The NCAA Puts The Brakes on Composite Bats

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel last week affirmed a decision made in July to put an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of the often-tampered piece of hardware. It will keep examining the issue to see if the moratorium can be lifted.

Here are some of their findings from the improved trampoline effect of a composite bat -- the ball comes off the bat as much as 20 mph faster, which means better offensive numbers. During 2007-2009, offensive statistics averages from the entire NCAA went up in multiple categories. Batting average improved from .291 to .302. The average runs scored in a game went from 6.1 to 6.88. Earned run averages ballooned from 5.12 to 5.85. Not only is the speed of the ball coming off the bat threatening the integrity of the game, it's threatening the pitcher's life. With the ball traveling well over 100 mph, many coaches believe that a pitcher doesn't have enough time to react if the ball is hit straight at him.

"Everyone is fearing the day in college or high school baseball that something bad happens because the bats are too dangerous," Benedictine coach Sean Ryan said. "It's one of the things I worry about the most."

But high schools and youth leagues, where composite bats also are prevalent, aren't ready to take such decisive action. The National Federation of State High School Associations says it doesn't intend to ban composite bats. Tom O'Connor, a division director of the East Zone in the PONY League, predicts that USA Baseball, which governs youth leagues in America, will follow the NCAA's lead. But no one knows if that will happen any time soon.

"If I was coaching a high school team, everyone would be swinging a composite bat," said Chuck Bowen, baseball manager at Disco Sports. "You do get a competitive edge with a composite bat." Disco Sports already has its bats in stock for 2010. Manufacturers already have made the bats they plan to sell in 2011. Disco Sports has sold between 150-200 composite bats this year. At $400 a bat, if all that merchandise can't be sold, a substantial amount of money will be lost, probably on the manufacturer's end.

So, what should the bottom line be? Better numbers for players, teams and manufactures or safer playing conditions while safeguarding the integrity of the game? For me it is a no-brainier....protect the game and those who play it.