New Standards for Metal Bats in California High Schools

Beginning in January, high school baseball teams in California will be required to use new safety-tested metal bats.

 

The new requirements were prompted by a 16 year old California pitcher who suffered a major head injury in the spring when he was hit by a line drive from a metal bat. He was in a coma for several weeks following the accident, and plans to return to baseball this spring. After the accident, Jared Huffman, a member of the California Assembly, proposed a two year moratorium on all non-wooden bats for high school baseball teams. Huffman postponed the bill while he worked on safety changes with the California Interscholastic Federation.

 

This week, the CIF, which sets rules in California for high school sports, announced new rules governing bats. New safety standards will be required for all metal bats. The bats will be tested to limit the speed of balls they hit. The bats may include a decal that will change color if the bat is tampered with, although the technology is not yet available to make the decals. National standards for metal bats will take effect in 2012.

 

The CIF will also encourage high schools to require headgear for its athletes.