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{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}} {{refimprove|date=November 2024}}
{{short description|Club used for baseball, or softball}}
]'s traveling exhibit "Baseball As America." From left to right: bat used by ] to hit his 60th home run during the 1927 season, bat used by ] to hit his 61st home run during the 1961 season, bat used by ] to hit his 70th home run during the 1998 season, and the bat used by ] for his 66th home run during the same season.]]
]'s traveling exhibit "Baseball As America". From left to right: bat used by ] to hit his 60th home run during the 1927 season, bat used by ] to hit his 61st home run during the 1961 season, bat used by ] to hit his 70th home run during the 1998 season, and the bat used by ] for his 66th home run during the same season.]]
A '''baseball bat''' is a smooth wooden or metal rod used in the game of ] to hit the ] after the ball is thrown by the ]. It is no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1067 mm) in length. It typically weighs no more than 36 ounces (1 kg). The ] uses the bat two-handed to try to hit a pitched ball ] so that he may become a ], advance bases, and ultimately score a ] or help preceding runners to score.


A '''baseball bat''' is a smooth wooden or metal ] used in the sport of ] to hit the ] after it is thrown by the ]. By regulation it may be no more than {{convert|2.61|in|cm}} in diameter at the thickest part and no more than {{convert|42|in|m|3}} in length.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB Bat rules and Reg. |url=https://lacassebats.com/pages/mlb-bat-rules-and-reg |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=LaCasse Bats |language=en}}</ref> Although historically bats approaching {{convert|3|lb}} were swung,<ref name="Bleacher">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/589660-size-matters-top-10-biggest-in-mlb#/articles/589660-size-matters-top-10-biggest-in-mlb/page/2|title=Size Matters: Top 10 "Biggest" In MLB History|author=Jenn Zambri|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> today bats of {{convert|33|oz|kg}} are common, topping out at {{convert|34|to|36|oz|kg}}.<ref name="Bleacher"/>
==Terminology==
Although using a stick to hit a ball is a somewhat simple concept, the bat is a complex object. It is carved or constructed very carefully to allow for a quick balanced swing, while providing power. The bat is divided into several regions. The "barrel" is the thick part of the bat, where the bat is meant to hit the ball. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball with, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the "sweet spot". The end of the barrel is not part of the sweet spot, and is simply called the tip or end of the bat. The barrel narrows down, and becomes the "handle". The handle is very thin, so that batters can comfortably set the bat in their fingers. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or cloth "grip". Finally, next to the handle is the "knob" of the bat, a wider piece that keeps the bat from sliding out of a batter's hands.


==Design==
"Lumber" is a sometimes-used slang term for a bat, especially when wielded by a particularly good batter.
A baseball bat is divided into several regions. The "barrel" is the thick part of the bat, where it is meant to hit the ball. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the "]." The end of the barrel is called the "top," "end," or "cap" of the bat. Opposite the cap, the barrel narrows until it meets the "handle," which is comparatively thin, so that batters can comfortably grip the bat in their hands. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or tape "grip". Finally, below the handle is the "knob" of the bat, a wider piece that keeps the bat from slipping from a batter's hands.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}


"Lumber" is an often-used slang term for a bat, especially when wielded by a particularly able batter.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
== Manufacturing process ==
A mill worker places each split of wood onto an automatic lathe that shaves the rough edges off as it turns the wood. The billets, as they are now called, are inspected again for straightness of grain. The billets are stacked and strapped together into six-sided bundles. Workers paint the ends with a protective preservative to keep the wood from fraying or rotting. The bundled billets are then trucked to the lumberyard of the bat manufacturer.


The "bat drop" of a bat is its weight, in ounces, minus its length, in inches. For example, a 30-ounce, 33-inch-long bat has a bat drop of minus 3 (30 &minus; 33 = &minus;3). Larger bat drops help to increase swing speed, due to less mass per unit length; smaller drops create more power, due to greater momentum to transfer to the ball.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
The billets that arrive at the lumberyard are considered "green" wood because they still contain sap and gum. In order to strengthen the wood, the sap and gum must be removed by an air-drying process called "seasoning." To achieve the proper seasoning, the billets are simply stacked in the yard for a period of six months to two years.


== History ==
When the billets have dried completely, they are weighed and inspected for quality. A worker places each billet on an automatic lathe and shapes it into a rough baseball bat shape with a narrowed neck. The bat forms are sanded, inspected once more, and then sorted according to weight.
The bat's form has become more refined over time. In the mid-19th century, baseball batters were known to shape or ] their own bats by hand, which resulted in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and weights. For example, there were flat bats, round bats, short bats, and fat bats. Earlier bats were known to be much heavier and larger than today's regulated ones. During the 19th century, many shapes were experimented with, as well as handle designs. Today, bats are much more uniform in design.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
The bat manufacturer keeps a model of each bat made, typically identified by the baseball player who initially ordered it. When a player or team places an order, the order may look like this: six Johnny Bench models, ten Hank Aarons, four Mickey Mantles.


