Little League International has received numerous inquiries from its volunteers and media regarding the safety of non-wood bats.

Background

Recent innovations in metal alloys have allowed a reduction in the weight of some models of bats, while allowing the bats to remain in conformity with the length and diameter guidelines in the various divisions of Little League Baseball and Softball. Some volunteers and those in the media have raised questions about whether the weight of the bats used in Little League games should be limited, relative to the length.

Non-wood bats were first developed, partly through research by Little League, as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to wooden bats. Non-wood bats were first used in Little League in 1971, and have almost completely replaced wood bats in all divisions of play. Wood bats, which can break in half if not used properly, are now widely used only in professional baseball.

As a member of USA Baseball, the governing body for all amateur baseball in the U.S., Little League Baseball and Softball follows the recommendation of the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee. The position of the Advisory Committee is that further research and data needs to be collected before any changes are made to Little League rules regarding the weight of bats. There is currently no rule in any division of Little League Baseball or Softball that places a maximum or minimum limit on the weight of bats.

Statement

At present, injury data in all divisions of Little League Baseball and Softball shows there has been a 69 percent decrease in reported injuries to pitchers as a result of batted balls since 1992. Data on injuries to pitchers is being used because the pitching position is nearest the batter, and the pitcher is the least likely among all fielders to be fully prepared when the ball is hit.

During that same period, the number of injuries to other fielders as a result of batted balls has remained relatively constant or decreased. A summary of the data is attached, along with participation figures and the current bat specifications for each division.

In 2003, nearly 108,300 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for baseball- or softball-related injuries according to the National Safe Kids Campaign (NSKC). However, only 42 injuries in Little League Baseball and Softball activities, ages 5 to 18, required an insurance claim to be paid that year. Among the same ages in the same year, more than 185,700 football injuries and 205,400 basketball injuries were treated, NSKC reported.

Annually, less than three-tenths of one percent of U.S. Little Leaguers are injured in games or practices to the point of requiring medical treatment. Injury data for Little League are obtained through analyzing medical claims on accident insurance provided by Little League though AIG Insurance. More than 95 percent of the chartered Little League programs in the U.S. are enrolled in the Little League Group Accident Insurance plan.

In conclusion, there appears to be no indication that would cause Little League to mandate a limit on the weight of bats or the use of non-wood bats, based on the most current facts. Statistics show that Little League’s record on safety continues to be outstanding not only among youth sports, but in baseball and softball in particular.

However, Little League Baseball will continue to monitor this situation closely, and will react accordingly and appropriately when indicated.

Additional information on non-wood bats can be found here: http://www.littleleague.org/rules/2005bathelmetrulechanges.asp

For Total Reported Injuries to Pitchers from a Batted Ball in the U.S. by Age Group, Click Here