Exploring The Differences Between Wood And Metal Bats

Wood bats have been around since the beginning of baseball and metal bats around since the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) legalized them in 1974. Since metal bats have been around, many questions have arose about the differences between wood and metal bats. Wood bats differ from metal bats by having different speeds after contact, sound, and performance. Wood bats can harder to hit with than metal bats. A wood bat has a smaller sweet spot than a metal bat does. The distance after contact is usually less with a wood bat. Statistics say that a wood bat has a slower exit velocity than metal which translates to less distance. The average speed the baseball comes off the wood bat came out to be 98.5 miles per hour (Russell). On the flip side of that, metal bats have a larger sweet spot on the bat which creates a higher exit velocity. The higher exit velocity averages between 100.3 miles per hour and 106.5 miles per hour (Russell). The higher speeds make the ball travel further than it would on a wood bat.

The two bats have totally different sounds after contact. The sound of a wood bat makes a cracking noise. Many people love this sound because it does not hurt their ears and it very soothing. The wood bat sound makes people melt in their shoes when they hear it. The metal bat

To start, wood bats break very easily. Wood bats can be great for hitters but they do break if not hit the proper way. Wood bats need to be hit on the right part of the bat or it will break. Wood bats are made for young adult or adults who how a smooth swing. On the other hand, metal bats do not break like wood bats, unless acted upon in a harmful manner. Metal bats will start to bend and pancake a side if it has been hit with for awhile. The metal bats will not break or flatten if hit on the wrong spot on the bat. Metal bats are designed for kids or young adults who still need to learn how to smooth out their