=== Innovations ===
The plant workers who create the final product are called bat turners. They are highly skilled artisans who have been specially trained for the intricate work. When an order is placed, the bat turner selects a billet from the storage bin that fits the called-for weight and length. The billet is placed on a lathe. The model bat is placed on a rack above and behind the lathe.
]
The bat turner revolves the billet slowly on the lathe, sanding and shaving it to an exact replica of the model. Using calipers, the bat turner measures the billet every 1-2 inches (2.54-5 cm) and weighs it repeatedly until it is perfect.
* On June 17, 1890, Emile Kinst patented the ball-bat, or banana bat. The bat is shaped with a curve, hence the name banana bat. The creator of the bat, Kinst wrote: "The object of my invention is to provide a ball-bat which shall produce a rotary or spinning motion of the ball in its flight to a higher degree than is possible with any present known form of ball-bat, and thus to make it more difficult to catch the ball, or if caught, to hold it, and thus further to modify the conditions of the game".
* The mushroom bat, made in 1906 by ]. With baseball bats being larger in the 1900s the Spalding company designed a larger bat with a mushroom-shaped knob on the handle. This enabled the batter to get a better distribution of weight over the entire length of the bat.
* The Wright & Ditson Lajoie baseball bat. This bat had a normal size barrel but had two knobs on the handle. The lowest knob was at the bottom of the handle and the other knob was roughly two inches above the lowest knob. This was designed to have better spacing between the hands due to the knob being in the middle of the grip. This also gave batters an advantage when they choked up on the bat, because the second knob provided a better grip with in mushroom shaped handle.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
* In 1990, Bruce Leinert came up with the idea of putting an ] handle on a baseball bat. He filed a patent application for the 'Axe Bat' in 2007 and the bat started being used in the college and pro ranks over the following years. In 2012, the ] Pioneers baseball team won the ] using axe-handled bats.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beckham |first1=Jeff |title=Baseball bat with an axe handle brings more power, fewer injuries |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/axe-bat/ |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=Wired.com |date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> Several ] players have adopted the bat handle including ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McAuley |first1=Grant |title=Axe handle bat new weapon of choice for Braves' Swanson |url=https://929thegame.radio.com/articles/axe-handle-bat-new-weapon-choice-braves-swanson |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=The Game 92.9 |date=May 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Why the Axe Bat, Dustin Pedroia may help make the round handle obsolete |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-dustin-pedroia-uses-the-axe-bat--which-may-make-the-round-handle-obsolete-013113798.html |access-date=July 31, 2018 |work=Yahoo Sports |date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>


== Materials and manufacture ==
The bat is branded with the company trademark and the signature of the player associated with the model. The trademark is placed one-quarter of a turn from the sweet spot (the ideal spot where the ball should strike the bat). If the order calls for staining, the bat is dipped into a staining vat. All of the bats are then varnished, packed into cartons, and shipped to the player or team.
Baseball bats are made of either hardwood or a metal alloy (typically aluminum). Most wooden bats are made from ]; other woods include ], ], and ]. Hickory has fallen into disfavor over its greater weight, which slows down bat speed, while maple bats gained popularity<ref name="SciAm1">{{cite web|last1=Patterson|first1=Brittany|title=Baseball Bats Threatened by Invasive Beetle|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/baseball-bats-threatened-by-invasive-beetle/|website=Scientific American|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref> following the introduction of the first major league sanctioned model in 1997. The first player to use one was ] of the ].<ref name="Canadian Sports Magazine 2008, p. 8">''Canadian Sports Magazine'', Vol. 2, No. 3, August 2008, p. 8, (Publication Mail Agreement #40993003, Oakville, ON)</ref> ] used maple bats the seasons he broke baseball's single-season home run record in 2001, and the career home run record in 2007.<ref name="Canadian Sports Magazine 2008, p. 8"/> In 2010, the increased tendency of maple bats to shatter caused Major League Baseball to examine their use, banning some models in minor league play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/09/20/129985928/-the-well-is-effectively-dead?print=1|title=The Well Is Effectively Dead|date=20 September 2010|work=NPR.org|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = MLB bans use of many maple bats in minor leagues; safety concerns cited | date = 11 September 2012 | url = http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-03-01/apnewsbreak-many-maple-bats-get-banned-minors | work = ] | access-date = 14 July 2017 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120911101218/http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-03-01/apnewsbreak-many-maple-bats-get-banned-minors | archive-date = 11 September 2012 }}</ref>


Manufacturers position each bat's label over the mechanically weaker side of the wood.<ref name="woodbat.org"/>
== Testing quality ==
To reduce chance of fracture,<ref name="woodbat.org"/> and maybe deliver more energy to the ball,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-fever.com/archive/index.php/t-24217.html|title=Wood bats - on which "side" should the ball's impact be?|work=baseball-fever.com|access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref> a bat is intended to be held so the label faces sky or ground when it strikes the ball during a horizontal swing.<ref name="woodbat.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.woodbat.org/|title=Wood science and how it relates to wooden baseball bats|work=woodbat.org|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705174609/https://www.woodbat.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In this orientation, the bat is considered stiffer and less likely to break.<ref name="mlb.mlb.com">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708319&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp|title=Safety tests for maple bats mandated|work=Major League Baseball|access-date=14 July 2017|archive-date=30 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730053611/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708319&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Different types of wood will fracture differently.<ref name=hitting>{{cite web|url=http://woodbat.blogspot.com/2009/03/maple-bats-to-be-regulated-and-studied.html|title=Hitting with Wood|work=woodbat.blogspot.com|date=3 March 2009|access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref> For bats made of ], labels will generally be where the grain spacing is widest. For ] bats they will usually be positioned where grain is tightest.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
The structural integrity of the baseball bats are monitored through repetitive impact testing. Some factories have compressed-air cannons that shoot baseballs at precise points on the bat. High-speed cameras record the impact while accelerometers measure the velocity. In other plants, robotic arms whack the balls off over-sized golf tees. Inspectors collect data on the frequency of bending and how the balls travel off the bat.
Baseball Bat: http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/baseball-bat


Maple bats in particular were once known (circa 2008) to potentially shatter in a way that resulted in many sharp edges, sometimes creating more dangerous projectiles when {{nowrap|breaking.<ref name="woodbat.org"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92222323|title=Maple, Ash Baseball Bats May Strike Out|date=4 July 2008|work=NPR.org|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>}} Maple bat manufacture evolved significantly, in cooperation with ], paying special attention to grain slope, and including an ink spot test to confirm safest wood grain orientation.<ref name="mlb.mlb.com"/>


