Bat Ban Gets Federal Boost
August 28th, 2007
Next week high school students gearing up to go back to school will have to leave one piece of sporting equipment at home: metal baseball bats.
A federal judge upheld a metal bat ban approved by the City Council earlier this year, contending the ban was within the council’s power to protect the health of residents, especially adolescents. The ruling, given by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl, rests on the council’s presumption that balls go faster and farther with metal bats, which could exacerbate the risk of injury.
Several metal bat makers and high school sports associations brought on the suit.
The ban was part of a crusade by Council Minority Leader James Oddo , who would no doubt find today’s ruling a clear victory.
The ban had been vetoed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and deemed “dumb” by The Post. But, either way, the council persisted by overriding the mayor’s veto and seeing the ban through.
By Courtney Gross on August 28, 2007, 2:15 pmIn category: Education,Gotham City,Health,Law | Comments Off on Bat Ban Gets Federal Boost