Sep 10, 2008 3:56 pm US/Pacific
Chicago Proposal Would Ban Metal Bats For Youths
Not All Agree On Whether They're More Dangerous Than Wooden Bats
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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New York City banned metal bats in 2007, and now the Chicago City Council is considering a similar measure.
CBS
A proposed city ordinance would forbid the use of metal bats in youth baseball leagues, on claims they are a danger to young players on the field.
Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) introduced an ordinance at the City Council meeting Wednesday, prompted by the recent injury of a suburban teenager.
Some parents and players in the Chicago area have been hoping for a ban for, saying metal bats are dangerous because they launch the ball faster than wooden bats.
In Chicago's Public League's championship game the majority of players used metal bats.
They're a favorite because they make the ball go 20 percent faster then wooden bats.
But that speed can be dangerous. Last April, Christina Russo's 14-year-old son, Tony, was seriously injured by a line ball flying off a metal bat.
"The ball came so fast it was physically impossible for anyone to catch the ball," Russo said. "It shattered his face, pushed his nose."
Tony's injury is the catalyst for Ald. Fioretti's ordinance to ban metal bats in Chicago.
"This is an issue where children are harmed," Fioretti said.
The ordinance calls for a ban on metal bats for youth who play on teams sponsored by the Chicago Park District or the Chicago Public Schools.
But coach Chris Cassidy and his players take issue with a ban. They point to a study by the Illinois High School association. After tracking 400 games, the organization concluded that the difference in the number of injuries between metal and wooded bats is insignificant.
"That's the risk you take. In the pros they use wood bats and guys get hit all the time and get injured," said baseball player Adeniji Bolden.
Another concern among city baseball players is competition and the fear they could lose out.
Cassidy says the concern is that suburban players who use metal bats could be more attractive to college coaches.
"My guys are hitting 200 with wood bats. Suburban kids are hitting 350 with aluminum bats. Who are the college coaches going to go look at?" Cassidy said.
Metal or wooden, it could be weeks before the ban is debated before the full city council.
The New York City school system enacted a similar ban last year.
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