As the emerald ash borer threatens America’s ash tree population, baseball bat makers ponder the future of their tree supply. Ash has been the dominant raw material for major league bats, though maple has risen recently as it is Barry Bonds’ favored source tree. Under the umbrella of a series of articles on climate change, the N.Y. Times raises the question of whether warmer weather will contribute to the decline of ash bats. The ash borer invasion may be aided by higher temperatures and a longer growing cycle for the tree could result in softer bats. But baseball will survive any bat material changes that may result.