These low-frequency bending vibrations dissipate much of the energy associated with the bat-ball collision, which means wooden bats don't return as much energy to the ball. Aluminum bats vibrate in two directions -- along their length and radially as the metal shell squeezes in and then contracts out.
This second class of vibrations occurs in a set of frequencies known as hoop modes. The fundamental frequency, or first hoop mode, acts like a spring during collision, compressing in and then expanding out and returning a large amount of energy to the ball.
This "trampoline effect" is another reason why aluminum bats lead to higher batted ball speeds. The bottom line: Non-wood bats do lead to higher batted ball speeds and, as a result, to harder line drives and deeper fly balls.
But there's an, ahem, aluminum lining to this story: The process used to manufacture metal bats can be tightly controlled. By fine-tuning their alloy selection and manufacturing processes, companies like Rawlings and Louisville Slugger can produce metal bats that perform more like wood bats.
Since , when the NCAA implemented a new standard effectively requiring non-wood bats to produce batted ball speeds no greater than wood, batting averages, home runs per game and earned-run averages are the lowest they've been in more than 30 years [source: Russell ].
One of the arguments for aluminum bats is that they cost less to own, primarily because they don't break. But what about environmental costs? I wonder which bat-making process has a lower carbon footprint? Might make an interesting sidebar to the controversy. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.
Mobile Newsletter chat close. Which is better? A Wood bat, or metal bat? However, for any batter that is trying to improve their swing, their batting average, their RBIs, or just their game in general - the debate is over. Wood is the clear choice.
In this blog we'll look at three key metrics to ending the debate. Performance 2. Affordability 3. Metal Bats tend to be unbalanced. They are light, and end loaded - putting most of the weight in the barrel, or having a longer barrel. Using an end metal bat leads to a more golf club like swing. This causes your swing path to typically go from low to high, causing a high arc and increasing the probability of pop-flys.
Wood baseball bats are more properly weighted, due to the manufacturing process and the limitations of the media. You can always make a lighter metal - wood has limitations. This means you end up with a more evenly distributed weight across the length of the bat.
The result: better balance to drive the ball. This in turn results in a more level swing , causing a a flatter trajectory with gradual rise for extra distance, which translates to more line drives, and beyond. The sweet spot, as it is commonly referred to is the the chunky part of the barrel, usually located between two - six inches from the end of your bat. This is the optimal area in which to hit on a bat.
Learning where the sweet spot is, is the key to making good contact, and thus getting the most out of each at bat. It's true that metal bats also have a sweet spot, but they don't offer the same amount of feedback to the player, so you can never learn as much.
Not every pitch is hittable. With metal bats you may get away with swinging at more bad pitches, and making more mishits. A wood bat isn't as forgiving, and swinging at bad pitches, and mishitting can lead to stinging hands, and broken bats. By understanding a wood bats barrel, and the sweet spot - you'll learn to be more selective of the pitches you swing at, and develop a better awareness of your strike zone. You'll also learn how to make adjustments to your swing, like dragging your hands in close to your body to get the sweet spot around on an inside pitch, or extending to get good contact on an outside pitch.
A metal bat can withstand more mishits than wood bat. A pitch that would break your wood bat might turn into a single with a metal bat. Plain and simple, a metal bat has a larger sweet spot. Due to the fact that metal bats are hollow, they can have a larger barrel, and thus a bigger sweet spot, and a bigger bat in general.
This also means they can be as light as legally possible - regardless of hitter type, contact, extra bases or power hitters. What wood bat is the hardest to break? Why do baseball bats have a hole at the top? Do wood bats lose Pop? Do end loaded bats hit farther? What is the best wood bat to buy? What is the best bat for ? What is the hottest bat on the market? Which Bbcor bat has the biggest sweet spot? What is the hottest Bbcor bat for ?
What is the best Bbcor bat for a power hitter? What Bbcor bats are banned? Previous Article How do you start a conclusion sentence starter? Aluminum bats were simply a metal version of a wood bat. But, the metal made the bat more durable and, in turn, cheaper. Now, aluminum bats are used in Little League, softball, college baseball, and high school. Professional baseball hasn't adopted aluminum bats for a number of reasons, but mostly to preserve historical records that were achieved through player ability rather than bat technology.
Also, aluminum bats have received criticism for being dangerous. So, what are the differences and advantages between wood bats and aluminum bats? New rule adoption , such as BBCOR , in some Leagues limit the dangers aluminum bats can have by imitating wooden bat characteristics.
And, as you can see, both bat types have their advantages. Do you know about the new youth baseball bat standard that takes effect on January 1, ? In the end, aluminum bats provide more power, a faster swing, and a larger sweet spot.
So, in terms of head-to-head, aluminum bats are better than wood bats. However, coaches, instructors, and serious players should use wood bats, even if it's just for training or practice.
Wood bats provide hitters with better mechanics, better approach, better contact and makes the player a better hitter.
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