In news that will be well-received by many -- but perhaps not collectors and current wooden bat manufacturers -- the Associated Press reports that an MIT grad has come up with an innovative bat made of maple that will not break.
The initial sales target may well be youth leagues which have in recent years become more wary of aluminum bats because of the speed with which the ball is hit. The scales still tip in favor of the durability and affordability of aluminum over wood, but this invention may change the thinking.
Of course, Major League Baseball will likely take a look at this offering as well, given the apparent increase in shattered bats this season. They clearly present real safety concerns, but it seems that there are no easy answers.
The bats cost between $100 and $150, so they certainly aren't cheap, but if they offer performance comparable to a traditional wooden bat with the durability of an aluminum model, it is likely that more leagues will closely consider them.
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