Firm’s hoping for a real home run with tougher bat; Betting on rock maple instead of traditional ash

The Toronto Star

www.thestar.com Saturday, March 29, 1997

Firm’s hoping for a real home run with tougher bat; Betting on rock maple instead of traditional ash - By Kelly Egan “It began with a question at an Ottawa pub in the spring of 1996, from a baseball scout to a wood-smith: Why can’t they make a baseball bat that’s won’t break? Ottawa resident Sam Holman… set out to smack an engineering curveball.” Sam Holman: “If you’re going to solve a problem that’s existed for 100 years, you have to come up with a different solution.” “Breaking into the big leagues will not be easy, particularly since baseball is a sport that takes its traditions seriously. …about a dozen bat makers have been approved by major league baseball, and all use ash."