American Legion Baseball Lets Bat Rule Stand

INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2005) -- Following a nine-month review, the American Legion’s National Baseball Subcommittee has concluded that there is no substantial evidence in scientific research to support the claim that baseball bats made from wood are “safer” than bats manufactured from metal or composite materials. 
 The issue has been examined for years.  Statistics compiled from numerous studies by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Institute for Sports Science and Safety, were among the several studies considered by The American Legion in reaching their conclusion.
 The subject was brought to the national level by Legionnaires in Florida and Montana, where in 2003 an American Legion baseball pitcher died as a result of a head injury from a baseball hit with a metal bat. 
 “We were concerned then and we are concerned now for the safety of the game and the safety of the young athletes who participate in it,” said Larry Price, Chairman of the subcommittee.  “With deference to the family of the young man we have given the matter our fullest attention over the last nine months.  We have collected, compiled and distributed for the committee’s study a great deal of technical information, scientific analysis and expert opinion.  We have heard from both camps – wood and non-wood – and we have found no clear evidence of unreasonable risk of injury or death with the use of non-wood bats in the game of baseball.”
 In a twenty-year study by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (1982-2002), 7 deaths of high school aged baseball players were recorded.  In that same period, there were 6 deaths in soccer, 20 deaths in track, and 92 deaths associated with football.  Price
offered that the game of baseball is one of the safest sports played today in high school and at the college level, noting that, “Injuries and, tragically, deaths occur in nearly every sport.  By comparison, death on a baseball diamond is extremely rare.” 
 Meeting at Indianapolis, Ind. in their semi-annual gathering, the eight-member subcommittee heard from David Cook, president of Hoosier Bat Company and Jim Darby, vice-president for Easton Bat Company.  Both are experts in the manufacture and use of wood and non-wood bats, respectively.
 “Nearly every amateur baseball organization, from the NCAA to Little League has closely monitored and studied the use and safety of bats.  These organizations, about 19 in number, permit teams to use both wood and non-wood bats,” said Price.
 Price noted that another three-year independent study on bat safety is being organized.  The study is being directed by Dr. Fred Mueller, a member of the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Committee and Director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research.
 “We look eagerly toward its results,” said Price, “For now, finding no substantial evidence in scientific research on which to base a decision to ban non-wood bats from the field of play, The American Legion will maintain the current rule, which leaves the option for wood bats to the teams that play American Legion ball.”
-- 30 --

Contact: Jim Quinlan, (317) 630-1213.