Based on consistent anecdotal reports of sales at sporting goods stores, and because of the ] epidemic, maple appears to be displacing ash as most popular new baseball bat material in the United States. Next and rising in popularity is ], which has more isotropic fine grain, great strength, and less weight for a bat of any given size.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}


Within league standards there is ample latitude for individual variation, many batters settling on their own bat profile, or one used by a successful batter. Formerly, bats were hand-turned from a template with precise calibration points; today they are machine-turned to a fixed metal template. Historically significant templates may be kept in a bat manufacturers' vault; for example, ]'s template, which became popular among major-league players, is&nbsp;''R43'' in the ] archives.<ref name=brchthnh>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-PVLAAAAIBAJ&pg=5511%2C6126923 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Babe Ruth changed design of bats to thinner handle |date=March 11, 1979 |page=C5}}</ref><!--{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}--> Ruth favored a thinner handle than was the norm in the 1920s, and his success caused most to&nbsp;follow.<ref name=brchthnh/> Ruth used an unusually large bat, which he reduced in size incrementally during his career. In 1920 he was using a 40-inch, 54-ounce bat, made of ash, with a slender handle.<ref>"Playing The Game, My Early Years in Baseball." Babe Ruth, 1920, United News, syndicated in numerous newspapers including the Atlanta Constitution. Republished 2011 Dover Publications, Mineola, NY. p. 29 in this book.</ref> In 1928 he wrote, "A few seasons ago I used a 54 ounce bat, long and with the weight well at the end. Now I'm using a 46 ounce club--and each season when I have a new set of bats made, I have an addition ounce taken off."<ref>"Babe Ruth's Own Book Of Baseball," George Herman Ruth, 1928, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY. p. 171.</ref>


Once the basic bat has been turned, it has the manufacturer's name, the serial number, and often the signature of the player endorsing it branded into it opposite the wood's best side. ] was the first player to endorse and sign a bat. Next, most bats are given a rounded head, but some 30%{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} of players prefer a "cup-balanced" head, in which a cup-shaped recess is made in the head, introduced to the major leagues in the early 1970s by ];<ref name=brchthnh/> this lightens the bat and moves its center of gravity toward the handle. Finally, the bat is stained in one of several standard colors, including natural, red, black, and two-tone blue and white.{{fact|date=November 2024}}


== Environmental threat to ash wood ==
==Baseball bat regulations==
The ], an exotic beetle imported accidentally from Asia, has killed more than 50 million ] trees in the eastern United States and in 2017 threatened groves in ]'s ] that are used to make baseball {{nowrap|bats.<ref name="NPRBATS">{{cite news|last1=Mann|first1=Brian|title=A Beetle May Soon Strike Out Baseball's Famous Ash Bats|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/03/488432537/a-beetle-may-soon-strike-out-baseballs-famous-ash-bats|newspaper=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref>}}
In ] baseball, only wooden bats are permitted, and they are not allowed to be ]—that is, filled with an alien substance such as cork which reduces the weight, and thus increasing bat speed, without greatly reducing hitting power. Recent experiments, such as one done on the television show ], have shown that corking reduces the hitting power of a bat{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. In amateur baseball, both wood and metal alloy bats are generally permitted. Recently there have been increasing numbers of "wooden bat leagues" and the trend back to wood seems to be accelerating on the grounds of safety concerns. Aesthetically, wooden bats are generally agreed to be superior to metal bats, both because of their more traditional appearance and because a ball hit with a wooden bat makes a loud "crack" sound, similar to a stone hitting a wooden fencepost while metal alloy bats have a "ping" sound, similar to the sound of a stone hitting an aluminum fencepost.


==Regulations==
Most wooden bats are made from ]. Traditionally, ash trees from Pennsylvania and upstate New York are used to make baseball bats. The ash is valued for its strength, flexibility, and light weight. The best trees are those that grow in dense clusters where they are protected from the wind and forced to grow straight up towards the sunlight. Forty to fifty years of growth is required to bring an ash tree to the preferred trunk diameter of 14-16 inches (36-41 cm). Each tree yields approximately 60 bats. Other natural materials used include ], ], and ]. Hickory has fallen into disfavor because it is much heavier than other woods, while maple bats have become more popular recently. This ascent in popularity followed the introduction of the first major league sanctioned maple baseball bat in 1997, by craftsman Sam Holman, founder of Sam Bat.
In the American ], Rule 1.10(a) states:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2010/official_rules/2010_OfficialBaseballRules.pdf | title = Official Baseball Rules | access-date = 2012-05-07 | publisher = Major League Baseball}}</ref>
<blockquote>The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.</blockquote>


Bats are not allowed to be hollowed or ]—that is, filled with an alien substance such as ] which reduces the weight. This corking is thought to increase bat speed without greatly reducing hitting power, though this idea was challenged as unlikely on the ] series '']''.<ref>]</ref>
When a tree has reached the proper height and width, a forester marks it with spray paint. A log cutter then uses a chain saw to bring down the tree. The top branches are removed and left in the forest. The tree trunks are sawed into 10-16-foot (3-5 m) lengths, loaded on a truck, and taken to the mill. At the mill, the logs are inspected for knots and uneven grains. Only half of what is cut in the forest is ultimately used to manufacture baseball bats. The logs that make the grade are rolled to a hydraulic wedge that cuts them into 40-inch (101 cm) splits.


