Coach Opposes Metal Bat Ban
February 4, 2007

Copyright 2007, Billings Gazette
Letter: Wood-Bat Bill Would Hurt MSUB Baseball

The future of MSU-Billings baseball rests with the Legislature, which is now considering HB360, a bill that would ban nonwood bats.

We are an NCAA II program and the only four-year and NCAA baseball program in Montana. No other Division I or II baseball program in the country plays with wood bats and would not be willing to do so to accommodate us. We would be forced to play without any conference affiliation, have no home games, have an unrealistic and unattainable travel budget, and it prevent us from hosting any post-season games. As a result, we would be an unattractive option to potential student-athletes in Montana and the region.

HB360 could easily lead to the demise of our program, taking opportunities away from the 32 Montana student-athletes on our team, but also numerous future Montana baseball student-athletes who dream of playing collegiate baseball in their home state.

This is a hefty price to pay for a bill that will not increase safety on the field. The baseball "exit speed" for NCAA approved non-wood bats is already strictly regulated and cannot exceed that of the northern white ash wood bat. Please urge your representative to vote "no" on House Bill 360.

Chris Brown
Head Baseball Coach
MSU-Billings