If you follow professional baseball, you may have noticed a small ink spot on some wooden bats. This "ink dot" is a requirement imposed by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB), but what is its actual purpose?

A safety measure, not a quality guarantee

Contrary to popular belief, the ink dot is not an indicator of a bat’s quality or performance. It is simply a safety measure aimed at reducing the risk of breaking into multiple pieces when a bat is struck by a pitch exceeding 95 mph. This standard helps limit dangerous projections of wooden fragments on the field.

The importance of wood type

Not all wooden bats react the same way to impacts. For example, maple, commonly used in baseball bat manufacturing, is more prone to dramatic breaks. This is why the ink dot plays a more significant role. On the other hand, yellow birch is known for its high natural resistance. This type of wood absorbs shocks better and tends to split rather than shatter, making the ink dot less crucial.

Why do some bats not have an ink dot?

Some professional teams worldwide use bats without an ink dot, such as Pro Select models. This is because they are often made from more durable wood, such as yellow birch, which offers exceptional durability and performance without necessarily requiring this visual certification.

B45 bats: a benchmark in resistance and performance

At B45, we use exclusively yellow birch, ensuring bats that are both highly resistant and high-performing. Our models are designed to provide the perfect balance between flexibility and power, without compromising durability.

In conclusion, while the ink dot remains a safety standard for certain types of wood, it does not determine a bat’s quality. Choosing a yellow birch bat, like those from B45, means opting for optimal performance and superior resistance, with or without an ink dot!

ABOVE: The ink dot is placed on the fibers of the tangential section of the bat.