OTB Wood Bat Survey

2/8/2010: There has been a repeated demand from a group of OTB players to change the rules regarding bats. Over the past few years this interest has intensified. In response to this demand, OTB created a wood bat committee. This committee was tasked with investigating the overall interest in wood bats. The committee created a survey regarding wood bats and this survey was sent to each of the league players who had a valid email address and was delivered to nearly all of the 240 members. We received 183 responses (over 76%). The results of this survey are shown below. We invite you to review these results and comment on them. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tom Burgess or Bill Brooks.
1. What do you think of the idea of OTB changing to a wood bat league?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Like It	77	42.0%
Don't Like It	82	44.8%
Have no opinion	24	13.1%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

2. If OTB changed its current rules to restrict bat use to wood bats only, would you continue to play in OTB?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Yes	139	75.9%
No	15	8.1%
Not sure at this time	29	15.8%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

3. Do you think the current use NON- WOOD bats creates a dangerous situation for OTB league players?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Yes	45	24.5%
No	124	67.7%
I do not know at this time.	14	7.6%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

4. If OTB changed to wood bats, what type of impact would it have on OTB games?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Positive	54	29.5%
Negative	67	36.6%
No impact	23	12.5%
I do not know at this time.	39	21.3%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

5. What would be your major concerns with switching to wood bats?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Cost	42	22.9%
Performance (i.e. lower batting averages)	20	10.9%
Durability (i.e. Aluminum bats last longer)	32	17.4%
Fewer at bats.	34	18.5%
Other	55	30.0%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%
5. What would be your major concerns with switching to wood bats? - Other
Please note that the comment responses have been edited to remove duplicate responses

All of the above

Aluminum bats is a differentiator as compared to other leagues

Force older, less skilled players out of league

None

We're not the pros. We don't hit like them. Campbell and Westford-yes. Others-no

Danger to pitcher of broken bat

Composite bats cover the first 3 concerns. Maybe" fewer at bats.

Fewer @ bats bottom of order may get 2 @ bats

Cost AND Performance

Much better baseball!

Effect in cold weather when wood bats tend to crack more so than warmer weather

All of the above, and it will lead to more dissapointed and dissatisfied players

Dullification of the games

I've got 1000$ in metal bats

Games would not as enjoyable

Guys would have to learn to hit safety for the pitchers

6. Have you used a wooden bat in any other league over the last five years?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Yes	94	51.3%
No	89	48.6%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

7. Do you think players batting averages will be affected if the league changed to wood bats?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
Yes	157	85.7%
No	16	8.7%
I don't know at this time.	10	5.4%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

8. If you have used a wooden bat in another league in the last five years, about how many games have you used it in?
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
1-5 games	106	57.9%
6-10 games	18	9.8%
11-15 games	18	9.8%
16-20 games	5	2.7%
More than 20 games	28	15.3%
No Responses	8	4.3%
Total	183	100%

9. If you answered yes to the previous question, what was your impression of wood bats to aluminum bats.
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
I like the wood bats and prefer them over aluminum.	52	28.4%
I do not like the wood bats and prefer aluminum over wood.	55	30.0%
I do not have a preference.	72	39.3%
No Responses	4	2.1%
Total	183	100%

10. How do you think the league should approach a change to wood bats.
	Number of Response(s)	Response Ratio
I prefer to try wood bats during designated games before making a final decision.	93	50.8%
I would like the league to switch to wood bats exclusively and as soon as possible.	31	16.9%
I do not want wood bats under any circumstances.	42	22.9%
I do not have a preference	17	9.2%
No Responses	0	0.0%
Total	183	100%

11. Please give us any other comments regarding the use of wood bats in OTB.
116 Response(s) Please note that the comment responses have been edited to remove duplicate responses

Select number of games to be wood bat only, say 5 or 6 games a season, do that for 2 years and track the difference league-wide in number of at bats in those games vs the aluminum bat games, and number of hits in the those games vs others and have some hard data before asking for a complete switch to wood.

