Metal baseball bats linked to increased risk of brain injury
Following a life-threatening brain injury to a high school student, there have been renewed calls to ban metal bats in youth baseball. A 16-year-old pitcher from Marin County, California remains in a coma after he was struck by ball traveling at over 120 mph. According to experts, metal baseball bats enable players to hit the ball as much as 15 percent harder than with a more traditional wooden bat, substantially increasing the risk of serious personal injury or even wrongful death. It is not hard to see the appeal of lighter aluminum bats in youth baseball. They are easier to swing and subsequently give junior players a better opportunity to hit home runs. However, given that metal bats are outlawed in Major League Baseball, is it time for high school and amateur federations to also consider a ban?
