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That Sosa you gotta love him, he's a real " corker ". Cork: transitive verb - to furnish or fit with cork or a cork. I wonder what his batting average or home runs would be sans cork? What a freakin shame! JonR

... I don't, nor would I ever, believe that one could not know the difference between a corked bat or legal bat - especially a professional baseball player!!!!

- funny how not too long ago I read an article to the effect of how "Sam" was the baseball version of Tiger Woods and how "Black America" indicated that if "Sam" had been "other than Black" he would have received much more media coverage - let's see how much media he gets now after this scandal....

... it's pretty sad where the media creates such a hostile environment by virtually promoting segregation and always 'insinuating' that there is more to the story than what there really is. Hopefully if “Sam” (name changed to protect the innocent) is guilty – he’ll come clean and stand up like a man and take the consequences in stride. Otherwise, he’s no better than “OJ” or “JJ” in my book. Also – when (if) convicted/charged (whatever) … what group is going to take credit for his existence now? This’ll be interesting to see …

I'm sure he's broken a bat or two before sans cork.
The cork not only makes a bat lighter, but provides an added ability of the bat to transfer energy to the ball on impact. Sort of like the rubber core in a golf ball. He could use a lighter bat, but that would make it a smaller bat with a reduced sweet spot. Corking gives the same dimensions as a heavier bat but without the weight.

I think, of course, he needs to be punished for his cheat. They shouldn't fine him though. That has no effect on a player of his income level. Hold him out for a dozen or so games and that'll send a stronger message than a few $$.

It's said that the good hitters know where their corked bats are at all times ...

'fraid it IS so

Heres the skinny on corked bats...

A 3/8 inch diameter hole, or bigger if desired, is drilled from the barrel end down thru the sweet spot, roughly 10 inches. Cork, pieces of rubber balls, or whatever is packed into the hole, sealed with wood putty and sanded down as to not show. This is to presumably make the bat lighter and add a substance that allows the ball to come off the bat quicker and travel farther

In truth it does neither!

Studies have been done on corked bats and it was concluded that the process does not alter the speed and distance of a struck ball. In fact, it weakens the bat and makes it prone to shatter as did Sammy's.

Bat corking is psychological. Baseball palyers are the most superstitions athletes around. Hell, some rub chicken bones on thier bats, a process called, yes, "BONEING". Some will wear the same skivies for a week if they think its what got them out of a slump.

Peace out
BD

I agree with 7 to 10 game....if no other corked bats are found. If there are more (they confiscated 76) His reputation, accomplishments, and respect are gone.

I think they should suspend him for 15 to 30 games, this is the only way to make it effective, as the money only hurts if it is big!

His home run marks will always be tainted by this little indescretion. Do not buy that line, "They all do it", because they all do not! This is a bad situation that must be dealt with in a stern manner.

Charlie

I don't believe Sosa's excuse, or his excuse on why he had a corked bat in the first place. You know the difference because you reach for the bat you always use.

Also, I do believe many players use steroids too. Just my opinion.

Baseball is one of the most statistic driven sport and these guys will do alot to pad their statistics.

choner

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2003/06/04/cork_physics_ap/

I think that they should check the bats used in the "historic home-run" season with Mark McGwuire, that are sitting in the Hall-of-Fame!

"You have a slightly lighter bat and you're going to hit the ball a little less far," said retired Yale professor Robert K. Adair, the author of "Physics of Baseball."

Don't believe everything you read... Force = Velocity * Mass. That's Fizzicks. Lighter bat = more Velocity, if anything it's a wash, but maybe they can get to the ball better because they can swing the bat faster and getting to the ball better = a good hit, just right = longer distance? Dunno, but I do know that Force = Velocity * Mass...

I don't buy either of those two professors theories. If what they stated was a fact (proven) then there is no reason for baseball to make a loaded bat illegal.

Hogwash. Okay...how many of you college grads out there have had (countless?) professors feed you their philosophy. You, (knowing they are off track) have to buy into it, and regurgitate it so you get a passing grade. If you challenge their philosophy, figures, theories or research, you will get slammed and may not pass.

I think and hold the same regard for the two professors here. They are physics professors. Probably never spent a day understanding all the intricate details about baseball, the swing, the velocity and kinetic energy transfer and how an individual can change all those figures by his hitting technique.

Did these professors take into account the spin and velocity of a baseball? I bet they did all their figures based upon the energy transfer of a baseball being struck by a moving bat traveling in the opposite direction... no spin, no batter technique...just sterile figures. Did they take into the account the rubber filled chamber dampening the spin, converting it into kinetic energy of its own and adding that to the formula?

A lot of companies put a lot of research into bat construction. Based upon the physics professors S.I. quoted, all the research that DeMarini spent on their core designs and double walled construction of their aluminum bats is wasted.

Loaded bats are illegal in professional baseball for a reason. They just don't make a batter feel better. They actually have an impact on bat speed, hitting distance and reduction of the variables of a pitched baseball.

IMHO -

Impulse & Momentum (Center of Mass)

Velocity + Spin of a baseball following the impact with the bat are what determine the trajectory of the ball.

To increase the distance of a hit, the parameters of the impact have to be changed.

The ball’s velocity must be increased for the distance of the hit to be increased - so to accomplish this – one way is to increase the speed/velocity of the bat at the point of impact.

- start swinging earlier (may miss the ball)

- put more energy into the swing and minimize rotational inertia.

