For over a century, Major League Baseball (MLB) players have relied on ash wood for their bats due to its unique combination of strength, flexibility, and light weight. However, an invasive pest known as the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has changed the game in more ways than one. This tiny, metallic-green beetle, originally from Asia, has been decimating ash trees across North America since its accidental introduction in the early 2000s.
The emerald ash borer larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients and causing the trees to die within a few years. As a result, millions of ash trees have been lost in the United States and Canada, severely diminishing the supply of quality ash wood needed for bat production.
With the rapid decline of ash tree populations, MLB and bat manufacturers have increasingly turned to alternative types of wood, such as maple and birch. Maple, in particular, has become the dominant wood for bats due to its hardness and density, which some players believe provides a greater “pop” on contact with the ball. However, maple bats are also more prone to shattering, which has led to additional safety concerns on the field.
The switch from ash to alternative woods represents a significant adaptation to the changing environmental landscape caused by the emerald ash borer. While MLB continues to explore different wood types and manufacturing techniques to ensure both player safety and performance, the impact of this small but destructive beetle is a reminder of how even seemingly distant ecological changes can reach into the heart of America’s pastime.
