| When Baseball Bats were first introduced they | | | | York. White ash is used because of its hardness, |
| were available in all different shapes and sizes and | | | | durability, strength, weight and feel. Trees that |
| were constructed of wood. In the mid 1800's | | | | provide the lumber for baseball bats are often 50 |
| baseball was a relatively young sport and baseball | | | | years old, and of all the lumber harvested, the |
| batters actually made their own bats and | | | | top 10 per cent is saved for pro bats. Maple |
| experimented readily with different options. They | | | | baseball bats have recently become popular |
| were interested in the different lengths, shapes, | | | | largely as a result of Barry Bond's amazing 73 |
| and weights. During this particular time in history, | | | | home runs hit using maple bats in 2001. For years, |
| players experimented with different kinds of | | | | maple was too heavy to make an effective bat. |
| wood for their bats in order to improve their | | | | Recent technology in drying wood has created |
| hitting ability. They soon realized that Wagon | | | | bats with lower moisture content, which are light |
| Tongue wood was the best for making baseball | | | | enough to make effective baseball bats. Rock or |
| bats. While the transition to Wagon Tongue wood | | | | Sugar Maple bats are preferred. Maple bats cost |
| was taking place, players also realized they could | | | | more than white ash, but they often last longer |
| hit a ball much more solidly with a round bat. While | | | | as a result of their high strength. Several |
| some players continued to make their own bats, | | | | companies have recently introduced bamboo |
| others had their bats made by a wood maker. | | | | baseball bats. Since bamboo shoots are hollow, |
| Within the next four or five years, the round bat | | | | unlike a standard tree that a wood bat is made |
| became very popular. All baseball players were | | | | of, bamboo bats are made by pressing bamboo |
| using a round Wagon Tongue bat and the only flat | | | | strips into billets, and then turning these billets into |
| surface bat on any team was used strictly for | | | | bats. Bamboo is an extremely strong wood, with |
| bunting. The round-bat had definitely taken over. | | | | a tensile strength greater than that of steel. |
| Because of all the varied sizes and shapes | | | | The introduction of aluminum baseball bats in the |
| available, a new regulation was put in place in 1859 | | | | 1970's forever changed the game of baseball at |
| by the Professional National Association of Baseball | | | | every level but the professional leagues. Aluminum |
| Players Governing Committee that voted in favor | | | | bats are lighter, stronger and can hit a baseball |
| of the first limitation on bat size that stated bats | | | | significantly further than wooden bats. This is a |
| could no longer be larger than 2.5 inches in | | | | result of not only lighter bats, but also the |
| diameter, although they could be of any length. | | | | trampoline effect that occurs when a ball hits an |
| Ten years later in 1869, another rule was added | | | | aluminum bat. As time has progressed, so has the |
| that stated the baseball bat could be no longer | | | | technology put into aluminum bats. Aluminum in |
| than 42 inches in length, the same maximum | | | | bats today is aircraft grade and as scientists have |
| length allowed in the game today. At this time | | | | developed stronger alloys, they have used them |
| there was no rule regarding the shape of the bat. | | | | to make bats both stronger and lighter. Budget |
| In fact, some players sometimes used bats with | | | | aluminum bats can be purchased for a nominal |
| flat surfaces when bunting. | | | | price but are made of aluminum that is |
| While the different players had a chance to digest | | | | significantly weaker than the high end bats. In |
| the new rule of bats, the various woodworkers | | | | recent years, bat makers have introduced |
| were trying to manufacture the most popular bat. | | | | innovations such as the double-wall bats |
| In 1879, after considerable experimenting with | | | | (containing a wall within a wall), carbon fiber bats, |
| various styles, it was said that long and slender is | | | | and bats that use a cryogenic manufacturing |
| the common style of bats. In addition, the handle | | | | process. Some of the super high end bats are so |
| had a carved knob for better control. Times have | | | | thin that they only last a few games before they |
| changed with the evolution of new baseball bat | | | | are literally dented out of shape! Graphite and |
| materials. In fact, wood bats are rare at most | | | | Titanium lined aluminum bats are another recent |
| levels other than the pros. The majority of wood | | | | addition to the industry. Graphite and titanium are |
| baseball bats today are made from northern | | | | both lightweight and strong, allowing for increased |
| white ash harvested from Pennsylvania or New | | | | swing speed and larger sweet spots on the bats. |