Both wooden and metal alloy (generally aluminum) bats are generally permitted in amateur baseball. Metal alloy bats are generally regarded as being capable of hitting a ball faster and farther with the same power. However, increasing numbers of "wooden bat leagues" have emerged in recent years, reflecting a trend back to wood over safety concerns and, in the case of ] wood-bat leagues, to better prepare players for the professional leagues that require wood bats. Metal alloy bats can send a ball towards an unprotected pitcher's head up to {{convert|60|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} away at a velocity far too high for the pitcher to get out of the way in time. Some amateur baseball organizations enforce bat manufacturing and testing standards which attempt to limit maximum ball speed for wood and non-wood bats.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats/besr/2006_certification_protocol.pdf|title=National Collegiate Athletic Association Standard for Testing Baseball Bat Performance|work=acs.psu.edu|date=October 30, 2006|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210051151/http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=38459|date=10 December 2008 }}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524002833/http://www.nfhs.org/web/2003/06/baseball_rules_committee_focuses_on_clarification_of_bat_standar.aspx|date=24 May 2008 }}</ref>
Within the standards set by the various leagues, there is ample latitude for individual variation, and many batters settle on an individual bat profile, or occasionally adopt a profile used by another batter. Formerly, bats were hand-carved to a template obtained from a fixed number of calibration points; today, they are machine-turned to a precise metal template: these templates are kept in the bat manufacturers' vaults; for example, ]'s template, which became understandably popular among major-league players, is ''R43'' in the ] archives. Once the basic bat has been turned, it is then branded by burning, with the manufacturer's name, the serial number, and often the signature of the player for whom it was made: the brand is applied to the hard side of the bat, allowing the batter visual control of the hardness of the surface hitting the ball; the burn residue is then sanded off. (The first player to endorse and sign a bat was ].) The next step is the finishing of the head: bats are more often given a rounded head, but some 30% of players prefer a "cup-balanced" head, in which a cup-shaped recess is made in the head; this lightens the bat and moves its center of gravity toward the handle. Finally, the bat is stained in one of seven standard colors, which include natural white, red stain, black, and a two-tone blue and white stain.


In ] in the United States:
In ] baseball in the ], the bat is not allowed to be more than 2&nbsp;5/8 inches (67&nbsp;mm) in diameter. The difference between inches of length and ounces of weight must be no more than 3. For example, a 34‑inch (863.6‑mm) bat must weigh at least 31&nbsp;ounces (880&nbsp;g). The bat in high school may consist of any safe, solid, uniform material; the ] rules state only "wood or non-wood" material.
* The bat is not permitted to be more than {{convert|2+5/8|in|mm}} in diameter in proximity to width and length.
* Its "drop" (inches of length minus ounces of weight) must be no more than 3: for example, a 34-inch (863.6‑mm) bat must weigh at least {{convert|31|oz|g}}.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706020131/http://www.nchsaa.org/intranet/downloadManagerControl.php?mode=getFile&elementID=4047&type=5&atomID=7181 |date=July 6, 2010 }}</ref>
* The bat may consist of any safe solid uniform material; the ] rules state only "wood or non-wood" material.
* To be legally used in a game, an aluminum bat has to be a BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) bat because it has been determined that a pitcher loses the ability to protect himself when this ratio is exceeded.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}


In some 12-year-old-and-under youth leagues (such as ] Baseball), the bat may not be more than 2&nbsp;1/4 inches (57&nbsp;mm) in diameter. However in many other leagues (like ], and Cal Ripken League Baseball), the bat may not be more than 2&nbsp;3/4 inches (70&nbsp;mm) in diameter. In some 12-year-old-and-under youth leagues (such as ] baseball), the bat may not be more than {{convert|2+1/4|in|mm}} in diameter.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926002453/http://www.littleleague.org/Learn_More/rules/2007rulechanges.htm |date=September 26, 2008 }}</ref> However, in many other leagues (like ], and Cal Ripken League Baseball), the bat may not be more than {{convert|2+3/4|in|mm}} in diameter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/10758/docs/rulebooks/2017%20pony%20baseball%20rulebook%20online.pdf|title=2017 Rules and Regulations for PONY Baseball|work=bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com|access-date=July 14, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


There are limitations to how much and where a baseball player may apply ] to a baseball bat. According to Rule 1.10(c) of the Major League Baseball Rulebook, it is not allowed more than 18&nbsp;inches up from the bottom handle. An infamous example of the rule in execution is the ] on July 24, 1983. Rules 1.10 and 6.06 were later changed to reflect the intent of Major League Baseball, as exemplified by the league president's ruling. Rule 1.10 now only requires that the bat be removed from the game if discovered after being used in a game; it no longer necessitates any change to the results of any play which may have taken place.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
==Fungo bat==
A fungo bat is specially designed bat used by baseball and softball coaches for practice purposes. The bat is not designed to hit thrown or pitched balls, rather it is designed to hit balls tossed up in the air. Typical fungo bats are 35–37 inches long and weigh 17–22 ounces. Coaches hit many balls during fielding practice and the weight and length allow for the coach to hit balls repeatedly with high accuracy.


Rule 6.06 refers only to bats that are "altered or tampered with in such a way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes, bats that are filled, flat-surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with a substance such as paraffin, wax, etc." It no longer makes any mention of an "illegally batted ball". In 2001, MLB approved the use of ] in major and minor league games as an alternative to pine tar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heiss Grodin |first=Dana |title=Equipment and product guide |date=March 7, 2001 |newspaper=USA Today |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2001-03-07/2001-03-07-equipment.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091710/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2001-03-07/2001-03-07-equipment.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Sandra L. |title=For now, the mansion stands |date=December 27, 2001 |newspaper=] |page=1A |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yr9eAAAAIBAJ&dq=gorilla-gold&pg=4605%2C3200981 |access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>
==Manufacturers==
A number of manufacturers construct a wide variety of baseball bats varying in size, length, style, and composition.


