The “ping” of the bat will no longer be heard on the high school baseball fields of the nation’s largest school system.
Metal bats were banned from use in New York City on Monday as the city council overrode a mayoral veto to the bill.
The measure, which will start in September, outlawed metal bats under the theory they produce balls with greater velocity and raise the risk of injury because of less reaction time. Opponents, including Little League Baseball and equipment suppliers, say there is no evidence metal bats are more dangerous. A federal lawsuit is planned.
Youth leagues and lawmakers are proposing similar bans in other areas, including New Jersey, where a 12-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and suffered serious injuries after a batted ball struck him in the chest.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed the bat ban this month, saying the issue should be left up to those who run the youth leagues. But the City Council overwhelming rejected the veto by a vote of 41-4.
