Decorah Viking baseball team raises money for entirely new baseball bats

When you attend a Decorah Viking baseball game this spring, the game could sound a little different to you.  That's because the Vikings will be using all new bats in their games.

Viking baseball coach Dennis Olejniczak says the switch was necessary because of new standards imposed by the National Federation of High School Athletics.  The group was worried that the aluminum bats being used by high school teams we4re too lively, making it dangerous for fielders, especially pitchers and third basemen.  So the NFHSA set new standards for reduced potency bats.  Olejniczak says the switch was "the right thing to do."

But the switch, which will affect all Iowa high school baseball teams, meant all the existing bats owned by the Vikings could not be used.  The team decided to hold a raffle to raise the money needed to buy new bats--over $9,000.  Olejniczak says the Decorah community responded well and the team was able to buy the new bats, which can cost up to $350 each.  "I'm happy with our kids and our community," he says.

The newer, less potent bats will cause changes in the igh school baseball game, however, says Olejniczak.  There will be fewer home runs, he predicts, while bunting and hit and run and stealing and base running will become more important.  "The premium is you let you entire nin man team play defense," Olejniczak also notes.

The Viking baseball team begins competition one week from Monday at Lansing Kee High.  It will play its first home game later next week--and a drawing will be held for the winners of the baseball bat raffle.