==Game used bats== ==Care and maintenance==
] game-used and autographed baseball bat]]
] baseball bats used by ] players. Many historic game used bats are on display at the ] in ], including ]'s 61st ] game used bat and ]'s 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th, 69th, and 70th ] game used bat. They have become a very popular ] for sports ].
Players can be very particular about their bats. ] cleaned his bats with alcohol every night and periodically took them to the post office to weigh them. "Bats pick up condensation and dirt lying around on the ground," he wrote, "They can gain an ounce or more in a surprisingly short time." ] also took great care that his bats did not accumulate moisture and thus gain weight: he stored his bats in humidors, one in the club house and another, a portable one, for the road. ] fought moisture by storing his bats in a box full of sawdust in the warmest part of his house. "The sawdust acts as a buffer between the bats and the environment," he explained, "absorbing any moisture before it can seep into the wood."<ref name="www.baseballexplained.com">Baseball Explained by Phillip Mahony, McFarland Books, 2014. See {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813034018/http://www.baseballexplained.com/ |date=2014-08-13 }}</ref>


Many players "]" their bats, meaning that before games, they rub their bats repeatedly with a hard object, believing this closes the pores on the wood and hardens the bat. Animal bones are a popular boning material, but rolling pins, soda bottles and the edge of a porcelain sink have also been used. ] had his own way of hardening his bats: he soaked them in a tub of motor oil in his basement then hung them up to dry.<ref name="www.baseballexplained.com"/>
==Used as a weapon==
Baseball bats may be also used as a dangerous ]: see ]. In some countries where baseball is not popular, they are associated mostly with ] in the public mind {{Fact|date=October 2007}}. In fact, in Poland, carrying a baseball bat without a license is illegal. This perception is portrayed in the novel '']'' when the character Renton dubiously wonders how many ] buy baseball bats with sports in mind. Many ]s such as ], '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and the ] also feature baseball bat weapons.


==Fungo bat==
The "garage cinema" films of Scott Nollen and Bart Aikens feature baseball bat violence as a motif. The short film "The Raven" (1988), as well as the eight films in "The Plan Series" (1986-2002), which includes politically motivated bat murders ("Estes Pevley" and "Ronald Raygun" are among the wielders), are notable examples. In 1987, Nollen, together with fellow musicians Todd Jacobsen and John Jensen, founded the avant-garde jazz-rock band "Baseball Bat," whose albums and videos include "Hell Rode in on a Coaster Wagon," "Pancho Villa Stole Grandma's Baseball Bat" and "Two Teeth for Thrack Won't Buy a Window for Lester."
] holding a fungo bat]]
A fungo bat is a specially designed bat used by baseball and softball coaches for practice. The ] of the word '']'' ({{IPAc-en|pron|ˈ|f|ʌ|ŋ|ɡ|oʊ}}) is uncertain, but the '']'' suggests it is derived from the ] ''fung'': "to pitch, toss, or fling".<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'' entry for "Fungo", http://www.oed.com/</ref> A fungo is longer and lighter than a regulation bat, with a smaller diameter. The bat is designed to hit balls tossed up in the air by the batter, not pitched balls.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baseballrampage.com/Baseball/Types/Baseball-Bats/153/Fungo-Bats.html |title=Fungo bats |publisher=baseballrampage.com |access-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415011634/https://www.baseballrampage.com/Baseball/Types/Baseball-Bats/153/Fungo-Bats.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Typical fungo bats are {{convert|35|to|37|in|cm}} long and weigh {{convert|17|to|22|oz|g}}. Coaches hit many balls during fielding practice, and the weight and length allow the coach to hit balls repeatedly with high accuracy. The small diameter also allows coaches to easily hit pop-ups to catchers and infielders along with ground balls due to better control of the barrel of the bat.{{fact|date=November 2024}}


== As a weapon ==
Famous ] ] once used a bat to murder a traitor, as depicted in the movie ]. In the movie ], mafia hood Frank Marino (]) uses an aluminum baseball bat and beats Nicky Santoro (]) (as ]) and his brother Dominick (]) (as ]) to death, with help from many other gangsters present.
Baseball bats are often used as weapons by civilians,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loyd |first=Linda |date=Sep 24, 1992 |title=Baseball Bats moving from recreation to 'instruments of crime' in U.S. Cities |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/09/24/baseball-bats-moving-from-recreation-to-instruments-of-crime-in-us-cities/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> criminals, protesters,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Brian |date=Aug 10, 2011 |title=Why Are They Using Baseball Bats Instead of Cricket Bats in the U.K. Riots? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2011/08/why-are-londoners-using-baseball-bats-instead-of-cricket-bats-in-the-riots.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=Slate}}</ref> and mobsters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE MOST COMMON WEAPONS OF THE MAFIA |url=https://www.nationalcrimesyndicate.com/the-most-common-weapons-of-the-mafia/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=National Crime Syndicate|date=23 November 2020 }}</ref> Factors that made the baseball bat a popular weapon include:

