Martin Maldonado of the Astros is not permitted to use the unauthorised bat Albert Pujols gave him.
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After Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, MLB ordered Houston Astros catcher Martin to stop using an illegal maple bat.
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The maple bat Maldonado used is more likely to splinter into numerous pieces
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hence it was deemed unsafe and not for competitive reasons that the bat was banned.
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Albert Pujols, Maldonado's former teammate with the 2017–18 Los Angeles Angels, gave him the illegal maple bats.
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Players who began their careers before 2011, like Pujols, are grandfathered in to using these maple bats
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but not those who were promoted after the rule change, like Martin, who debuted in the main league in September 2011.
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Despite newer regulations and requirements, maple bats are still utilised throughout the league.
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