BATTLE OF THE BATS: Parks & Rec Department takes on shaved bats with ‘Real Skills League'

There is no BYOB in this game.

Starting this year, there will be no bringing your own bat for a new softball league forming at Morgan Sports Center for the fall softball season.

 “Basically we’re taking the Men’s Thursday Night Rec League and turning it into a “Real Skills League,” said Nick Coleman, program coordinator for the city of Destin’s Parks and Recreation Department.

 “We’re drawing a line where no one will be getting an advantage,” Coleman said. “Everybody will be swinging the same bat, and everybody will be hitting the same ball.

“This way they will get to see what kind of skills they really have,” he said.

The change has come about because some players were not playing by the rules.

“It had been brought to our attention that folks were bringing in illegal bats,” he said.

In other words, bats were being shaved.

Coleman explained that when a person shaves a bat, they are cutting them down on the inside, creating a trampoline effect when the ball comes in contact with the bat. “It comes off quicker and faster,” he said.

It is also done to get more distance as well. He said in some cases a shaved bat could gain a player 30 or 40 extra feet.

“This will be a trial league,” he said.

Morgan’s will continue to offer the other leagues such as Tuesday Night Men’s where the players hit with their own bats and a Classic Plus Ball; Thursday Competitive League, and Classic M-Ball; and the Wednesday Night Coed League.

“This way we are offering something for everyone,” Coleman said.

“If they have just bought a new $200 bat, they can play in another league,” he said. “We’re hoping over time they will enjoy it.”

Coleman said some leagues have gone to using single-wall bats or wooden bats.

The bats, which will be provided and sponsored by Ron Hock Sports, for the Real Skills League are new composite bats. Each field will have at least two bats, maybe three, weighing from 26 to 28 ounces.

“By using our equipment, you know without a shadow of doubt it hasn’t been tampered with,” Coleman said. “A pitcher won’t have to worry if they are swinging a shaved or hot bat.”

The umpires on the field will be in charge of the bats. “He will have them at the backstop with him,” he said. And at the end of the night, the umpire will bring the bats inside the Morgan Sports office.

So far, the response for the new league has been split.

“You can flip a coin,” Coleman said. “We’ve got a team that is for it and thinks it will even the playing field. And we’ve got some that are disappointed and want to swing their own equipment.”

Basically, “We’re trying to put the rec back into softball,” Coleman said. “Rec is for the family guy who wants to come out, swing a bat and go home. We just want to make sure we give him an environment for it.”

Registration for the softball leagues is open until Feb. 17. First games will begin the week of Feb. 21.