Game used bat reference guide

[skyliner59]

Lookin for a guide that would inform readers of what model, size, etc. type bat a player from the 1960's + 70's would have used. Non HOFer. Any help would be appreciated.

splayford1@comcast.net.

[JimCaravello]

There is not a guide that has been published that includes every non HOFer and their specific ordering records. The following three books are available in the market that contain some of the higher profile common players info. They are:


AMERICA'S BAT
The Mastro Net Guide
BATS - written by Malta, SpechtGoing off memory, as I do not have the three books in front of me:

America's Bat has a lot of players listed and highlights the most frequent model they ordered - not a lot of detail here.

The MastoNet Guide includes different models and value ranges - I believe it also includes weight and length info but not for specific models / specific time periods.

Bats includes different models but includes years and details weight and length for specific models and years.

You can find these books on ebay sometimes. The MastroNet book is available through their website and maybe MEARSOnline?? The Bats book is not published anymore - sometimes you see it on ebay - or post a wanted ad on this site - someone may have it - same for the America's Bat book............

If you are looking for info on a specific player, please post the question under the Shipping Records section of this Forum - as we have over 300 detailed records in house and we might be able to answer your question on a specific player request.

Let me know how else I can help. Thanks! jim

[MSpecht]

Here are a few options for you, of varying degrees of assistance.

First, and the earliest written guide, would be the book BATS -- PROFESSIONAL HILLERICH & BRADSBY AND ADIRONDACK 1950-1994 (Vince Malta, Bill Riddell, Ron Fox, and Mike Specht) that was completed and published in July, 1995 and debuted at the St. Louis National that year. The book was the first all-inclusive resource available to game used bat collectors. The information in the book, including information on H & B and Adirondack models for many non-HOF players, was gathered from a Who's Who of Bat Collecting at the time, including, in addition to the authors, such people as Dave Bushing, Steve Terman, Michael Montbriand, John Taube, Stanley Kesselman, and Zane Burns. In addition to the resource it provided at the time, the publication of the book was instrumental in uncovering the Holy Grail for bat collectors, the Hillerich & Bradsby factory records This book, long out of print, can be occasionally found on Ebay at a reasonable price, now that Vince Malta's second book has been published.

Second, in 2001 In 2001, Dave Bushing and Dan Knoll authored the MASTRONET REFERENCE AND PRICE GUIDE FOR COLLECTING GAME USED BASEBALL BATS. This reference is currently the most widely available reference book in the hobby that includes information on non-HOF players. . It contains similar information as BATS, some presented in a slightly different format, and includes additional specific information on individual players' H & B models used during their career. The book can generally be found on Ebay for approximately $30.00. One of the major distributors of the book over the years has been Zane Burns, who may still have some remaining inventory of the book.

A year or two later , AMERICA'S BAT was published by a former H & B employee. This book is impossible to find, however information from it is occasionally used on this forum for "very" non-HOF players. this book lists the single most ordered H & B model, with length and weight, for over 1300 current and former Major league players.

Last year, Vince malta's COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE TO LOUISVUILLE SLUGGER PROFESSIONAL PLAQYER BATS was published with the complete H & B records for HOF players. It is currently available on the Game Used Universe home page.

Aside from written guides, Game Used Universe provides the most comprehensive information available referencing not only individual players' use of models from specific bat manufacturers, but information regarding their individual player characteristics as well. Not only do I and Jim Caravello respond to those questions, but invaluable information (particularly relative to current players) is provided by Brian Hillerich of H & B. Additionally numerous niche experts in such areas as St Louis Cardinals bats, New York Yankees bats, Mark McGwire bats, Cal Ripken Jr bats, and on and on also offer their assistance. A recent question on Fred McGriff bats posted several days has already generated a primer for anyone collecting McGriff--including models, photos, and game use characteristics.

Good Luck.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com (Jackitout7@aol.com)