A federal judge has cleared the way for the city’s ban on metal baseball bats to take effect, denying a legal challenge to the law by a coalition of bat manufacturers, sporting advocacy groups, and coaches.

U.S. District Judge John Koeltl ruled yesterday that the City Council was within constitutional boundaries in creating the law, which prevents athletes from using metal bats at high school games because of safety concerns.

The City Council “could constitutionally make the legislative choice that promoting the safety of high school age students in competitive baseball games was more important than increasing performance statistics of those players,” Judge Koeltl said in his decision.

The ruling came as a major victory for supporters of the legislation, who have met resistance from the baseball industry, many in youth sports, and Mayor Bloomberg, who vetoed the bill earlier this year, though the council overrode him in April.

“It’s a great day for kids who play baseball in New York,” Council Member Lewis Fidler said.

The legislation is slated to take effect Saturday, just as the fall season of baseball begins. Numerous sports and industry groups have opposed the ban, citing a right of free choice among amateur athletes. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included the National High School Baseball Coaches Association, multiple bat manufacturers, a baseball advocacy group, coaches, and parents.

A spokesman for the plaintiffs, Trent Duffy, said no decision has yet been made about whether to appeal the decision.

The plaintiffs, who call themselves the Don’t Take My Bat Away Coalition, also raised issues about the implementation of the ban, saying it is unclear which bats are permitted and which would be banned.