Checking bats? what to do?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

You did fine. Look for the BESR or BBCOR markings and the 2 ends. Make sure there are no flat spots or cracks and set the bat back in the batter's hands. Should take all of 30 seconds.

Thank God we won't have to deal with this crap any more in FED games.

Ozzy! How have you been, brother. Glad to see you're still able to sit upright and take nourishment.

I was hoping some of the "baseball" guys would chime in here and talk about some of the ways these composite bats can be altered. Like the gentleman that made the OP here, I'm not so certain I'd know how to recognize a subtle alteration if I were to be challenged to do so.

Tim.

[MikeStrybel]

Great questions. As others said, the markings are critical and cracks are usually obvious. Though composite bats don't ring like a wood bat when cracked they do sound different when bounced handle end against the plate. You can feel for flat spots easily enough too. I tossed a bat this season that had been the designated 'bunt bat' by a college team. It was heavier than normal and flattened enough to deaden a pitch. The catcher caught it when he picked up the bat to toss away and asked me to check it. The HC pleaded ignorance of course.

Look for tar or other contaminants above the legal length. I don't understand why they put pine tar on composite bats but some do and it is ugly when the ball hits it.

Check only what is necessary. I may have asked the coach what he wanted me to examine. If you can't satisfy him, ask the TD to help him understand. Good luck.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Ozzy! How have you been, brother. Glad to see you're still able to sit upright and take nourishment.

I was hoping some of the "baseball" guys would chime in here and talk about some of the ways these composite bats can be altered. Like the gentleman that made the OP here, I'm not so certain I'd know how to recognize a subtle alteration if I were to be challenged to do so.

Tim.

You can cork wood bats and shave the metal ones. Properly done you can't tell, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

You can cork wood bats and shave the metal ones. Properly done you can't tell, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Looking at the link below, I see what you mean about how we can't tell if the bat has been altered. I had no idea this was becoming such a problem in leagues such as mens softball, for example.

This in an interesting read for a dreary and rainy Sunday morning.

Bat Doctoring


Tim.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Looking at the link below, I see what you mean about how we can't tell if the bat has been altered. I had no idea this was becoming such a problem in leagues such as mens softball, for example.

This in an interesting read for a dreary and rainy Sunday morning.

Bat Doctoring


Tim.

The black Ultra II is the most common bat used in Senior Softball. You can look on eBay and find Miken Freak decals and ASA 2004 certified stickers. Plus, people that will shave and alter the appearance of the bat.

The certificate is now engraved into the bat, but that can be sanded out and painted over. The first Ultra II I bought was used and I suspect it had been altered. It finally started to show a break in it. I bought a new Ultra II, and it doesn't have nearly the same pop as the old one.

Cheating has gotten pretty rampant at these Senior tournaments. I don't know how well it is enforced. I went to one in Florida, and I saw one of the hotshot team's manager carrying a roll of stickers that were used to verify a bat that was checked.

If they ever ban the Senior bats, I suspect several will stop playing altogether.

[Steven Tyler]

There is a banner ad at top of one of the pages advertising bat rolling and shaving.

#1 - Shaved Bats Rolled Bats Bat Shaving Bat Rolling Service Company

Wow, an umpire/referee forum that endorses cheating..........

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

There is a banner ad at top of one of the pages advertising bat rolling and shaving.

#1 - Shaved Bats Rolled Bats Bat Shaving Bat Rolling Service Company

Wow, an umpire/referee forum that endorses cheating..........

Not exactly...most likely the link in this thread allowed the cookie to replenish itself as advertising in the banner. It has happened before for uniforms, equipment and videos.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Not exactly...most likely the link in this thread allowed the cookie to replenish itself as advertising in the banner. It has happened before for uniforms, equipment and videos.

I know. I just thought it to be ironic.