Little League Baseball recently posted a statement on its web site noting that tampering with LL approved bats to "increase their performance" is strictly prohibited.
The statement includes this interesting detail. So far, LL headquarters "has not received any reports of Little League volunteers or players making alterations to bats."
So why issue the statement?
Apparently, it's in response to a tampering trend in college baseball. Several coaches, notably Vanderbilt's Tim Corbin, have questioned whether bats used by players on opposing teams have been doctored. Division I teams got a memo from the NCAA informing them that during the post-season tournament (leading to the College World Series) random bat tests are being conducted.
My question: How do you tamper with a metal bat? Personally, I've never remotely been tempted to tinker with my kids' bats, for reasons both ethical and economic. (i.e., fear of destroying a $300 investment). But college hitters are more than intrigued, according to this very good article in the Birmingham News.
Kudos to Little League for staying ahead of the problem, which, to this point, I guess, isn't a problem.
Showing posts with label college baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college baseball. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
This college coach has a lot of explaining to do
More from the overuse-injury desk.
Writing for ESPN Insider, Keith Law reports on a marathon college baseball game and the clueless decisions of the coaches involved.
"By now you've probably read about the 25-inning game yesterday between the University of Texas and Boston College, which featured incredible performances by Texas reliever Austin Wood (13 innings, 169 pitches) and BC reliever Mike Belfiore (9.2 innings, 129 pitches) to keep the game scoreless into the small hours. However, we must not overlook the unconscionable decisions by Texas coach Augie Garrido and BC coach Mikio Aoki to expose two talented young pitchers to potential arm injuries, demonstrating not only poor judgment but willful ignorance of the connection between overuse and arm injuries."
Law goes on to explain that Wood's pitch count was the second highest among college pitchers this year. And it's even worse. Wood had been used the day before, throwing 30 pitches.
I'd be very curious to hear the Texas coach defend this approach, or try to. Imagine asking a major leaguer like CC Sabathia or Zack Greinke to attempt something like this. You'd have a revolt on your hands.
A handy, definitive reference for college baseball pitch counts is Pitch Count Watch.
Thanks to Ben Hyman of Real Baseball Intelligence for the tip.
Writing for ESPN Insider, Keith Law reports on a marathon college baseball game and the clueless decisions of the coaches involved.
"By now you've probably read about the 25-inning game yesterday between the University of Texas and Boston College, which featured incredible performances by Texas reliever Austin Wood (13 innings, 169 pitches) and BC reliever Mike Belfiore (9.2 innings, 129 pitches) to keep the game scoreless into the small hours. However, we must not overlook the unconscionable decisions by Texas coach Augie Garrido and BC coach Mikio Aoki to expose two talented young pitchers to potential arm injuries, demonstrating not only poor judgment but willful ignorance of the connection between overuse and arm injuries."
Law goes on to explain that Wood's pitch count was the second highest among college pitchers this year. And it's even worse. Wood had been used the day before, throwing 30 pitches.
I'd be very curious to hear the Texas coach defend this approach, or try to. Imagine asking a major leaguer like CC Sabathia or Zack Greinke to attempt something like this. You'd have a revolt on your hands.
A handy, definitive reference for college baseball pitch counts is Pitch Count Watch.
Thanks to Ben Hyman of Real Baseball Intelligence for the tip.
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