Ban would be better for young athletes in training

I believe that aluminum bats being banned would allow for young hitters to learn a more professional style of hitting. Too many young hitters get into bad habits swinging big barrel, light aluminum and composite bats.

Even though the bat companies have attempted to make composite bats feel more like wood bats, hitters still tend to get more Ball Exit Speed on aluminum/composite bats versus wood bats. Bat speed is slower with wood bats than their aluminum/composite counterparts.

Thus, I do believe there will be more chances for a pitcher to react if a ball comes off a wood bat. However, a pitcher no matter how fast the ball comes off a wood or aluminum bat, MUST still be in a good, sound fielding position with their glove side in front of them. When their glove ends up behind them or way to the side of their body, they have no time to react, whether the bat is aluminum or wood.

Play Ball USA has been a proponent of wood bats since our inception in 2002. These training tools are essential if players are going to be ready to play at the next level. They have smaller sweet spots, tend to be weighted differently and allow for the young hitter to feel the ball on the bat when they do and do not hit the ball square.

More Coverage Stories Aluminum vs. wood bats: A difference in safety? [12/10/07] Pro: Ban would be better for young athletes in training [12/10/07] Con: Banning aluminum bats would not reduce injuries [12/10/07]

Aluminum bats give hitters early success even if they have major flaws in their swings.

Fitted correctly, wood bats help the hitters become stronger and more well-rounded hitters.

Aluminum bats have ended a lot of careers -- some because of technique and unfortunately some due to technology and money.

bull; Ron Cacini is the owner of Play Ball USA in Des Plaines. He played with the Houston Astros from 1991 to 1993 and the Schaumburg Flyers in 1999 and was a DePaul University Softball assistant coach from 1995 to 1997.