I concur to do away with aluminum bats. When I read about players, coaches and fans getting hit I just cringe. I am very happy for this player and I wish him well. JD

I'm assuming you and others think it will not happen due to costs of buying wood bats as they break.

 

How much does a good high school wood bat cost?

 

How much do teams spend on the new aluminum bats? Or do players buy their own?

 

I asked a couple of college coaches last week, (Arkansas, Alabama), if there was any movement toward wood in college. They said that it just won't happen. According to them, college programs (coaches) get between $30k and $150k from manufacturers, and they can't afford to lose that. I asked why they same incentives wouldn't just shift to wood, they said the margins in aluminum are simply too good and the money would go away. In other words, it would cost the schools too much even though wood would be relatively same cost (example: 3 aluminum bats = 6 wood bats). Beyond that, I didn't get much detail....just the repeated statement that it won't happen. I wonder, (as terribly unfortunate as it would be)...will it take continued injury to eventually cause the powers to be to reconsider?

I asked a couple of college coaches last week, (Arkansas, Alabama), if there was any movement toward wood in college. They said that it just won't happen. According to them, college programs (coaches) get between $30k and $150k from manufacturers, and they can't afford to lose that. I asked why they same incentives wouldn't just shift to wood, they said the margins in aluminum are simply too good and the money would go away. In other words, it would cost the schools too much even though wood would be relatively same cost (example: 3 aluminum bats = 6 wood bats). Beyond that, I didn't get much detail....just the repeated statement that it won't happen. I wonder, (as terribly unfortunate as it would be)...will it take continued injury to eventually cause the powers to be to reconsider?

 

Wow! I had know idea college programs were being paid that much from manufacturers. How about high school though? All the kids pay for their own bats in high school, so why do they make it mandatory in high school? I bet if you looked at the amount of injuries taking place I would imagine the greater % happens at the high school level.

A split second or a second is all the difference wood bats would make. Unfortunately Mr. Layne would've had no time either way. All my thoughts are with him he is a great young man with great desire and I know he will make a full recovery.

A split second or a second is all the difference wood bats would make. Unfortunately Mr. Layne would've had no time either way. All my thoughts are with him he is a great young man with great desire and I know he will make a full recovery.

 

I pitched for a long time and had many balls hit back up the box at me. That split second could have made all the difference.

 

However, we could debate this all day, but in the end the most important thing is that this young man comes back fine from this mishap...

I pitched for a long time and had many balls hit back up the box at me. That split second could have made all the difference.

 

However, we could debate this all day, but in the end the most important thing is that this young man comes back fine from this mishap...

:thumb: :thumb:

Those in the know at Ryle baseball say that Robert's swelling has diminished and that he is recovering from his facial injury. The eye socket injury does not seem to be a major problem, but the two fractures in his jaw are giving him the most discomfort. Get healed up Robert!

Those in the know at Ryle baseball say that Robert's swelling has diminished and that he is recovering from his facial injury. The eye socket injury does not seem to be a major problem, but the two fractures in his jaw are giving him the most discomfort. Get healed up Robert!

Thanks for the update and complete, full recovery to this young man.

Line drives back at a pitcher is about as scary as it gets in baseball. Halfway through this season I had one hit back at me and broke my hand, didn't play until Semi-State. Couldn't image if one had hit me in the face.

That is good news to hear that Robert is on the road to a full recovery! Best wishes...