Slowpitch softball: Shaved Bats

[JMG]

Prayers for the injured man. But shaved bat or not, it's part of the game. Saw our shortstop blow a mans eyesocket out as well on a throw to first. Ugly.

[cajunguy88]

Let me start by saying I do not swing SHAVED bats, and don't care if others do. They should not be used in rec ball, but tourneys I'm cool with.

The answer is simple, let the leagues and tourney organizers supply the bats. Then all will be equal. Shaved bats aren't that much hotter than a good broken Miken Freak or Worth Mutant. In the right hands, any bat can be dangerous. But to say the guy got injured because the batter was hitting a shaved bat is retarded. A statement like that is usually made by somebody who doesn't play, or isn't good at the game. IF YOU ARE GOIN TO PITCH, YOU BETTER BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

If you are refering to me, I have played. I've played slowpitch and college baseball. So, I do just fine at the game. The guy hitting in the REC CO-ED League did not need a shaved bat to crush the ball. He has plenty of power already. These are D teams. Not A ball.

[wyliescrib]

what is a shaved bat and how is that helpful to the batter?

[LeanMachine]

what is a shaved bat and how is that helpful to the batter?

from my understanding, it is a bat with weight removed so that it may be swung faster.

[mgbuff]

what is a shaved bat and how is that helpful to the batter?

im pretty sure it makes the walls thinner which will allow it more flex that creates more "pop"

and my comments werent aimed towards the a ball or tournement players more to the co ed lets get drunk and have fun crowd

[vortech347]

from my understanding, it is a bat with weight removed so that it may be swung faster.

A shaved bat has had the end cap removed and the walls thinned either via a lathe or sanding.

It gives the bat more pop.

The sanctioning bodies (ASA, NSA, USSSA, etc.) have performance standards that say a bat has a maximum level of performance allowed and the bat manufacturers design the bats to meet these standards.

By shaving a bat you are making the bat perform beyond the max allowed standards which is cheating.

The standards are set to protect players from injury as much as can be done in a game that has some inherent danger.

If you have never hit a shaved bat then you don't know how much difference it makes. It's very noticeable. Typically it can add 10% or more to the speed that a ball comes off the bat.

Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to tell if a bat is shaved without a testing device specifically designed to test the bats compression. These test tools are not available at league games or even at most tournaments so players can get away with using shaved bats most of the time.

My own personal opinion. I think anyone that uses a shaved bat and causes an injury should be held liable for the injured persons medical bills.

If your not using a shaved bat or cheating any other way then injuries are part of the game.

But once you cheat then all bets are off.

I've swung them plenty of times. When you know half the bats in the other dugout are shaved too it's hard not to want to level the playing field.

But I wish we could make them all go away. It's not about being a pansy or lack of manhood. This is about safety for people that play a recreational sport and have to go to work the next day.

We don't do this for a living.

[BBRU]

If you are refering to me, I have played. I've played slowpitch and college baseball. So, I do just fine at the game. The guy hitting in the REC CO-ED League did not need a shaved bat to crush the ball. He has plenty of power already. These are D teams. Not A ball.

Wasn't referring to anyone in particular. Thats what I was getting at, shaved bats have no place in recreational ball.

[Strong Slinger]

Back when I was playing every nite, I played C, D, and E. Some were co-ed but most were just mens leagues. I pitched and played 3rdand took more than a few shots. I have taken a shot in the neck, got my ankle broke and several other injuries off of the Miken U2. I never blamed the bat or the player and I had some very heated rivalries with different players.

IMO, E league and D league co-ed is no place to use HOT high proformance bat. Just sayin

[nck]

If you use a shaved bat you need to go home and quit playing.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

If you use a shaved bat you need to go home and quit playing.

I guess I should've quit playing about 5 yrs ago when I had one I only used for home run derby's and outlaw games!

[target tease]

a shaved bat has had the end cap removed and the walls thinned either via a lathe or sanding.

It gives the bat more pop.

The sanctioning bodies (asa, nsa, usssa, etc.) have performance standards that say a bat has a maximum level of performance allowed and the bat manufacturers design the bats to meet these standards.

By shaving a bat you are making the bat perform beyond the max allowed standards which is cheating.

The standards are set to protect players from injury as much as can be done in a game that has some inherent danger.

If you have never hit a shaved bat then you don't know how much difference it makes. It's very noticeable. Typically it can add 10% or more to the speed that a ball comes off the bat.

Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to tell if a bat is shaved without a testing device specifically designed to test the bats compression. These test tools are not available at league games or even at most tournaments so players can get away with using shaved bats most of the time.

My own personal opinion. I think anyone that uses a shaved bat and causes an injury should be held liable for the injured persons medical bills.

If your not using a shaved bat or cheating any other way then injuries are part of the game.

But once you cheat then all bets are off.

I've swung them plenty of times. When you know half the bats in the other dugout are shaved too it's hard not to want to level the playing field.

But i wish we could make them all go away. It's not about being a pansy or lack of manhood. This is about safety for people that play a recreational sport and have to go to work the next day.

We don't do this for a living.

xx100

[muley4x4]

I guess I should've quit playing about 5 yrs ago when I had one I only used for home run derby's and outlaw games!

Keegan you hit me on 2nd that one time. It got me right in the thigh. Never saw the ball coming. It hurt just a little bit.

Thank goodness I've never been hit in the yohos. I don't want any teeth taken out either. By a stray throw. The umpire the other night asked why when I run to first 2nd 3rd why I put my hand up to my face. I told him beacause I saw a guy get knocked out by a throw. Every little bit helps! I now wear a mouth piece just for these reasons.I also Saw a guy a few weeks ago wearing a catchers mask pitching. Might just be a smart thing to do

[nck]

I guess I should've quit playing about 5 yrs ago when I had one I only used for home run derby's and outlaw games!

I was raised that cheating on any level and lying is one and the same. I teach the kids I coach in Tee-ball on up that it is wrong because I want them to grow up with good sportsmanship and the pride of having an honest win.


If your homerun derbys and outlaw games allowed shaved bats then more power to you, but if there was a rule against it then you should have stayed home.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

Keegan you hit me on 2nd that one time. It got me right in the thigh. Never saw the ball coming. It hurt just a little bit.

Thank goodness I've never been hit in the yohos. I don't want any teeth taken out either. By a stray throw. The umpire the other night asked why when I run to first 2nd 3rd why I put my hand up to my face. I told him beacause I saw a guy get knocked out by a throw. Every little bit helps! I now wear a mouth piece just for these reasons.I also Saw a guy a few weeks ago wearing a catchers mask pitching. Might just be a smart thing to do

Yeah...I remember that now! I was using a regular Miken Freak Plus which wasn't shaved or rolled. It was all natural!

[DorothyNotKeegan]

I was raised that cheating on any level and lying is one and the same. I teach the kids I coach in Tee-ball on up that it is wrong because I want them to grow up with good sportsmanship and the pride of having an honest win.


If your homerun derbys and outlaw games allowed shaved bats then more power to you, but if there was a rule against it then you should have stayed home.

Pfffffft! If you're calling me a cheater then you are TOTALLY wrong!

As far as lying, well there's a reason why it's called outlaw league where it was anything goes. The home run derby's are just that....home run derby! There weren't any rules against....

I can hit the ball hard enough and far enough that I don't have to "lie and cheat" to win!

Just ask anyone who's played softball with me...