High School Baseball Takes One Step Closer to Wooden Bats

First, a lesson on baseball bats.

In layman’s terms, Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution is the bounce-back or trampoline effect the bat’s surface has when the ball makes contact with it. Imagine dropping a tennis ball onto a tennis racket. It bounces much higher that it would if it were bounced off the ground. The different aluminum alloys that are used in making bats have this bounce-back or trampoline effect.

The result? Hitters get better drive and lift on the ball than they would with a wooden bat.

In an effort to more closely emulate wooden bats, the Florida High School Athletic Association has approved a measure to only allow bats approved by the BBCOR process. The move also eliminates a banned process called "rolling."

What is rolling?

Aluminum bats perform differently with age. The older a bat gets, the more balls that get bounced off it, the more flexible its aluminum becomes. Thus, the time just before a bat’s failure is its most flexible time.

Some teams were “rolling” their bats to make them more flexible, or placing the bat between two nylon or hard rubber rollers and rolling it. This artificially ages the bat, and boosts its trampoline effect.

“Rolling was a big problem, not just at the high school level but the collegiate level also,” said Rob Francis, St. Pete College’s Baseball Head Coach.

The practice of “rolling” is banned by both the NCAA and the FHSAA. Starting in 2012, all aluminum and composite bats must meet the BBCOR specifications.

The BBCOR process not only measures the speed of the ball coming off but the “bounciness” of the ball and bat.

The older process called BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) only measured the speed of the ball coming off the bat and didn't account for the compression or lack thereof that was happening with older aluminum or composite bats.

When a baseball makes contact with a bat, it compresses, squishes down and much of the energy is dispersed. With an older aluminum bat, the flex in the aluminum wall allows for less compression of the baseball itself. Thus, much of the energy is sent right back into the ball.

This issue also brings up a safety concern.

With the ball sling-shotting off the bat in such a way, it puts infielders, especially the pitcher, under fire. The new BBCOR regulations are designed to make the game safer.

What does this mean for the game?

First, it will mean less homeruns.

In addition, the change will no doubt bring the runs/per game totals down. According to SPC Coach Rob Francis, the runs per game average in the NCAA this year dropped from 6.23 to 5.5. Doubles and triples will turn into base hits, tagging up will be a bit more difficult.

The baseball world is decidedly split on the issue. Hitters obviously prefer the older aluminum bats.

Gaither High School baseball Head Coach Frank Permuy is excited about the prospect.

"Small ball is definitely going to be used much more next year. I like small ball,  and we will all adapt to the situations as needed."

There are several key differences from the older BESR bats. Some say that the sweet spots are smaller, mis-hits are more noticeable, and it even sounds different.

SPC Assistant Coach Ryan Beckman said that “it allows pitchers to throw their fastball with confidence”.

With fewer long balls and lower velocity hits, the game will shift to more of a “small-ball” game. Base running, speed and defense will be earmarks of prep baseball next year.

“It’s making us re-evaluate how our rosters are made up,” said Francis.

Loading up a roster with a lot of power hitters is not going to pay the dividends it once did. Coaches will be looking for more complete players over power-hitters and there will be fewer power hitters to go around.

“It’s really going to separate kids that can hit and kids that can’t hit,” Francis continued.

“Kids at the top of the order are going to get their hits but you’re going to see a lot more bunts and hit-and-run situations with the bottom of the order,” said Beckman.

A great many coaches at the high school level will welcome the change. Base-running and fundamentals are focuses at the prep level.

“Bomb squad coaches won’t like it, it’s great if you love defense,” said Francis.

Another anticipated result of the change is to more closely emulate bat composition at the pro level.

Many coaches are experimenting with wooden bats over the summer.

"We are playing with wooden bats in our summer Legion program.  This should get us ready for the upcoming season," said Frank Permuy.

So, why not just go to wooden bats across the board?

Cost.

Major League teams shell out millions of dollars in salary every year. Even some of the larger NCAA programs wouldn’t have a problem buying wooden bats. However, the smaller colleges and high schools would be at a severe disadvantage. While wooden bats are cheaper to make, they last only a fraction as long.

A decent BBCOR bat run $150 to $300 and probably last for years. While a $50 or $60 dollar wooden bat, and that’s on the cheap end, might last you one at-bat before it splinters into firewood.

In the meantime, local coaches are preparing for what lies ahead on the baseball field.

Said Francis: “It will change the way amateur baseball is played."