Banning aluminum bats would not reduce injuries
Little League strongly opposes the legislation proposed by Illinois Rep. Robert Molaro. We believe that passing such a law would not reduce injuries in baseball and softball. Instead, in our judgment, it is more likely to result in fewer children participating not only in Little League, but in other youth baseball and softball programs.
Our volunteers know that safety has been, and always will be, the hallmark of Little League Baseball and Softball. They know that if this was an issue of safety, Little League would again take the lead in finding a way to reduce injuries.
I wanted to share with you some of the facts involved, and how Little League has taken a distinctly pro-active approach to the non-wood bat issue.
• Since 1993, bat manufacturers have only been producing non-wood bats for play in Little League that do not exceed a "Bat Performance Factor" of 1.15. The BPF is essentially a measure of a non-wood bat's performance (how fast the ball exits the bat when hit) in relation to a standard wood bat's rating of 1.00. A very good wood bat's BPF is 1.15.
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]
That means today's best non-wood bats (usually made of aluminum) used in Little League perform statistically the same, in terms of how fast the ball exits the best wood bats.
bull; In 2001, Little League International remained vigilant about reducing injuries and cooperated in a thorough review of non-wood bats by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. At the conclusion of the review, the CPSC determined there was insufficient evidence to support a ban of non-wood bats from the marketplace.
bull; Injury data has been kept on record at Little League International since the early 1960s. Since that time, there have been eight fatalities in the Little League program as a result of a batted ball. Six of those fatalities have come from wood bats and two from non-wood bats, in 1971 and 1973. Those occurred 20 years before the mandated Bat Performance Standard that is in place today.
bull; Some people prefer wood bats because they are more traditionally associated with baseball. Players in local Little Leagues have always been able to use wood bats if they wish. Little League International supports the right of a league or individual to choose to use either wood or BPF-certified non-wood bats.
Ultimately, because there is no data or evidence to support the banning of non-wood bats as a safety issue, it is one of choice. It is true that non-wood bats are lighter than wood bats, and are thus easier for younger, less-skilled players to swing. It means these players are able to have more success while batting, by being able to hit the ball more often. That, in turn, increases the involvement of other players in the game. But because of Little League's historic penchant for safety, using non-wood bats does not mean those players are less safe.
We believe that a legislative ban on non-wood bats in Little League will not make it safer for youth baseball and softball players in Illinois. Instead, it will likely only serve to decrease participation in these great sports, and potentially drive these children into less healthy pursuits.
bull; Phil Rizzo is the administrator for the District 13 Little League, which covers several suburbs, including Bartlett, Crystal Lake, Streamwood, Carpentersville, Huntley, Hampshire, Marengo, Elgin, South Elgin, Hanover Park and Woodstock.