As a result of the ongoing investigation on the use and risks of maple wood bats, minor league baseball has issued new rules on bat wood type and specifications. With the much publicized shattering of the maple bats, this is not surprising. The minor league took the first steps as the MLB players association did not have to approve.
Noteable:
Existing bats can be used. (I wonder how long any of these bats will stay intact)
Silver and Red Maple bats will be completely eliminated from production.
Wood quality studies on the grain of maple bats has helped to reduce shattering.
Maximum diameter of the barrel – From 2.75 inches to 2.61 inches
Minimum size of bat handles increased about 1/50th of an inch.
Feel safer sports fans…
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
mlb network was televising a game on Friday between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. I don’t know what kind of bat Jay Bruce was using but he checked his swing on a 2 strike pitch and the bat snapped in half on the check swing.
The rule, as I understand it, only applies to the minors. So if Bruce was playing with the Reds, the rules stay the same. Also, any existing bat will be grandfathered in. Let’s see how long that supply lasts!