* '''Price:''' Baseball bats are cheaper to buy and easier to maintain than firearms or bladed weapons.
* '''Legality:''' Unlike firearms, bladed weapons, pepper spray, or stun guns, baseball bats are not considered a weapon by many jurisdictions due to being sporting equipment. However, some jurisdictions may ban carrying sporting equipment in public without good reason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Can a baseball bat be considered a weapon? |url=https://www.thebulldog.law/blog/2022/06/can-a-baseball-bat-be-considered-a-weapon/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=Severe Trial Counsel}}</ref>
* '''Ease of access:''' Baseball bats are freely available in stores such as ]s. They don't require a background check, license, or permit.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=February 24, 2007 |title=The baseball bat: a modern day cudgel |pmc=2658185 |last1=Lightbody |first1=C. J. |last2=MacIver |first2=C. |journal=Emergency Medicine Journal |volume=24 |issue=2 |page=112 |doi=10.1136/emj.2006.042929 |pmid=17251617 }}</ref>
* '''Ease of use:''' Baseball bats (like many other ]) only require the user to swing at the target in order for it to be effective.
* '''Diversity:''' Baseball bats come in various sizes from T-ball bats to full size bats. They can cater to the user's strength, size, and available storage places.{{fact|date=November 2024}}


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category}}
* - How baseball bats work, how bat performance is measured, differences between wood, metal, and composite bats
* —How baseball bats work, how bat performance is measured, differences between wood, metal, and composite bats
* - Making a Baseball Bat
* —Making a Baseball Bat
* . '']''. ], July 4, 2008.


] {{Baseball}}
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Latest revision as of 12:31, 2 January 2025

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Club used for baseball, or softball
Four historically significant baseball bats showcased in the National Baseball Hall of Fame's traveling exhibit "Baseball As America". From left to right: bat used by Babe Ruth to hit his 60th home run during the 1927 season, bat used by Roger Maris to hit his 61st home run during the 1961 season, bat used by Mark McGwire to hit his 70th home run during the 1998 season, and the bat used by Sammy Sosa for his 66th home run during the same season.

A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the sport of baseball to hit the ball after it is thrown by the pitcher. By regulation it may be no more than 2.61 inches (6.6 cm) in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1.067 m) in length. Although historically bats approaching 3 pounds (1.4 kg) were swung, today bats of 33 ounces (0.94 kg) are common, topping out at 34 to 36 ounces (0.96 to 1.02 kg).

Design

A baseball bat is divided into several regions. The "barrel" is the thick part of the bat, where it is meant to hit the ball. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the "sweet spot." The end of the barrel is called the "top," "end," or "cap" of the bat. Opposite the cap, the barrel narrows until it meets the "handle," which is comparatively thin, so that batters can comfortably grip the bat in their hands. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or tape "grip". Finally, below the handle is the "knob" of the bat, a wider piece that keeps the bat from slipping from a batter's hands.

"Lumber" is an often-used slang term for a bat, especially when wielded by a particularly able batter.

The "bat drop" of a bat is its weight, in ounces, minus its length, in inches. For example, a 30-ounce, 33-inch-long bat has a bat drop of minus 3 (30 − 33 = −3). Larger bat drops help to increase swing speed, due to less mass per unit length; smaller drops create more power, due to greater momentum to transfer to the ball.

History

The bat's form has become more refined over time. In the mid-19th century, baseball batters were known to shape or whittle their own bats by hand, which resulted in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and weights. For example, there were flat bats, round bats, short bats, and fat bats. Earlier bats were known to be much heavier and larger than today's regulated ones. During the 19th century, many shapes were experimented with, as well as handle designs. Today, bats are much more uniform in design.

Innovations

Patent No. 430,388 (June 17, 1890) awarded to Emile Kinst for an "improved ball-bat".
  • On June 17, 1890, Emile Kinst patented the ball-bat, or banana bat. The bat is shaped with a curve, hence the name banana bat. The creator of the bat, Kinst wrote: "The object of my invention is to provide a ball-bat which shall produce a rotary or spinning motion of the ball in its flight to a higher degree than is possible with any present known form of ball-bat, and thus to make it more difficult to catch the ball, or if caught, to hold it, and thus further to modify the conditions of the game".
  • The mushroom bat, made in 1906 by Spalding. With baseball bats being larger in the 1900s the Spalding company designed a larger bat with a mushroom-shaped knob on the handle. This enabled the batter to get a better distribution of weight over the entire length of the bat.
  • The Wright & Ditson Lajoie baseball bat. This bat had a normal size barrel but had two knobs on the handle. The lowest knob was at the bottom of the handle and the other knob was roughly two inches above the lowest knob. This was designed to have better spacing between the hands due to the knob being in the middle of the grip. This also gave batters an advantage when they choked up on the bat, because the second knob provided a better grip with in mushroom shaped handle.
  • In 1990, Bruce Leinert came up with the idea of putting an axe handle on a baseball bat. He filed a patent application for the 'Axe Bat' in 2007 and the bat started being used in the college and pro ranks over the following years. In 2012, the Marietta College Pioneers baseball team won the NCAA Division III World Series using axe-handled bats. Several Major League Baseball players have adopted the bat handle including Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, George Springer, Kurt Suzuki and Dansby Swanson.

Materials and manufacture

Baseball bats are made of either hardwood or a metal alloy (typically aluminum). Most wooden bats are made from ash; other woods include maple, hickory, and bamboo. Hickory has fallen into disfavor over its greater weight, which slows down bat speed, while maple bats gained popularity following the introduction of the first major league sanctioned model in 1997. The first player to use one was Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays. Barry Bonds used maple bats the seasons he broke baseball's single-season home run record in 2001, and the career home run record in 2007. In 2010, the increased tendency of maple bats to shatter caused Major League Baseball to examine their use, banning some models in minor league play.

Manufacturers position each bat's label over the mechanically weaker side of the wood. To reduce chance of fracture, and maybe deliver more energy to the ball, a bat is intended to be held so the label faces sky or ground when it strikes the ball during a horizontal swing. In this orientation, the bat is considered stiffer and less likely to break.

Different types of wood will fracture differently. For bats made of ash, labels will generally be where the grain spacing is widest. For maple bats they will usually be positioned where grain is tightest.

