Information About Baseball Bats

Bats are cylindrical clubs used in the offensive facet of the game of baseball. The object of the game is to strike the ball thrown by the pitcher in order to get on base. Bats have evolved as much as the game itself throughout the years and remain a key facet of American sporting culture to this day.

  1. Early Bats

    • During baseball's infancy, there were no restrictions on the size or shape of bats, which were constructed exclusively of ash wood. Each player was responsible for supplying his own bat. In 1859, the Professional National Association of Baseball Players Governing Committee placed the first restrictions on bat size for the professional game, limiting barrel diameter at 2 1/2 inches. Ten years later, the same committee placed a restriction on the length of bats at 42 inches. These restrictions remain in place in the modern game.

    Metal Bats

    • The sports manufacturing company Easton created the first metal bats for consumer sale in 1970, although variations on the concept had existed for some time. Metal bats were cheaper to produce and easier for young players to swing given their lighter weight, and quickly became popular at youth, scholastic and collegiate levels of the game.

    Bats Today

    • Today's bats are available in many different materials. Bats made from maple trees have largely supplanted those made from ash at the professional level, because of the wood's improvements in the flight and distance of struck balls. Metal bats have given way to a number of different synthetic materials, from hybridized metal alloys and graphite. Softball bats are specially tailored for use in the game's sister sport.

    Other Bats

    • Bats are available in all shapes and sizes. Large plastic bats are often used to teach children the game of baseball. Miniature wooden "souvenir" bats and novelty sized inflatable bats emblazoned with team logos are popular among fans. Thin, yellow plastic "Wiffle" bats are staples in the American suburbs.

    Collector's Items

    • Bats have become increasingly popular as collector's items. Game-used bats by famous players can sell for thousands of dollars. Collector's bats emblazoned with the likeness of professional players and subsequently autographed by one or more players also fetch large sums. A bat signed by famous New York Yankees player Babe Ruth sells for well over $100,000.

    Warning

    • Bats can cause tremendous injury if improperly used. Make sure no one is within striking distance when swinging a bat--even if it is a novelty bat--because all bats can cause injury. When playing baseball, ensure that all safety equipment is used and necessary precautions are taken to avoid player injury.