The latter comes into play when “corking” = simply placing a lighter material in the core of the bat and reducing it’s mass; thereby minimizing/reducing rotational inertia. Ironically, putting nothing in the bat would be even better (reducing mass even further).

Rules are the bat must be 100% wood; hence, corking is not legal. Ironically enough though, you’ll notice some wooden bats have “hollow ends” … which actually reduces mass in the most effective spot – away from the center of rotation. AND – you can also “shave the handle” – but this has it’s own problems as it weakens the bat and makes it more difficult to grip.

Reduce mass = reduced rotational inertia.

- Increased Velocity at impact + larger mass of bat over ball = increased velocity ball after impact.

BUT - Sammy KNEW the rules and BROKE them - for that reason alone - I think he should lose all Baseball Records that how now holds and have to reimburse the team his salary; use that money for charity or whatever - but that SOB was desperate to get back into the game and make up for lost time.

Is drinking & driving illegal all the time or only when you get caught?

What if you were sooooooooo drunk that you didn't realize that you killed someone the night before... does that make you NOT responsible for your actions?

How many MILLIONS of dollars does this idiot get paid?

For that kind of $$$$ - you'd think he'd be smart enough to pick the right bat ... bottom line is that he DID have a motive to get his HR's back up to par for the season as he was just back from sitting out how many games due to the toe injury? Also - what in the hell is he doing with a corked bat in the first place anyway? I say BS - he knew better - he is responsible for his actions and if I were allowed to prosecute the SOB - I'd have a plea-bargain on the table where he'd have to disclose "who" corked the bat for him in the first place. Better yet - let's just make all the players in the league sign an affadavit that they will NOT own a corked/illegally modified bat to begin with - NOR will they 'borrow' one for use from anyone else ....

- something like a prenuptial agreement with their contracts ... if you "F" up - you LOSE EVERYTHING !!!

INTEGRITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED OR WE WILL HAVE NOTHING TO MEASURE US AGAINST OURSELVES

... someone with an addiction?

- alcoholics KNOW they should quit -

- druggies KNOW they should quit -

- compulsive gamblers KNOW they can either pay the mortgage & feed the kids or take the chance on losing it all -

- it's a RUSH - an addiction to fame & fortune - cheat to be the best -

Face it - that guy has a problem ....

I knew it was only a matter of time before "Race" was an issue ... I plugged that post at the start ...

Ok, last time. Corked bats dont help you much.
How do I know this?? TRIED IT! Yes folks I did my own comparison years ago. The corked bat didn't even feel right on contact. No greater distance. Yeah it made the bat a little lighter, but a ball travels farther if you can get a heavier bat thru the zone, even at a slower rate of speed. You can do all your mass x shlemeezles divided protracted veriables times 3.14. Ball didnt go any farther. In fact hit more balls over the 300' fence with the non corked bat.

Its all in the head

BD

An asterix (*) is often used to denote the multiplication sign.

Corked bats DO help the batter.
Hollow bats would be best, but they break too often. Corking them helps eliminate the breaking.

Hollow items are more rigid than their solid counterparts (in flex, not compression) Why? Because the hollow core creates twice as many walls to bend.
Copper wire bends fairly easily. Copper tubing of the same diameter does not.
Now, wood is a different animial, but the concept is the same. Plus, the bat is lighter which allows for better timing.
Even though ballplayers are superstitious by nature, they would never risk suspension for a remedy that was only in their head.

Also, Sammy would not ever use a different weight bat in BP simply to make the fans gasp in awe. It would be like a basketball player practicing 8 ft freethrows.

And what would be the likelyhood of Sammy shattering the corked bat on the "first time" he ever used it?

Sammy is good for baseball. I'm glad they found nothing else. But now Sammy has to pay.

I think he may have gone to the corked bat due to his recent inadequacies at the plate. He may not have used one to hit his amazing historical figures, but we'll never know.

"An asterix (*) is often used to denote the multiplication sign."

I did not know that. Thanks for clearing that up. I was used to a dot and the x but I guess I never did math via keyboard either. Thanks Gator.

Jose is simply looking to sell his book.

I've seen no less than three interviews with him over the last couple months where he alluded to "Major" wrongdoings and "Shocking" truths behind the game. He then calmly denies any request to elaborate, simply saying "it will all be in my book".

He's a washed-up has-been who could have been one of the truly greats. Now he'll be filed in the baseball index next to Eddie Gaedel. Nothing more than a sideshow freak whose 15 minutes lasted too long.

Tailgator and JonR I agree with you on Canseco as he had the opportunity to be something really big and special, but blew it in everyway possible, and now he hops on anything that can help him sell his book. What a POS.

Charlie

MLB Gives Sosa Eight-Game
Suspension for Corked Bat
Slugger to Appeal Decision

.c The Associated Press

CHICAGO (June 6) -- Sammy Sosa was suspended for eight games by Major League Baseball for using a corked bat.

The Cubs slugger will appeal the suspension, said Jim Hendry, the team's general manager. The appeal will make Sosa available for a four-game series against the New York Yankees.

"We support him in his appeal," Hendry said. "We have no reason to believe it was anything more than a one-time incident. We will support him and his right exercise and appeal."

The appeal had to be filed before Friday's game so he could play.

BD,

Actually a corked bat does help. I thas been scientifically proved that a corked bat will hit a ball further than a solid bat. You cannot deny this even if you did try this out yourself. You did one or two or three experiment(s), whereas the baseball "scientists" have tried this numerous times with each result indicating that it does help carry a ball further.