These two well-regarded bat manufacturers merged in the 1940s to form Gray-Nicolls.

In his first day in a Mets uniform, he was hoping no one would notice that the bat manufacturer had spelled his last name wrong: Alomr.

Mr. Oddo, like representatives of athletic organizations and bat manufacturers, said that he had not come across similar legislation anywhere in the country.

Soon after, bat manufacturers introduced a bat with a composite handle and alloy (aluminum) barrel.

The N.C.A.A. ordered bat manufacturers to modify their designs to meet a new lower-performance standard: bats that are heavier, with a smaller barrel.

In 1995, bat manufacturers introduced bats made with yet another new aluminum alloy, called C405.

Officials at the N.C.A.A. said they trusted bat manufacturers to abide by the rules and trusted the standards and tests that measured bat performance.

Part legislative and part voluntary, it has fostered an ardent debate pitting coaches against school administrators and bat manufacturers against sports safety advocates.

"The bat manufacturers say there is no way to prove that these players wouldn't have been hit if the batter had been swinging a wood bat instead," Thurston said.

Councilman Oddo said he was gratified by the vote in support of the ban and criticized the bat manufacturers.