Baseball Bat | Evolving Consumer

Axe And You Shall Receive

Two years ago Baden Sports introduced the Axe Bat to the world of baseball. It was meant to refine the way that batters gripped the bat.

Since that time Vijay Gupta, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California Los Angeles, along with a team of researchers have performed a study that shows that an axe-shaped bat handle offers players significantly more bat control, power transfer and acceleration while significantly decreasing the risk of injury compared to traditional bats with round knobs and handles.

The study, which used NCAA Division I baseball players and slow-motion video analysis, applied principles of dynamics and biomechanics to compare bats with axe-shaped handles to those with traditional round knobs. The analysis extended to comfort, bat control, transfer of power to the ball and injury potential.

“Looking at both handle types from a biomechanical standpoint, the angled knob with a flush backside offers many compelling advantages,” said Gupta, who authored the study. “This includes a more stable grip and a more even distribution of swing forces on the hand and palm, resulting in a safer, more comfortable, and more controlled swing.” Continue reading Axe And You Shall Receive

Mako or Breako at Bat

Easton knows a thing or two about baseball bats, and it recently looks to make a bit of a change with the Mako, a bat that features Thermo Composite Technology (TCT). This reduces vibration in the handle while distributing power into the ball upon impact.

While not legal for use in Major League Baseball, or for that matter Minor League Baseball, it does sound like this bat could have you feeling you’re in the majors when you take a swing with thee Mako! Video after the jump

Dangerous Bat?

While a baseball bat can unfortunately be used as a weapon, Easton Sports is being sued as its TB265 bat was apparently responsible for causing the skull fracture of an Ohio teen baseball pitcher. Cole Schlesner, 18, filed the products liability suit last month in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The question is whether the bat is truly responsible, and with it the manufacturer?

“Easton designed its bat so that players could hit a ball harder and faster than any other bats,” the suit states. Schlesner was 15 and was injured in a game in 2009. He required surgery to remove part of his skull, and his family contends that the estimated cost of the care to be between $750,000 and $1 million.

We’ll be sure to watch how this case unfolds.

[Via Los Angeles Daily News: Lawsuit: Easton Sports baseball bat too dangerous]

Weekend Reading List (08.31.2013): Eurobike Gets Fat, Bats Evolve, Ethiopian Made

Eurobike Gets Fat

From Bicycle Retailer: Fatties make their way to Germany
“I nearly didn’t bring this back,” said Ian Ganderton, as he dismounted Salsa’s new carbon fat bike, the Beargrease.
Ganderton, a distributor for QBP’s brands in Dubai, said he brought fat bikes in about a year ago and can’t keep enough of them in stock. “The [Surly] Moonlander has been a huge hit. Interest in [fat bikes] is just phenomenal. This past winter, they were big for us.” Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.31.2013): Eurobike Gets Fat, Bats Evolve, Ethiopian Made

Weekend Reading List (06.22.2013): Surf the Waves, Kick Ash, Women Take Aim

Surf the Waves

From CTV News: Researchers use unmanned electronic ‘surfboard’ to track ocean’s social networks
International marine researchers are getting a glimpse beneath the world’s oceans using a surfboard-inspired, unmanned ‘wave glider’ device that collects data about the creatures living beneath the waves. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (06.22.2013): Surf the Waves, Kick Ash, Women Take Aim

Batter Up

Baseball has seen its fair of changes over the years. The sport is far more ethnically diverse than it was 100 years ago. The stadiums are more high tech, but the bats have mostly remained the same. However, ProXR looks to change that by making an ergonomic baseball that could be the biggest thing to improve hitting since steroids!

The ProXR Kickstarter project is now field testing its new baseball bat technology, which utilizes an ergonomic knob at the base. This provides a better grip and could just improve the swing. Video after the jump

Easton Sports Swings With Power Brigade Bat and HIT LAB

Easton Sports is supplying its Power Brigade bat, along with other equipment, to players in the Little League Baseball World Series taking place August 16 through 26 in Williamsport, PA. This is the first time the new bat will be swung in competition.

The Power Brigade Series is a line of six bats that offer different advantages. The composite and aluminum bats replicate the wood patterns used in the pros, so you can get more speed, more power, and less sting with each swing. Continue reading Easton Sports Swings With Power Brigade Bat and HIT LAB

Wood Makes a Return to Youth Baseball

We reported earlier this year that the NCCA had introduced new rules regarding what constitutes a “legal” bat, as some alloy metals were banned, because they gave an unfair advantage to players. But now Rhode Island has stepped up to the plate to ban all metal bats in its American Legion Baseball league for youth players.

This is just one of three states where the American Legion has reportedly mandated this switch from metal to wooden bats, citing safety as the main reason. While tradition has been cited, and thus the use of wooden bats is in line with those Major League Baseball, it has been argued that wood bats are in fact safer. Research has shown that balls tend to leave wooden bats less quickly, and this gives players on the field more time to react to line drives.

As we noted last year, the National Federation of State High School Associations adopted new guidelines that will come into effect in 2012 on the performance of non-wooden bats as well.

[Via Rockdale Citizen: Youth leagues mull different bat standards]