UMPIRE'S INJURY RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT BATS (The Indiana Gazette)

[Umpire-Empire Reporter]

An incident on Tuesday night in which Umpire Kerwin Danley sustained a concussion after he was hit in the head with a broken bat raised questions about the changes Major League Baseball implemented before this season to reduce the number of broken bats.

More...

News feed provided by

[Umpire in Chief]

I still don't believe the problem is one of the bat being ash/maple. I think the bats are cured to the point there is zero moisture in the bat making it more brittle and prone to breaking. Yes, the moisture does dampen increase the resistance of the ball off the bat making the ball travel off the bat slower, but just how significant is that???

Edited April 23, 2009 by Umpire in Chief
confused...

[BrianC14]

After seeing the video, it appeared to me that Blalock's bat was ash, and it was a break near the handle, unlike so many maple bats that shatter.

In Danley's case, the shattered bat might have been less of a threat to him - Blalock's bat was bascially sawn off, and the bulk of the bat was left to hit Danley.

[Umpire in Chief]

When I first saw the video when someone picks up the bat it looked whole and I thought it might have been a slung bat. After watching again you see Blalock tossing his piece down as he's running.