My reason for favoring wood bats isn't a safety concern, but more for the fact that many of the game scores resemble football games. I will continue to play OTB regardless of outcome, but I would like to see a designated set of games (maybe 3-4) where it is tried out first before a wholesale implementation.

Cost will be the primary issue. Also, I'm concerned with the durability of wood bats. Obviously they break and aluminum bats don't. If OTB were to switch to wood, regardless of who pays for them, everyone will be paying a lot more to play baseball. Even MLB has set up a commission to find out why bats are breaking so much.

The issue of "too few at-bats" would be mitigated by the fact that often 1 or more players are absent from games, i.e., it's rare to have 15 in the lineup. Having played in wood bat tournaments in recent years, I feel wood bats yield a more pure game. Presently, OTB is over-run w/ 20+ run games; I believe wood-bat only would be a positive change.

I think it would speed the game up if wood bats are used. Games seem to run long at times.

Wood bats create a completely different game - fewer hits and fewer runs. This league needs the boost in power and action in the field to keep things interesting. If people want to play in wood bat leagues, there are plenty of other options out there. Alum. bats are a differentiator to other leagues and allows older players to bat competitively.

Wood bats are are harder to control through the zone. As such your poorer hitters would be sure outs or forced out of the game because of poor performance.

OTB has always been an aluminum bat league. While some of the older -5 aluminum bats were less safe than wood, the current -3 restriction is about the same as wood regarding safety and is an excellent compromise. I wish OTB would drop this. If players want wood bats, they should form another league.

Is it to protect players in the league? Is it to "encourage" players just holding on hang up their spikes? Is it to maintain the authenticity of the game? If so, will we only be batting 9 players? Fun, exercise, camaraderie and "reasonable" competition are listed on the OTB website philosophy not an exact replication of the MLB experience.

It would be great to use them on "short-porch" fields like Campbell and Westford, but not on any others. Hitting a homerun at this age is a pleasure. I'd hate to almost completely eliminate that opportunity by switching to wood exclusively. Selected fields--definitely.

Wood bats would stop the games from being high scoring games with both teams scoring double digit runs. It would definitely benefit pitchers in the league which is needed because the hitters have a significant advantage with aluminum bats. Wood bats are definitely needed.

One suggestion would be to allow both wood and aluminum bats and over time phase out aluminum bats with limiting the amount of games that aluminum bats can be used each year

I think it would make for a better game. If all guys can think about is their batting average they can't be enjoying the game that much.

There is nothing to gain from changing to wood bats. all the studies show that players are not at any more risk using the type of bats we have in the league now.

Rather than an immediate switch to wood for the 2010 season, I would think a gradual approach would be best. As an example, if there are 15 games, make the first 5 aluminum and then switch to wood for the remainder of the season. Then make 2011 100% wood.

Cost of wood bats is not something to be taken lightly. In a lengthy OTB season it will more than likely result in a signficant increase in costs to those playing in the league.

We are one of the last leagues still using aluminum! It's is time to make the change to a safer game. with the existance of composite bats, cost is no longer an issue. the only reason those chose to continue to use aluminum bats is a selfish one..........higher batting averages and more HR's. The fact it is a safer game is not being considered.

I grew up playing ball w/ aluminum bats and have no desire to switch now. I love the league and drive 1hr every week to play, but this would really make me reconsider joining one closer to home. Guys that hit .500 now will still do fine and be happy loosing .100 on the ave, but guys that hit .250 may not comeback.

Lets face it.The reason we havent changed is batting stats.I used wood from 99-02 when I lobbied for a league change.To no avail.We play to relive those memories we had when we were kids and in little league we used wood.To me hitters using aluminum is like a hitter on steriods. In a word it's "cheating" and not baseball.

