Why Does Major League Baseball Use Wooden Bats?

Have you ever noticed that Major League Baseball players exclusively swing wooden bats? If you were to watch any little league game today, chances are the players would be using aluminum bats. There are a handful of reasons why wooden bats come into play once you make the jump from the little leagues to the big leagues.

Weight

Aluminum bats would be much too light for Major League Baseball. If bats were lighter, players would be able to swing with a greater force than they are able to with wooden bats, making it easier for professional players to hit a pitch.

Material

Wooden bats are typically made of ash or maple, requiring the hitter to have more skill to drive a ball, as compared to the aluminum bats found in non-professional leagues.

Safety

Major League Baseball uses wooden bats to protect the players. Other types of bats would present too much risk to the players on defense due to their enhanced ability to hit the ball hard. Major league players do not need any help.

Affordability

Even though baseball players go through several bats in a season, wooden bats are less expensive, and more cost effective than other types of bats.

Continuity

Baseball is considered a favorite past-time by many people. The sport is known for keeping to its traditions, such as relying on human umpires to call balls and strikes when technology could easily take the umpire's place. Wooden bats have been used since the 1800s and are a tradition in themselves that baseball will not soon let go.

References

• D-Bat, Inc. - Maple & Ash Baseball Bats
• Choosing a Baseball Bat