Aluminum Bat Maker Files Suit

A major bat manufacturer filed suit Friday in U.S. District Court to block a proposed NCAA rule change that would put stricter limits on aluminum bats.

Easton Sports, of Van Nuys, is seeking triple damages of $267 million.

The suit is a response to Thursday’s recommendation by the NCAA baseball rules committee that bats should be made heavier and should not produce a batted-ball speed of more than 93 mph, about 20 mph slower than currently.

“The committee feels that the effects of these recommendations will make the game safer for all participants and provide for a better competitive balance between offense and defense,” Bill Rowe Jr., chairman of the rules committee, said in a release.

If approved, the changes will take effect next season and render obsolete the 1.3 million aluminum bats in the hands of colleges and dealers.

“That is the back breaker,” said Jim Easton, company chairman. “We would need at least two years to transition.”

Ted Breidenthal of the NCAA told the Associated Press that the rules committee “did not want to hesitate any longer” after USC scored a football-like 21-14 victory over Arizona State in the recent College World Series.

But Easton called the recommendations unfounded and wants further research.

“[The NCAA] is just throwing darts at the wall,” Easton said. “We’re trying to bring some reason to all of this.”