After seeing both coaches and fans both get hurt by broken maple bats this year, Major League Baseball has called upon the players union and major league teams to discuss the issue:
- Commissioner Bud Selig has expressed concern about the possibility that the shattered bats could cause injuries. Baseball’s safety and health advisory committee will discuss whether there is a need for changes. The group, which includes the Mets’ Aaron Heilman, is expected to talk about the need for strict specifications for the width of bat handles.
“I really don’t know what’s going to come out of this,” Heilman said. “What we’re going to do is take a serious look at the safety issues and see if something needs to be done, what can be done and what the viable options are.”
It is a positive step that the players and MLB are discussing the situation. This is obviously an issue that needs to be dealt with, but in what way? The players union likely will not accept a ban of the bats, as an estimated 60% of players use the lumber. Teams don’t want to put up more protective netting in their stadiums. The one thing you hope is that it doesn’t take a Mike Coolbaugh type incident to get a resolution.
But a solution needs to be found soon.
ghost man on third... 