Maple bats in particular were once known (circa 2008) to potentially shatter in a way that resulted in many sharp edges, sometimes creating more dangerous projectiles when breaking. Maple bat manufacture evolved significantly, in cooperation with Major League Baseball, paying special attention to grain slope, and including an ink spot test to confirm safest wood grain orientation.

Based on consistent anecdotal reports of sales at sporting goods stores, and because of the Emerald ash borer epidemic, maple appears to be displacing ash as most popular new baseball bat material in the United States. Next and rising in popularity is bamboo, which has more isotropic fine grain, great strength, and less weight for a bat of any given size.

Within league standards there is ample latitude for individual variation, many batters settling on their own bat profile, or one used by a successful batter. Formerly, bats were hand-turned from a template with precise calibration points; today they are machine-turned to a fixed metal template. Historically significant templates may be kept in a bat manufacturers' vault; for example, Babe Ruth's template, which became popular among major-league players, is R43 in the Louisville Slugger archives. Ruth favored a thinner handle than was the norm in the 1920s, and his success caused most to follow. Ruth used an unusually large bat, which he reduced in size incrementally during his career. In 1920 he was using a 40-inch, 54-ounce bat, made of ash, with a slender handle. In 1928 he wrote, "A few seasons ago I used a 54 ounce bat, long and with the weight well at the end. Now I'm using a 46 ounce club--and each season when I have a new set of bats made, I have an addition ounce taken off."

Once the basic bat has been turned, it has the manufacturer's name, the serial number, and often the signature of the player endorsing it branded into it opposite the wood's best side. Honus Wagner was the first player to endorse and sign a bat. Next, most bats are given a rounded head, but some 30% of players prefer a "cup-balanced" head, in which a cup-shaped recess is made in the head, introduced to the major leagues in the early 1970s by José Cardenal; this lightens the bat and moves its center of gravity toward the handle. Finally, the bat is stained in one of several standard colors, including natural, red, black, and two-tone blue and white.

Environmental threat to ash wood

The emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle imported accidentally from Asia, has killed more than 50 million white ash trees in the eastern United States and in 2017 threatened groves in New York's Adirondack Mountains that are used to make baseball bats.

Regulations

In the American major leagues, Rule 1.10(a) states:

The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.

Bats are not allowed to be hollowed or corked—that is, filled with an alien substance such as cork which reduces the weight. This corking is thought to increase bat speed without greatly reducing hitting power, though this idea was challenged as unlikely on the Discovery Channel series MythBusters.

Both wooden and metal alloy (generally aluminum) bats are generally permitted in amateur baseball. Metal alloy bats are generally regarded as being capable of hitting a ball faster and farther with the same power. However, increasing numbers of "wooden bat leagues" have emerged in recent years, reflecting a trend back to wood over safety concerns and, in the case of collegiate summer baseball wood-bat leagues, to better prepare players for the professional leagues that require wood bats. Metal alloy bats can send a ball towards an unprotected pitcher's head up to 60 ft 6 in (18.44 m) away at a velocity far too high for the pitcher to get out of the way in time. Some amateur baseball organizations enforce bat manufacturing and testing standards which attempt to limit maximum ball speed for wood and non-wood bats.

In high school baseball in the United States:

  • The bat is not permitted to be more than 2+5⁄8 inches (67 mm) in diameter in proximity to width and length.
  • Its "drop" (inches of length minus ounces of weight) must be no more than 3: for example, a 34-inch (863.6‑mm) bat must weigh at least 31 ounces (880 g).
  • The bat may consist of any safe solid uniform material; the National Federation of State High School Associations rules state only "wood or non-wood" material.
  • To be legally used in a game, an aluminum bat has to be a BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) bat because it has been determined that a pitcher loses the ability to protect himself when this ratio is exceeded.

In some 12-year-old-and-under youth leagues (such as Little League baseball), the bat may not be more than 2+1⁄4 inches (57 mm) in diameter. However, in many other leagues (like PONY League Baseball, and Cal Ripken League Baseball), the bat may not be more than 2+3⁄4 inches (70 mm) in diameter.

There are limitations to how much and where a baseball player may apply pine tar to a baseball bat. According to Rule 1.10(c) of the Major League Baseball Rulebook, it is not allowed more than 18 inches up from the bottom handle. An infamous example of the rule in execution is the Pine Tar Incident on July 24, 1983. Rules 1.10 and 6.06 were later changed to reflect the intent of Major League Baseball, as exemplified by the league president's ruling. Rule 1.10 now only requires that the bat be removed from the game if discovered after being used in a game; it no longer necessitates any change to the results of any play which may have taken place.

Rule 6.06 refers only to bats that are "altered or tampered with in such a way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball. This includes, bats that are filled, flat-surfaced, nailed, hollowed, grooved or covered with a substance such as paraffin, wax, etc." It no longer makes any mention of an "illegally batted ball". In 2001, MLB approved the use of Gorilla Gold Grip Enhancer in major and minor league games as an alternative to pine tar.

Care and maintenance

A Tony Gwynn game-used and autographed baseball bat

Players can be very particular about their bats. Ted Williams cleaned his bats with alcohol every night and periodically took them to the post office to weigh them. "Bats pick up condensation and dirt lying around on the ground," he wrote, "They can gain an ounce or more in a surprisingly short time." Ichiro Suzuki also took great care that his bats did not accumulate moisture and thus gain weight: he stored his bats in humidors, one in the club house and another, a portable one, for the road. Rod Carew fought moisture by storing his bats in a box full of sawdust in the warmest part of his house. "The sawdust acts as a buffer between the bats and the environment," he explained, "absorbing any moisture before it can seep into the wood."

