T-Ball coach sends out a list of equipment for the parents to purchase... $$$

[gabester]

Local little league just required everyone to change their bats from last year. New type has some kind of "softening core" to prevent extra-hard shots that hit the pitcher... I was surprised to learn that several children die every year from taking a pitch in the chest right on the heart area. Tragic; and not something you'd want to happen to anybody's kid... so while my gut says "toughen up, these things happen" it makes sense; while my gut says these pitchers need to accept the risk... if this protects them, and keeps the game more interesting because hitters can't knock it out of the park as easily, so be it.

Now, for 4 year olds, that seems a little excessive. Any old bat should do!