After a local little leaguer suffered severe injuries when he was hit in the forehead by a line drive, those responding to an online poll were divided on whether or not the metal bats that Little League currently uses should be banned.
About 41 percent believe the Little League should ban metal bats, the same percent that believed they shouldn’t be banned, while about 11 percent were unsure.
Those responding were less inclined to think that the distance between batter and catcher should be expanded. About 51 percent of those voting said  that it wasn’t necessary.
Almost 26 percent voted that the distance should be expanded, and 23 percent weren’t sure. Here are some of the comments.
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“Get rid of the metal bats. There is no amount of money saved that is worth a child’s life. Wood bats are much safer.”
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“I was recently hit in the face with a line drive when pitching to a neighbor’s child.
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“Thank goodness I was wearing sunglasses; but it still left me with bruises around both eyes. What about pitchers wearing face masks like the catchers do?”
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“I think the League should make these determinations.”
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“Maybe it would be beneficial to look into safety helmets for pitchers that came into use after the Novato High School pitcher got nailed last year.”
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“May God bless Brendan O’Neil!”
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“Metal bats violate the tradition of the game and are banned in the professional leagues. Time to catch up!”
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“The game has been around for many years and incidents like these are few and far between. It’s tragic when it occurs, but we need to teach kids to protect themselves rather than just watch their pitch placement.
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“Teach them to get their glove up prior to the ball being hit, so that they can protect themselves. No knee-jerk reactions please — keep the game traditional.”
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“The only way to keep your son or daughter absolutely safe in any sport is not allow them to play.”
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“They don’t allow metal bats in major league baseball  so why should Little Leaguers use them? Wood is more traditional and safer.”