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-   -   Legal Bat Tape (https://forum.officiating.com/softball/54172-legal-bat-tape.html)

CanadaGator Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:59am

Legal Bat Tape
 
I have 3 Mizuno Bats that the grips were worn so I stripped off and re-taped. There seems to be much controversy as to the method which I used for taping these bats and I'm looking for some input.

It's not that I am trying to cheat or anything, but this grip is comfortable for me. Here is how I taped the bats.

I went once around the handle and then pulled off a length of tape from the roll... Let it hang down and gave it a twist to create basically a rope like effect. Much the same as we would do for a hockey stick handle. Created a spiral once down the handle not exceeding the maximum length allowed for tape (actually about 9 inches down) and then not breaking the tape off of the roll went back up the handle covering the spiral.

Some are saying this is illegal and other say it's fine. Even had one umpire say that it was "An advantage for grip" and that it would not be allowed in his game. The rule book clearly states that "NO MORE THAN TWO LAYERS OF TAPE MAY BE USED FOR A GRIP", however there is nothing in the rule book stating that the grip must be flat or not have any texture to it.

Replies??

:confused:

NCASAUmp Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:07am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaGator (Post 617683)
I have 3 Mizuno Bats that the grips were worn so I stripped off and re-taped. There seems to be much controversy as to the method which I used for taping these bats and I'm looking for some input.

It's not that I am trying to cheat or anything, but this grip is comfortable for me. Here is how I taped the bats.

I went once around the handle and then pulled off a length of tape from the roll... Let it hang down and gave it a twist to create basically a rope like effect. Much the same as we would do for a hockey stick handle. Created a spiral once down the handle not exceeding the maximum length allowed for tape (actually about 9 inches down) and then not breaking the tape off of the roll went back up the handle covering the spiral.

Some are saying this is illegal and other say it's fine. Even had one umpire say that it was "An advantage for grip" and that it would not be allowed in his game. The rule book clearly states that "NO MORE THAN TWO LAYERS OF TAPE MAY BE USED FOR A GRIP", however there is nothing in the rule book stating that the grip must be flat or not have any texture to it.

Replies??

:confused:

I'll admit I'm having troubles picturing this. Could you post a picture?

Dakota Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:36am

He's saying he has one layer of flat tape on top of one layer of twisted tape, resulting in a taping that has ridges in it.

Not familiar with hockey sticks?? ;)

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto...e-Top_Full.jpg

NCASAUmp Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota (Post 617701)
He's saying he has one layer of flat tape on top of one layer of twisted tape, resulting in a taping that has ridges in it.

Not familiar with hockey sticks?? ;)

My name's NCASAUmp, not NCNHLRef. ;)

I personally would have no problem with this. There's no rule against taping in a way that results in a particular texture (with the exception of the type of tape allowed).

Dakota Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaGator (Post 617683)
... Even had one umpire say that it was "An advantage for grip" and that it would not be allowed in his game....

Yeah, that's the objective of the rule, all right... let's make sure everyone's bat is equally slippery! :rolleyes:

bellnier Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:47am

I'm not the OP, but here's how it looks for a hockey stick:

Howies Wholesale Hockey Tape

Most hockey players do this...never seen it on a baseball bat, though.

Oops...you beat me to it. Sorry.

NCASAUmp Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellnier (Post 617709)
I'm not the OP, but here's how it looks for a hockey stick:

Howies Wholesale Hockey Tape

Most hockey players do this...never seen it on a baseball bat, though.

Oops...you beat me to it. Sorry.

I have. Nothing wrong with it.

On a related note, there's an amusing debate on another forum about the safety knob. Follow it here.

NCASAUmp Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:50am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota (Post 617708)
Yeah, that's the objective of the rule, all right... let's make sure everyone's bat is equally slippery! :rolleyes:

Tom, I don't wanna know about your slippery bat. ;)

IRISHMAFIA Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:56am

Speaking ASA

The rule specifically addresses a "formed" grip secured by a layer of safety tape.

I would never even think about removing a bat for this type of taping as long as all other aspects of the rule were in met.

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 617711)
Tom, I don't wanna know about your slippery bat. ;)



:eek:

MTD, Sr.

bellnier Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:11pm

Dave - Thanks for the link to that previous post...5 pages to discuss 'knobs' and 'knob grippers'. It just doesn't get better than that. :)
-Dave

NCASAUmp Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellnier (Post 617721)
Dave - Thanks for the link to that previous post...5 pages to discuss 'knobs' and 'knob grippers'. It just doesn't get better than that. :)
-Dave

Oh, I'm laughing my a$$ off at these guys! :D

gdc25 Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:12pm

I can't believe I read through the whole thing.

I hate to admit it, but I know some of the guys that post there, and I think that next time I see them, I'm going go give them a swift kick in the thinker.

NCASAUmp Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdc25 (Post 619373)
I can't believe I read through the whole thing.

I hate to admit it, but I know some of the guys that post there, and I think that next time I see them, I'm going go give them a swift kick in the thinker.

Hope I'm not on that list. :)

MichaelVA2000 Fri Aug 07, 2009 06:05pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellnier (Post 617721)
Dave - Thanks for the link to that previous post...5 pages to discuss 'knobs' and 'knob grippers'. It just doesn't get better than that. :)
-Dave

Knob Grippers? That's way more information than I need.:eek:


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