The ping is less noticeable this year.
In an effort to make metal bats perform more like wooden ones, the NCAA instituted new standards for non-wood baseball bats effective Jan. 1.
But the Gators don’t seem to mind the change.
UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said his team has adjusted to them well this offseason.
“Those guys got a chance to hit the ball out of the yard still, regardless of what bat they’re using,” he said. “We feel good with them. They all swing the bat pretty good right now.”
As a result of the new NCAA standards, the bats have a smaller sweet spot, which is expected to curb run production this season.
According to the NCAA, offensive numbers have been on the rise the last four seasons, specifically in home runs and runs scored per game.
The national average for runs per game has increased steadily during that span from 6.1 in 2007, up to 6.98 last season.
But decreased offensive outputs shouldn’t be a concern for Florida.
UF tied for 27th in the nation in home runs last season with 83 and were 76th in runs scored with 439, averaging 6.86 runs per game — just below the NCAA average.
“The guys who could hit are going to be successful, and the guys who have power are still going to have power,” O’Sullivan said. “But it is going to change the game somewhat.”
While the bats are expected to lower run totals, the new standards are meant to decrease the speed at which a ball comes off the bat, which could change the approach some players take at the plate.
Second baseman Josh Adams said he expects to see more teams try to bunt for hits because of it.
But according to O’Sullivan, Florida won’t change its approach this season.
“You still got to coach your team with the personnel you got,” O’Sullivan said. “We have some speed at the top, we have some speed at the bottom. We’ve tried to recruit some power. … We’re not going to change our offensive philosophy just because of the bats.”
Instead of worrying about the changes in the bats on offense, Florida hopes the new standards will pay dividends for its deep pitching staff and defense, where the Gators thrived last season, ranking sixth in the NCAA in fielding percentage at .978.
“We’ll have a lot more ground balls … because guys won’t be trying to hit the ball out every time,” Adams said. “Other than that, our pitchers are probably going to carve a lot of people up this year.”
