On November 2, 2009 at the 5th game of the World Series in Philadelphia, Derek Jeter just missed getting hit with Johnny Damon’s broken bat. The next inning Derek Jeter’s bat shattered and flew into the stands hitting 9 year old Stephen Perretta.

Is MLB doing anything about it?

Back in December of 2008 MLB passed a mandate with the help of organizations such as the US Forest Service and the Lowell Research Facilities at UMASS. They were hired to conduct these studies on how to fix the problem with broken solid-wood bats.

MLB’s Answer

For the first time in over 100 years the most sacred tool in the sporting industry has been mandated to change. People seem to think that this will be the answer to safer conditions on and off the field. The mandate does not mention anything about the reduction of injuries, just a possible reduction of broken bats.

Bats are still breaking at an alarming rate. More and more players as well as spectators are being seriously injured because of flying debris caused by broken wooden bats during game-play.