We can argue about whether or not aluminum bats are good for the game of baseball or softball – but is it really a matter for legislation?

The New York City Council passed a bill today banning the use of metal bats in high school baseball games, securing enough votes to override a potential veto by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and setting up a possible legal challenge from the metal bat industry.

Industry officials, who opposed the bill, said they believed the council was the first legislative body in the nation to pass such a measure. It also marks a long-sought victory for the billÂ’s original sponsor, James S. Oddo, a Staten Island Republican who began pushing for a ban that would have included Little League and independent leagues more than six years ago against intense opposition led by bat manufacturers. Mr. Oddo later narrowed his bill to draw broader council support.

“I know this is not the most pressing issue on the minds of New Yorkers,” Mr. Oddo said shortly before the vote, “but I really believe in this bill. There is risk in all sports, and there is risk in baseball playing with a wooden bat, but when the risk becomes unreasonable, people have to act.”

While this legislation covers only high schools, we all know that, based upon Mr. Oddo’s own words, that he is going to attempt to extend this ban into the private sector as well. And remember – when metal bats are outlawed, only outlaws will have metal bats.

It is easy to get worked up over the sad examples given in this story about individuals injured by balls hit with metal bats, but these cases are few and far between – and can be matched by stories about injuries from balls hit by wooden bats. Similarly, injuries happen regularly from balls thrown by pitchers. Maybe Mr. Oddo will mandate that all future games be played with plastic bats and waffle balls hit from batting tees.

Posted by: Greg at 04:40 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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