An Investigation of Wood Baseball Bat Durability as a Function of Bat Profile and Slope of Grain Using Finite Element Modeling and Statistical Analysis

To counter a perceived increase in multi-piece fracturing of wood baseball bats, Major League Baseball implemented standards to regulate the quality used making professional-grade bats. These specifications included minimum density as function species and standard related slope grain (SoG). Following implementation these 2008, there was 65% reduction failure rate. It is hypothesized that further breakage rate can be realized through regulations on allowable bat profiles. In current work, parametric study conducted develop quantitative understanding relationship between durability (i.e., resistance breaking), SoG, profile, thereby obtaining data support or refute hypothesis. Finite element models bat/ball impact four different popular profiles were created using LS-DYNA software. Similarities differences impacted at two relatively vulnerable axial locations are presented discussed. Lastly, respective durabilities for all compared probability analysis considers location, velocity, it predicts an in-service durability.