at an alarming rate and opinions widely vary as to the causes. For months the issue regarding maple bats has been a growing concern for MLB. Much of the information that has been reported is being done so by misinformed individuals. Unfortunately many of the published opinions are statements by uneducated "brands" and not through reliable sources. Reliable sources should include manufacturers with MLB approval, as well as complete quality control from standing timber through finished maple or ash bat. In fact, there are companies on the MLB approved bat manufacturer list of which "DO NOT" produce their own brand! Not only are the raw materials outsourced but actual bat production is also performed by a third party.

To my knowledge, Louisville Slugger, Rawlings and Carolina Clubs are the only true bat manufacturers and control every process of production. The need for third party billet vendors or brokers is virtually eliminated because these companies supply most of their own needs.

The following is a conversation with West Palm Beach, Florida and New York based, Carolina Clubs, Inc. President, Kevin Lane.

Q: How do you feel about the current problem MLB is facing concerning maple bats?

Carolina Clubs: "Since the outcome of a decision by MLB will affect the industry and ultimately impact my family business, which includes over 15 years producing quality bats for MLB players. Obviously, I am more than concerned with what’s occurring. This is a topic that seems to be on everybody’s mind. As with all controversies, everyone has their opinion, but I am extremely disappointed in many of the comments I’ve been reading. I can tolerate ignorance among individuals uneducated in the field of wood bat manufacturing, but the fact that I continue to read published comments by so called experts of the industry which completely contradict basic wood drying practices, concerns me. Just because someone claims to be a pioneer doesn’t necessarily constitute them an expert. The problem MLB is currently facing with maple bats was not prevalent four or five years ago."

Q: Is there a difference in the bat production process when using maple and ash?

Carolina Clubs: "No, the entire process is the same with both species. That process includes the ability to dry both maple and ash within the same kiln chamber. The issue that we, as a manufacturer encounter is that maple by nature has a higher density level than that of ash. Therefore, maple billets have a tendency to be heavier than ash ultimately reducing the number of models that can be produced using maple."

Q: What do you mean by heavier billets?

Carolina Clubs: "Billets are the cylindrical wood blanks which are loaded into the lathe and machined into a baseball bat. The physical weight will determine which bat model may be produced using that specific billet. For example: A popular model among professional players is a pro model 243. Producing this large barrel bat at 34 inches long, typically 32 ounces, will require a billet weighing approximately 79-80 ounces. Quality ash billets in this weight range are difficult to accumulate, but the task is even more difficult with the heavier species of maple."

Q: So if a player is interested in that particular model made from maple, what will occur?

Carolina Clubs: "We try to educate our clients regarding wood quality, density, proper moisture content, weight ranges, etc. Many times our expertise and advice are received with open arms but occasionally we’ve lost players to competitors that make false promises."

Q: False Promises? How so?

Carolina Clubs: "Well, when a player is conditioned to believe they can only hit with a larger barrel, then that’s what they want no matter what information you provide them with. If the solution to the problem is not what the player wants to hear, then many times the player will find a company willing to stretch the envelope."

Q: Stretch the envelope?

Carolina Clubs: "Yes, going beyond accepted industry practices in order to make a sale."

Q: But if you can’t produce that model on a regular basis then how can others make that promise?

Carolina Clubs: "Here is where it get’s interesting! Wood bat manufacturing is a small industry and quality billets are always in high demand. Over four years ago I established a mill in Upstate New York with the sole purpose of meeting the quality and quantity needs of Carolina Clubs.

At our mill we control everything, starting with grading, scaling and purchasing both maple and ash logs through the dry kiln process. The drying process is a very deliberate and controlled process of reducing moisture content to an acceptable level of 10-12%. Moisture content of wood is a factor that greatly affects quality and durability of the finished bat. Over-dry wood fibers become brittle. To answer your question, billets are a product which is in short supply, we have been contacted by manufacturers in need of stock. These MLB approved manufacturers have specifically requested a MC level of 3% or 4%!"

Q: I don’t understand. How does a lower moisture content allow other companies to make large barrel bats? And why then can you not do the same?

