No, probably not.
The Axe Bat is more than a Frankenstein-style meshing of an axe handle and a baseball bat barrel. The key lies in the batâs final few inches near the handle. That's where the design gracefully curves from the standard round shape to a asymmetrical oval before tapering to an angled knob at the end.
The results, as reported in a recent study (PDF) by UCLA engineering professor Dr. Vijay Gupta, show that the Axe Bat is more comfortable, delivers more power and speed, and reduces injuries when compared with traditional bats.
With pitchers throwing harder than ever, the batters can compensate only by swinging sooner, or generating more bat speed. Of course they're already generating more bat speed, because they're stronger and they're probably somewhat more proficient, technically. But generating even more bat speed might allow them to wait for just an extra split-second.
Hey, it's worth a shot. With the exception of bionic eyes -- connected to the brain by a bionic optic nerve -- it's hard to figure how the batters will keep up, let along turn the tide, in the coming seasons. Not without some help from Baseball's Tenth Commissioner.
