Jobu Says: Only You Can Prevent EABs

Major League Baseball may have a serious parasite to deal with in the next few years. No, not Jeffrey Loria, this one's more serious. The baseball bats produced from Pennsylvania's ash trees have long been the weapon of choice for major leaguers, but are in danger of being wiped out by an invasive species.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles have been wreaking havoc in the Great Lakes region since 2002 and are gradually closing in on Pennsylvania's baseball bat industry. The beetles focus exclusively on ash trees, which are not only an attractive food source and nesting site, but have no natural defenses against EABs.

The beetles are native to Asia and are thought to have been introduced to North America in wooden shipping crates from overseas. EABs are most heavily concentrated in Southeastern Michigan, but have spread to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

The beetles have killed more than 20 million ash trees and have cost municipalities, nurseries, and the forest products industry tens of millions of dollars.

Baseball bat companies are stockpiling supplies of ash and harvesting some trees earlier than normal in anticipation of a severe ash tree shortage. Ash has long been viewed as the prime material for making bats, with an ideal balance of hardness and flexibility. There has been a recent shift to maple and other species, but about half of modern major leaguers still choose ash bats.

Authorities in Michigan have already begun collecting seeds in the event the species is totally wiped out in the region. Rising climate trends will only exacerbate the problem. A warmer climate will lengthen the ash trees' growing season, compromising the structural integrity of the tree and making it more vulnerable to infestation.

Large-scale efforts to eradicate the pest are underway, with state wood quarantines, artificial buffer zones, and the release of a wasp that preys on EABs. Universities are currently researching the beetle to better understand its life cycle and how to kill it. Some serious government funding is coming down the pipeline as well.

The best way to prevent the spread of EABs in your area is to not transport firewood from your home to other locations. Firewood is a common way for the beetles to hitch a ride and infest new forests. Also, if you think an ash tree may be infected, call it in. Below are some links with more info:

Interesting article on the beetle's impact on baseball and what's being done.

More information on EABs, where they're found, and how to identify them.

Because David Eckstein on a Hamster Wheel is Not an Option

Several Major League Baseball teams have made a commitment to include alternative energy and more sustainable practices in their daily operations. San Francisco, Cleveland, Colorado, and Boston are among the teams with installed or proposed energy projects. MLB has been working in cooperation with the Natural Resources Defense Council to assist teams in lowering their carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint refers to all the direct and indirect sources of harmful emissions that an individual or group produces. Direct sources may include vehicle emissions, while an indirect source could be electricity purchased from a coal fired power plant. A carbon footprint can be applied to an individual, building, or company.

In Cleveland

The Tribe dedicated a new solar energy array at Jacobs Field on June 29 this season. The array is located on the upper concourse overlooking Carnegie Avenue on the firstbase side. The 86 by 15 foot array is mounted on a metal awning structure, allowing fans to pass under the structure. It consists of 42 solar panels with a peak output of 8,400 watts, enough to power the park's 400 television screens during a game.

The total cost of the project was $180,000, with the team contributing $100,000 followed by the Cleveland Foundation ($50,000) and the Ohio Department of Development ($29,400). A $10,000 state grant and a 30% tax credit significantly lowered the cost of the project. "In terms of reducing our electric bill, this is not a huge first step. But it's a first step - and it provides an opportunity for people to start talking about solar and advanced energy" says Jim Folk, vice president of ballpark operations.

GreenEnergy Ohio will be staffing an informational kiosk at the site to answer any questions fans may have about solar energy or the project.

Around the League

San Francisco became the first team to take advantage of the new program by installing 590 Sharp solar panels around SBC Park. The panels should produce 120,000 watts of electricity at peak production, enough to power the main scoreboard for the entire season. The solar energy will be fed back into the San Francisco grid, off-setting the ballpark's own energy use. Solar panels will be installed in three locations on rooftops and above walkways in SBC Park, with a pending installation for the main scoreboard. Pacific Gas and Electric Company is assisting the Giants with the project.

In addition to existing fluorescent lighting, motion sensors (to turn lights off when no one's there), and energy management systems, the Giants installed a Diamond Vision scoreboard this season. The scoreboard utilizes 78% less energy than the old scoreboard.

Colorado installed a 10,000 watt array in their stadium and are discussing wind energy and lighting projects with Xcel energy. "It will save us over $12,000 a year on our electric bill," according to Greg Feasel, senior vice president of operations for the Rockies. The Boston Red Sox are also researching ways to integrate renewables and a recycling program into their organization.

According to Jim McHale, Major League Baseball's executive vice president for administration, a major initiative will be announced later in the 2007 season. The plan will provide teams with the tools necessary to start their own green projects and will try to inform fans on the importance of renewable energy.

Personally, I'm very excited about MLB's renewable energy initiative. Despite the many benefits of renewable energy like solar and wind, the technologies often require a jump-start to be successful. Solar and wind energy have the potential to off-set a growing energy need and provide a clean alternative or supplement to fossil fuel generated electricity. Start-up costs and public perception are the most common limitations on renewable energy projects, so the endorsement of an organization as large and visible as Major League Baseball is a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S.

The Jake's solar project is part of a larger drive to ultimately make Cleveland a greener city and bring new technology industries to the city to get the local economy up to speed. Hopefully, small projects like the solar panels at Jacobs Field and the 225 kilowatt turbine at the Great Lakes Science Center can act as a springboard for future renewable energy projects in Northeast Ohio.


Sources: GreenEnergy Ohio Press Release, 6/29/07
The Plain Dealer, 6/13/07
Renewable Energy Access, 3/29/07