Why are metal bats banned in the MLB? This may seem like an obvious question at first glance; however, the answer might surprise some people. A common answer a player or fan of baseball would say is that due to high competition and skill level the metal gives a trampoline effect bouncing off the bat at alarming speeds. When aluminum bats entered the scene in the 1970s originally welcomed by almost all players it was eventually banned in professional competitions. One source from ESPN states “for professional players at the Major League Baseball (MLB) level, this velocity can be dangerous for both players on the field and those sitting in the stands.”

Another way people might speculate is that metal bats are hollow making the pressure back all the way to the batter’s wrist, which over time could cause damage. Or maybe it’s because if a metal bat breaks the shrapnel could be rather deadly. But really a more sensible approach to this question is that wood bats allow slower speeds meaning the ball once airborne wouldn’t go so fast it could break a glove.