At one of my “nothing” lunches with friends this week, the conversation started with youth sports and morphed into a discussion of baseball bats. To me, a bat is a bat is a bat. Maybe I knew about the distinction between wood and aluminum, but at lunch I learned that there is oh so much more to them. Different lengths, weights, inner cores, and more. And the price! I had no idea that even youth bats could cost several hundred dollars!
But what surprised me the most is that bats die. After so much use, bats are considered dead and no longer suitable for use in a game. They may look normal, but players know that the bat no longer hits as it should.
Consider whether you have tools that should be declared dead. They may still be around and in use, but no longer perform at their peak. If kids see the value in upgrading a bat, maybe it’s time to consider replacing something you use to increase your effectiveness.