Wood bats are much safer, I have seen in more that five games that pitchers have to react faster when a baseball comes off a an aluminum bat than wood. The day will come when someone get hurt or suffers a head injury due to a line drive from an aluminum bat.

I honestly think wood bats should be an option to the individual player. If you want to use one, go ahead and use it, but don't tell me that I HAVE to use one or the other. If you hit better with wood, all the best. But if you prefer other bats you should be able to use them as well.

An additional cost to the registration fee could help subsidize team wooden bats.

Aluminum bats now have the BESR stamp on them trying to make them as close to a wood bat as possible. I have coached high school games with all wood and the games are very boring. Bats break often causing safety hazards and gets pricey. I would suggest going to the -3BESR stamped bats. If some people prefer wood no one is forcing them to use the alum.

There is a big difference between wood and aluminum. Older players will have a much harder time getting the bat around. The swing is completely different, especially with faster pitchers. Bat is heavier. If there is no compelling reason to change to wood (none stated as the reason for this effort), why is this initiative being considered?

I think the big hitters who would be most likely to break wood would complain. I think there may be an issue with borrowing someone's bat and breaking it. "You break it you replace it" becomes my issue (or could potentially) to make sure you do.

We have developed a long history to review, using almost exclusively, metal bats. It would be healthy for our organization to use wood only, e.g. for 5 years, on a trial basis. Then we can compare these 5 years and the previous years of metal and make another decision. To make a meaningful comparison would be most beneficial to the future of OTB.

This is my first year in the league. And as far as I can see is that going to wooden bats would not be good. The major leagues play with wooden bats because they are PRO'S... Even college plays with aluminum because it allows even the not so good a hit here and there. And the cost of wood bats per player are going to be a lot more also...

Wooden bats would make for a far better, more realistic league. They are safer for pitchers and corner infielders. With composite bats available, cost is not the issue people make it out to be. Also, there would no longer be ridiculous .700 batting averages, which in my opinion, make a mockery of our league.

I played in a semi pro wood league for years. i feel it's much safer for pitchers. Averages would be way down but if safety is the main issue it should be a easy descision. There are some older pitchers in this league who I'm sure don't have the reaction time like they used to. There are some hitters in this league who great, with metal they're scary.

We have been using wood bat in the CNEBA league for the last 4 years. I only pitch in that league. If you love to hit, you will hate switching to wood bats. The first season we broke 60 bats, in 40 games. Run production dropped in half. Homeruns are uncommon. As a pitcher, it's great. As a hitter, it can be frustrating, but a hit is legit.

I believe wood bats would be detrimental to the overall morale of the league and would make playing less fun, especially for lower caliber players. Unless of course you are looking to discriminate against players of lesser caliber, I dont believe a change to wood bats is justified or warranted. I will lobby strongly against any switch at this time.

I do not think that the switch based on the prospect of injury is needed. I think we would see more injuries due to broken bats then we would due to the speed of the ball coming off a non-wooden bat. We do not have the bat speed of the pros! The cost to replace broken bats will eventually force people from this league...and that would be sad!

A similar safety effect can be gained, at lower cost, by changing to a softer ball than the A1010. Statistics may be gained by making all Interleague games wood bat games.

If the OTB goes to wood bats, the rosters should be reduced to 14 or 13 players to keep at bats per game close to what it is. Also it would get players in the field more, as five innings is too few for some players. I would pay more to make up the lost revenue to the league.

I played in the NSBL, which was Aluminum before switching to wood. While aluminum some teams would get 15 run ruled every game. After switching to wood games were ALOT closer. We are talking 3 -4 run differences. It makes the game a game. People will say you will get less at bats, it goes to say the same if you get 15 run ruled. At least you get 2 quality ABs.

I believe there is no evidence to show any safety reasons why we should switch to wood bats. The majority of the players feel strongly about staying with aluminum bats. Adding a few wood bat games per year would create a kind of unbalanced schedule that would cause some problems and plus why we would even try that when most don't want to use wood.