe... Which game (metal or wood) creates more offense and scoring? We all know the answer to that question. More offense and more scoring means more balls being hit hard. Metal has bigger sweet spot, everyone knows that! More balls being hit hard means more balls hit hard up the middle and unless I'm even more stupid than I think, that means metal is MORE DANGEROUS!
However, even if it weren't more dangerous, there are many other reasons to return the game to wood.