Opinion piece, compiled by Trevor Rowse

Someone’s going to be hurt in top softball unless there are some restraints on modern equipment.
This is the view of Ricky Earley, coach of national champion Ramblers’ and of Auckland in two winning campaigns.
“Bats made out of new materials, plus the Easton ball which is as hard at the end of the game as at the beginning, are making it dangerous for pitchers especially,” Earley believes.
“And it is changing the game. The Black Sox do not need a short game, just going for the fence for home runs which often solo shots with no one on base.
“At one country tournament I had to warn a third baseman not to stand in close against Donny Hale. Moments later he ripped a shot which could have killed the young fellow.
“One half-hit shot from Travis Wilson’s travelled over the fence at the start of the season.

“Pitchers are vulnerable as they are the only players not fully prepared for the ball, having just pitched it and followed through. Even though they are taught how to protect themselves it is only to slow the ball down.”
Prominent Auckland pitcher Kyle Kouka is one who was struck by a fierce drive and there were 15 home runs by the Sox in the four games against Samoa, a far cry from the days when a home run over the fence was rare.

Without sounding like an advertisement for Easton bats, listen to the information from the 2005 brochure about the bat Paddy Shannon, Brad Rona and Stacey McLean use.
“Easton Synergy CNT Plus bat: Addition of CNT technology strengthens the composite, optimising strength. Designed for more handle flex, twice as much as aluminium bats. New 13.5 inch extended barrel. Longer barrel means equals longer sweet spot. Hottest 100 miles per hour performance. End loaded for maximum power. Ultra thin 29/32 inch handle with pro tack grip. Complies with ISA and ISF bat performance standards. Cost $599.95 ($600 in non-retail language). The $500 Stealth bat is made of scandium alloy and others of aircraft alloy.

“This bat is used by five Black Sox players and two White Sox.”
If they have them it won’t be long before every ambitious player is after one to create havoc in all grades.

To go on: “CNT is Carbon Nanotube Technology, which is the manipulation of materials on an atomic scale and it the next frontier in scientific research. Scientists worldwide are using this technology in the areas of electronics, medicine, robotics and structural reinforcement.”

This is not a criticism of the market forces which drive equipment manufacturers. They are using science and research to improve their products and keen players will use them, regardless of the consequences.

The problem is the humans have not had the same depth of protective materials and the fences are no further away. Catchers, already the most vulnerable from foul tips, have all sorts of gear from full helmets to chest protectors, leg guards and modern mitts with special foam to counter the spin put on the pitches. Will pitchers have to use the same things?

So the answer must lie in ball design, making it harder to hit long distances to balance out the bat speed generated.

This is already being done with some of the slow pitch softballs so that every pitch is not lofted over the fence.
And the loss of the short game will change things for fans, already bored with slow matches and too many breaks. Home runs are not enough.