Carolina Clubs: "The process of kiln drying is the removal of water using controlled conditions. Reducing moisture content reduces water weight making the billets lighter. By reducing the MC increases the ability to produce more large barrel maple bats. Why can’t we do the same? Actually we can but, refuse to dry to anything less than 10%-12% MC. As I said earlier, a moisture content any less than 10%-12% will have a detrimental affect on the integrity of the wood. In the past I’ve used a few sheets of paper in order to explain the effects of over-drying. Keep in mind, paper is made using wood pulp which obviously contains wood fibers. Have you ever found a sheet of old dried out paper? If you take that over dry paper and attempt to crumple it up in your hand it will literally disintegrate. Now take a fresh sheet of paper and it is possible to crumple that paper up into a ball and flatten it back out dozens of times and it will stay in-tacked. This is only possible because the fibers contain the proper moisture content and are able to remain flexible. It’s an exaggerated comparison but the same basic principle applies with a wooden bat. Over-dry wood bats become brittle and without the ability to flex, they basically break apart under stress. In my opinion unrealistic moisture content is a major contributing factor of Exploding maple bats."

Q: What are some of the other factors that may be contributing to maple bats shattering?

Carolina Clubs: "Besides moisture content, I feel there’s a few factors that are relevant. The first is grain run off or cross grain. Cross grain as the name suggests, can be defined as grain which runs across the length of the bat. Ideally production of wood baseball bats should be done using materials absent of grain run off or cross grain. Effectively a grain slope of zero. A very minimal amount can be acceptable but, bats containing cross grain are susceptible to breakage and/or shear. Whatever terminology you choose to use, the bottom line is you want straight grain.

Another factor I firmly believe needs to be addressed is player discretion. What I’ve found over the last 15 years is that players in general have become complacent when it involves maple bats. The belief has been Maple is harder therefore it doesn’t break as easily as ash. Over all they last much longer than ash bats. It is not uncommon for a player to take BP for two months using only one maple bat. Although they are all true statements, we must change the mentality of hitters that use maple bats. News Flash! Maple bats break!

With the recent increased publicity more and more players are stating, "I hit that ball square on the barrel and the head exploded. Maple bats are dangerous!"

Here’s a scenario.

Fouling off a 93 mph cutter on the inside half of the plate while using ash, in most instances will result in the hitter checking to make sure the bat didn’t break. Either tapping it on the ground checking tone, often a damage indicator or by just visually inspecting for a crack. Although there is no clear indication the bat broke, just to be sure, the hitter walks over to the bat rack for a new piece of lumber. Next pitch ball four, take your base.

Take the exact same pitch scenario involving a maple bat and the hitters mentality changes. He steps out of the box, looks at the bat, checks tone, etc. Thinks to himself, "Hmm that pitch would have broken any of my ash bats but, this is maple so, she’s still good." Because of the tight grain characteristics of maple, which can be deceiving and camouflage a small hairline crack, then add the overblown maple myth mentality, the hitter decides to complete that plate appearance with the same bat. Ball four, take your base.

Three innings later, one out and a man in scoring position that hitter steps up to the plate using that same maple bat from the previous plate appearance. The stretch...here’s the pitch, a BP fastball, straight over the heart of the plate. The hitter comes un-glued, expecting to drive the pitch deep into the gap, but on contact the barrel of that maple bat explodes.

Before anyone should jump to the conclusion that the particular bat was a bad piece of wood, ask yourself these questions.

What transpired during the last few plate appearances involving that maple bat?

Did the hitter get jammed?

Did he hit a ball off the end?

Did he slam the bat down in disgust after a called third strike?

Consider the ash bat used in the last scenario and ask yourself these questions:

What would be the end result if a cracked ash bat were used under game conditions?

Wouldn’t the very act of making contact using a cracked or broken ash bat result in exploding ash?

Or better yet how many players would knowingly attempt to use a broken bat at the plate?

The common sense approach would be trust your gut. If you think you broke it, then you probably did. Changing some players thought process may take some time, but for safety sake must at least be attempted."

Q: What do you recommend in a situation where the player may suspect his maple bat is broken?

Carolina Clubs: We advise our clients to take another game bat and put the questionable bat to the side. Use the bat in question during batting practice the following day. If the bat survives BP the law of averages will suggest there’s no crack. It’s unscientific, but a very effective approach.

Q: Do you think MLB will ban the use of Maple Bats?

Carolina Clubs: "I really don’t think an outright ban will happen because of the collective bargaining agreement, but only time will tell. In the meantime, I am happy that the number of ash bat orders we’re filling has increased. It’s just a shame that many people are panicking and jumping to conclusions, especially without the proper information.

As long as ALL the facts are presented and considered, this situation will work itself out.

.........or we can put all the bat manufacturers in one room to fix it!"