Via Larry Brown Sports:
Joba Chamberlain left Game 4 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Orioles in the 12th inning after being hit on the elbow by a broken bat.
The Yankees reliever rolled in his first inning of work and was looking to pitch a second inning when he was hit. Chamberlain’s second pitch to Matt Wieters splintered the Orioles catcher’s bat, and a large chunk went flying to the mound where it hit Chamberlain in the elbow.
X-rays on Chamberlain’s elbow came back negative, and the team says he has a contusion.
It’s hard to say if his early exit cost the team, but the way he was pitching he could have gone two or three innings. That may have delayed David Phelps’ entrance into the game. Phelps took the loss after surrendering two doubles in the 13th.
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Original Story:
In college they use aluminum bats exactly this reason. And sure they do not use aluminum in MLB because the greater power of the hitters could kill someone with a line drive as aluminum generates greater power. However, with todays science they could easily create a composite that replicates the power generated by a wooden bat without the cracking or flying missiles which disrupts play and injures players and fans. If MLB does not do it now. Perhaps they will do it after someone loses an eye. Get with it!