Many players "bone" their bats, meaning that before games, they rub their bats repeatedly with a hard object, believing this closes the pores on the wood and hardens the bat. Animal bones are a popular boning material, but rolling pins, soda bottles and the edge of a porcelain sink have also been used. Pete Rose had his own way of hardening his bats: he soaked them in a tub of motor oil in his basement then hung them up to dry.

Fungo bat

Hiroshi Narahara holding a fungo bat

A fungo bat is a specially designed bat used by baseball and softball coaches for practice. The etymology of the word fungo ( /ˈfʌŋɡoʊ/) is uncertain, but the Oxford English Dictionary suggests it is derived from the Scots fung: "to pitch, toss, or fling". A fungo is longer and lighter than a regulation bat, with a smaller diameter. The bat is designed to hit balls tossed up in the air by the batter, not pitched balls. Typical fungo bats are 35 to 37 inches (89 to 94 cm) long and weigh 17 to 22 ounces (480 to 620 g). Coaches hit many balls during fielding practice, and the weight and length allow the coach to hit balls repeatedly with high accuracy. The small diameter also allows coaches to easily hit pop-ups to catchers and infielders along with ground balls due to better control of the barrel of the bat.

As a weapon

Baseball bats are often used as weapons by civilians, criminals, protesters, and mobsters. Factors that made the baseball bat a popular weapon include:

  • Price: Baseball bats are cheaper to buy and easier to maintain than firearms or bladed weapons.
  • Legality: Unlike firearms, bladed weapons, pepper spray, or stun guns, baseball bats are not considered a weapon by many jurisdictions due to being sporting equipment. However, some jurisdictions may ban carrying sporting equipment in public without good reason.
  • Ease of access: Baseball bats are freely available in stores such as sporting goods stores. They don't require a background check, license, or permit.
  • Ease of use: Baseball bats (like many other bludgeon weapons) only require the user to swing at the target in order for it to be effective.
  • Diversity: Baseball bats come in various sizes from T-ball bats to full size bats. They can cater to the user's strength, size, and available storage places.

See also

References

  1. "MLB Bat rules and Reg". LaCasse Bats. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  2. ^ Jenn Zambri. "Size Matters: Top 10 "Biggest" In MLB History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  3. Beckham, Jeff (August 18, 2014). "Baseball bat with an axe handle brings more power, fewer injuries". Wired.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  4. McAuley, Grant (May 19, 2018). "Axe handle bat new weapon of choice for Braves' Swanson". The Game 92.9. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. Passan, Jeff (June 23, 2015). "Why the Axe Bat, Dustin Pedroia may help make the round handle obsolete". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  6. Patterson, Brittany. "Baseball Bats Threatened by Invasive Beetle". Scientific American. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  7. ^ Canadian Sports Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3, August 2008, p. 8, (Publication Mail Agreement #40993003, Oakville, ON)
  8. "The Well Is Effectively Dead". NPR.org. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  9. "MLB bans use of many maple bats in minor leagues; safety concerns cited". archive.li. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Wood science and how it relates to wooden baseball bats". woodbat.org. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  11. "Wood bats - on which "side" should the ball's impact be?". baseball-fever.com. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Safety tests for maple bats mandated". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  13. "Hitting with Wood". woodbat.blogspot.com. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  14. "Maple, Ash Baseball Bats May Strike Out". NPR.org. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  15. ^ "Babe Ruth changed design of bats to thinner handle". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 11, 1979. p. C5.
  16. "Playing The Game, My Early Years in Baseball." Babe Ruth, 1920, United News, syndicated in numerous newspapers including the Atlanta Constitution. Republished 2011 Dover Publications, Mineola, NY. p. 29 in this book.
  17. "Babe Ruth's Own Book Of Baseball," George Herman Ruth, 1928, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY. p. 171.
  18. Mann, Brian. "A Beetle May Soon Strike Out Baseball's Famous Ash Bats". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  19. "Official Baseball Rules" (PDF). Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  20. Mythbusters, season 5 (Corked Bat)
  21. "National Collegiate Athletic Association Standard for Testing Baseball Bat Performance" (PDF). acs.psu.edu. October 30, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  22. "Bat-testing regulations modified" Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  23. "Baseball Rules Committee Focuses on Clarification of Bat Standards and Sportsmanship During Pre-Game Practice" Archived 24 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  24. NCHSAA Baseball Archived July 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  25. 2007 Regulation & Rule Changes Archived September 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  26. "2017 Rules and Regulations for PONY Baseball" (PDF). bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  27. Heiss Grodin, Dana (March 7, 2001). "Equipment and product guide". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  28. Lee, Sandra L. (December 27, 2001). "For now, the mansion stands". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  29. ^ Baseball Explained by Phillip Mahony, McFarland Books, 2014. See www.baseballexplained.com Archived 2014-08-13 at the Wayback Machine
  30. Oxford English Dictionary entry for "Fungo", http://www.oed.com/
  31. "Fungo bats". baseballrampage.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  32. Loyd, Linda (Sep 24, 1992). "Baseball Bats moving from recreation to 'instruments of crime' in U.S. Cities". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  33. Palmer, Brian (Aug 10, 2011). "Why Are They Using Baseball Bats Instead of Cricket Bats in the U.K. Riots?". Slate. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  34. "THE MOST COMMON WEAPONS OF THE MAFIA". National Crime Syndicate. 23 November 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  35. "Can a baseball bat be considered a weapon?". Severe Trial Counsel. June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  36. Lightbody, C. J.; MacIver, C. (February 24, 2007). "The baseball bat: a modern day cudgel". Emergency Medicine Journal. 24 (2): 112. doi:10.1136/emj.2006.042929. PMC 2658185. PMID 17251617.

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