I read the article in ESPN the Magazine and would like
to say I am sorry for your loss.   In my first year of
little league while I was pitching I was line drived
in the mouth and the ball knocked my two top front
teeth out.  Many people say it was just a freak
accident.  I am not sayiing I am against the use of
aluminum bats,  but there should be studies on the
dangers of the use of aluminum bats versus wooden
bats.  Surely someone is out there that can come up
with some reliable information.  Like the article says
kids are stronger and faster now then they were back
then and will continue to grow stronger and faster. 
In defense of the wooden bat if these kids are
stronger and faster why do bat comapanies continue to
make bats that are better each and every year???  One
simple answer to that.  Parents! Parents are willing
to pay the $200 to make their child hit the ball
further than little Joey next door. Every parent wants
their kid to be the best.  If your child is truly the
best athlete on the team then he or she will be able
to do it with a wooden bat!!!<P>

Robert