Pitching machine balls and bats

[softballtaxi]

why do they say not to use bats with pitching machine balls? What do these rubber balls do to the bat, that the hard ball doesn't?

[Tucson]

It is possible for the hard rubber ball to dent the bat.

[NumeroUno]

I can see that happening with a cheap aluminum bat but I done see any reason why you can't use a composite bat in a batting cage. In fact I recommend it, it will help the break in time. As long as it isn't the new eastons that change color once they get good.

[Phantom]

I can see that happening with a cheap aluminum bat but I done see any reason why you can't use a composite bat in a batting cage. In fact I recommend it, it will help the break in time. As long as it isn't the new eastons that change color once they get good.

exactly

[txfastptchcoach]

By your reaction Phantom this must have happened to you already???

[GIMNEPIWO]

why do they say not to use bats with pitching machine balls? What do these rubber balls do to the bat, that the hard ball doesn't?

Because in cold weather ... cold composite or alumberdum and frozen balls are not a good idea ... I have seen $300 bats turned into crapola ... in our cold a*s POLE BARN we warm the balls and bats first ... if its warm enough to be outside and comfortable, it shouldn't be an issue ... but, as an example, yesterday at the 40 degree HS tryouts my Zacklies used their back-up bat and not their gamer ...

[jth1959]

Because the composite bat could crack like my daughters Synergy did.

[NumeroUno]

I gave my opinion talking about 70 degree+ weather, I have never seen a froven ball so that could changes things a tad bit.

[dittoz]

Awhile back, I saw a piece on a manufacturer website (it might have been Worth, not sure though) in regards to the subject of bats and cold weather.

The meat of the point was that the bats aren't the problem so much as the ball. When it gets cold, the ball becomes harder and in the case of metal bats, can cause dents where a warm-weather game ball would not. I suppose this would also apply to dimple balls which seem to have more mass behind them anyway.

Since then, I've heard numerous things about composite bats, the concept of uhh... errr... hard balls (DON'T!!!), and a variety of other things, but it seems like whoever one talks to, you get a different story and line of thinking.

So I actually know nothing... !

[NumeroUno]

dittoz I have one favor to ask, can you please find a new avatar? I can't look at that anymore, ugly images keep popping into my head