Seriously, people are sue happy and (*#$*^#*&#$ing stupid

[Limewater]

I think metal bats should be banned, but that's because of their increased danger level and because I don't like their sound/feel.

<snip>

The problem, of course, is that too many people can't figure out this difference and thus do ban "dangerous" things so they don't have to deal with complaints or suits from those "without two neurons," as you put it. This is ultimately laziness on the part of those who enforce the ban, though.

These two paragraphs do not appear to go together.

[dsheinem]

I think metal bats should be banned, but that's because of their increased danger level and because I don't like their sound/feel.

<snip>

The problem, of course, is that too many people can't figure out this difference and thus do ban "dangerous" things so they don't have to deal with complaints or suits from those "without two neurons," as you put it. This is ultimately laziness on the part of those who enforce the ban, though.

These two paragraphs do not appear to go together.

Ok, smart guy. I'll explain: the difference is in the quotation marks.

I genuinely believe research indicates that metal bats are dangerous and should be banned.

On the other hand I also think that too many things that are not really dangerous but are seen as such (thus "dangerous" in quotes) are banned simply so that businesses, schools, towns, etc. can avoid red tape and frivolous lawsuits.

[the7k]

This reminds me of a warning label I saw on a chainsaw at Lowe's once.

"Do not operate near genitals."

[vash23n]

Hell, some customers are just plain stupid (or, perhaps, genuinely mentally handicapped) and need to see the warning. Remember, most warnings and rules are put in place to protect the less intelligent members of our society. I don't have a problem with this, as it really doesn't inconvenience the rest of us...

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. It's the same thing as the gradual cutting of fun kid activities because one kid gets hurt. We can't save everyone, and we shouldn't save everyone. Let nature take it's course and weed out those who lack survival skills. And yes, some are just unlucky. That's the way the world works. Bring back dodgeball and stop awarding people for not having two neurons to rub together.

It's not the same - warnings are not the same as bans.

I think metal bats should be banned, but that's because of their increased danger level and because I don't like their sound/feel.

I don't think that hot coffee or dodge-ball should be banned because they are relatively safe, but I think that both should come with fair warnings.

I seem to recall my parents signing waivers and what not for me to participate in risky activities or sports when I was a kid - that waiver functioned as the warning. Waivers/warnings are sufficient - banning would be overboard.

The problem, of course, is that too many people can't figure out this difference and thus do ban "dangerous" things so they don't have to deal with complaints or suits from those "without two neurons," as you put it. This is ultimately laziness on the part of those who enforce the ban, though.

Yes, my parents signed a waiver for me to participate in any sport I was a part of. Good point. I do disagree with your idea regarding metal bats though. I agree that, I like the sound and feel of a wooden bat, but it is just not practical for a kid to use a wooden bat that may break and have to be replaced. I am a big hockey fan and player. I can couch that, back when wooden sticks reigned, it was awful to have to replace a wooden stick over and over again because it broke during a game. I think that must be the idea behind it and I can understand. As far as being more dangerous. A baseball hit with a bat, whether wooden or metal, is going to move fast. I can understand that a metal bat will move the ball faster, but will it result in a more likely chance of death than a wooden bat? Perhaps it would be better to change the material of the ball to foam. Or maybe kids should wear full padding. I think that baseball is a sport and sports are dangerous no matter what material the various pieces of equipment are made of.

[mako72]

[Hobie-wan]

Ok, I was trying to stay out of the can of worms I unleashed by posting it while pissed off, but I've calmed down a little.

If baseball players know than an aluminum bat has a bigger sweeter spot and hits the ball harder, wouldn't they choose to use one for the is very reason unless the feel put them off too much? Common sense would dictate that faster means a better chance of a home run as well as stinging more when caught and being more damaging to whatever it might hit. Now not everyone has the recommended daily allowance of common sense, but no amount of warning labels is going to change that. Who chose aluminum bats for the kids to use? If there was a warning on the box the bat came in or a sticker would they make sure that everyone read it? Should there be a warning on wooden bats too since you can hit a ball hard enough to kill someone with them too if you do it just right? Do we stop just shy of plastic wiffle bats?

If the family had maybe talked to the bat maker and worked to help spread awareness or ask for extra warnings, fine. But they sued. Everybody wants to sue these days. If an architect drops a pencil at say a construction site and it impales someone a few floors below, do you sue the pencil manufacturer for making a mechanical pencil with a metal point because "a wooden pencil would have broken, not been as sharp, and not gained as much momentum since it doesn't weigh as much", or do you make sure that everyone is more careful in future.

Anyway. Its terrible that a kid died doing something that people consider to be safe. I still feel that its a dangerous sport with large heavy objects being swung around, hard balls hurtling through the air at high speeds, and accidents are just accidents sometimes. People need to use some common sense, be careful, and take some responsibility for their own actions and the situations they place themselves in.

[Inazuma]

People are fucking idiots. A baseball bat is designed to hit a ball hard and fast. The sport of baseball involves people hitting balls around the field. Everyone knows there is a chance you can get hit by a ball and potentially injured by it. I am completely blown away that this asshole family could get away with such an insane lawsuit. They are the scum of the earth and are on the same level as real murderers. Fucking disgusting.

[lisalover1]

Will this family let their other children that they have/will have play any sports ever again?

They're probably signing them up for skydiving as we speak.

[dsheinem]

I am completely blown away that this asshole family could get away with such an insane lawsuit. They are the scum of the earth and are on the same level as real murderers. Fucking disgusting.

A very reasoned and rational point of view as always, Izzy.

[Incognito D]

Debbie Patch said, ""We came into this not knowing. We were just hoping to prevail is all - for Brandon. This is for Brandon, and for the other kids on the field."

lol lies.