Legal Bat Tape

[CanadaGator]

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??

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by CanadaGator

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??

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

[Dakota]

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??

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

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]

Originally Posted by CanadaGator

... 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!

[bellnier]

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]

Originally Posted by bellnier

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]

Originally Posted by Dakota

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

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

[IRISHMAFIA]

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.]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

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

MTD, Sr.

[bellnier]

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]

Originally Posted by bellnier

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!

[gdc25]

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]

Originally Posted by gdc25

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]

Originally Posted by bellnier

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.