Using a wooden bat in college baseball

by lamron on May 13, 2009 11:11 AM CDT Comment 8 comments

Is there some unwritten rule in NCAA ball that says you cannot use a wooden bat because it shows up the other team?

I am referencing this story where a Baylor baseball player was using a wooden bat and the coach from SFA tells the pitcher to hit him, it then blows up and the coaches are going toe to toe. The coach then admits to the umpire that this is the reason he is hitting the guy. To which the Baylor coach replied "Obviously it set me off to hear him articulate that so clearly."

I was never aware of this.

I would think that it would be understandable - if you wanted to tune up for summer league ball or maybe not lose your touch or even break a slump if you have a "lucky" bat or something.

Thoughts?

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I would take that as being shown up

You don’t tune up for summer league ball during your regular college season. Baylor is really struggling but they still have something to play for so giving yourself a disadvantage by using a wooden bat is ridiculously stupid.

by uthornfan on May 13, 2009 11:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

I guess I can buy that the batter was trying to figure something out with his swing, but still, it seems pretty sorry to go out there with a wooden bat. Especially when you are playing a horrible team like SFA. It is not hard to see how the SFA coach could have taken offense. Of course Steve Smith at Baylor is prick so anything that gets under his skin is fine with me.

by uthornfan on May 13, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

totally showing up a team when someone swings a wood. One of those unspoken rules of college ball.

SFA coach has probably had a long year, was getting thumped by Baylor, got pissed, told his kid to drill the other one.

Don’t blame him.

I'm Ron Burgundy?

by Ryin A on May 13, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree as well

If my team in college was getting beat badly by another team and a guy did that, id hit him in the hip. No order from the coach needed. I would do that to every guy that came up with a wooden bat until i was tossed if need be.

by Michael Cave on May 13, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no love lost for Steve Smith but,

I guess I just think of it differently.

I played ball back in the day and I was very superstitious. If I played in multiple leagues I would use whichever bat was working for me. I tried wooden, didn’t work for me but if it did I would never put it down.

I guess I just wouldn’t care. If someone wants be a dumbass use a wood bat and make it easier to get them self out I would be all for it.

by lamron on May 13, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

from talk radio:

The player from Baylor is the 2nd basemen and in the midst of a slump, he used the bat from the beginning of the game and didnt switch mid game.

The coach from SFA pulled the pitcher and catcher when they didn’t hit him a 3rd time.

His 3rd time at bat he asked the catcher “are ya’ll throwing at me?” the catcher replied “yup, coach told us too.”

After the coaches got tossed, the Baylor catcher got hit in the head and another brouhaha erupted.

by lamron on May 13, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's kinda funny, pulled them after they wouldn't hit him the 3rd time, this is assuming that they weren't headhunting, just hitting him in his gluteous maximus...

I understand why he was using the wood, it makes you use your hands more, shortens your swing. Players usually take bp with wood bats, use them in off season scrimmages, etc…

I just can’t comprehend why he would use it in a game. Furthermore, I can’t comprehend how Smith would let him use it in a game. You think he’d let him use it against UT or A&M?

Total disrespect, doesn’t really bother me (although it sounds like it does..) just pointing it out.

I'm Ron Burgundy?

by Ryin A on May 13, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

from the competition standpoint

why in the hell would you use wood over metal for any reason? you get more batspeed, you hit it further (trampoline effect), etc, etc, etc

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."

by knockoutking on May 13, 2009 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs