MAPLE IS A NATURALLY HEAVIER WOOD AND VERY HARD AND DENSE. THE SURFACE HARDNESS IS ABOUT 20% GREATER THAN ASH. MAKING THE BALL BOUNCE OF THE BAT HARDER. ASH IS PROBABLY THE LIGHTEST WOOD THAT MAINTAINS ENOUGH HARDNESS AND DURABILITY TO BE USED FOR BASEBALL. BARRY BONDS IS ONE OF THE FIRST PLAYERS TO MAKE MAPLE WOOD BATS POPULAR..