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porsche544
03-02-2006, 03:05 PM
Hi Forum Members,
Can Someone Help Me Post The Mears Batting Criteria's A1-a10?

Thanks
Gerald

Birdbats
03-02-2006, 04:16 PM
You can review the grading criteria at Mears' Web site -- here's the link:

http://www.mearsonline.com/services/bat.asp

Jeff
http://www.birdbats.com

porsche544
03-02-2006, 04:22 PM
Jeff,
As always, thanks for your assistance.

Gerald

porsche544
03-02-2006, 06:26 PM
Need your opinion. Most jerseys and bats on Vintage Authentics have a rate of an A5 from MEARS. SHOULD I BE AVOIDING THESE JERSEYS?

sammy
03-03-2006, 12:10 AM
If you are worried about a MEARS A-5 grade, check out this Babe Ruth bat in the current Mastro auction that ends tonight.

The current bid is 58,899.00. Add the 17.5% vig, and the price jumps to 69,206.00 for a MEARS A-5 bat.

http://mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=55550&CurrentRow=1 (http://mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=55550&CurrentRow=1)

A lot of these items have had points deducted from the initial grade for various reasons, condition, etc., thus bringing the final grade down to a 5.

trsent
03-03-2006, 01:37 AM
Need your opinion. Most jerseys and bats on Vintage Authentics have a rate of an A5 from MEARS. SHOULD I BE AVOIDING THESE JERSEYS?

Bats:


A5: Authenticated Bat with Noted Evaluation of Usage and/or Player Characteristics
Factory production details of the bat have been compared to known records and have been determined to match recorded length (+/- 1/4"), weight (+/- 1 to 4 ounces), model, and correspond with proper labeling period from point in examined players career.
Use characteristics & player traits have been examined and bat has been determined to be "from the bat rack" with no visible signs of use. Player traits may be present such as a uniform number, but no additional points are awarded. (In cases where this grade was obtained because of subtracted points, those reasons will be clearly noted on the "Bat Grading and Authenticating Official Worksheet").
In the case of non-traditional manufacturers, there are many documented cases of players using these brands and therefore should be considered professional models. Photographic analysis, based on information examined from the Louisville Slugger vaults, has revealed Major League players use of Hanna Batrite, side written Kren, and Zinn Beck professional model bats. The exact use may or may not be specifically attributed to an examined player due to incomplete or lack of factory records. When a bat, known to be issued for professional use, but factory records cannot be verified, is assigned the A5 designation, it possesses qualities and physical characteristics of a professional model bat intended for professional use, was issued to professional player or team, or was similar to those models available for retail sale. In these instances, when the player traits of known examples are examined and matched to those of the bat being evaluated, it will receive a grade of A5. Bats that fall into this category include hand turned Hanna Batrite with patent stamp on knob, Zinn Becks, Hillerich & Bradsby 250 models, 40Ks, as well as other professional model bats. Exclusively retail store model bats are never graded by MEARS. (if present, negative-use traits will documented on the "Bat Grading and Authenticating Official Worksheet".)

Jerseys:

Jersey's dating from 1987 and earlier
A1 - A8: This grade reflects a cumulative evaluation resulting from documented subtractions of 2 full points or more. All reasons for subtraction will be will be diagramed and noted by the defined point scale.
Post-1987 Jersey's: The highest grade a post-1987 jersey can obtain without team or player documentation, or verifiable provenance, or a combination of known distinct player specific traits is an A5.

A5 Manufactures characteristics of the jersey have been compared to known authentic examples and match all criteria. Each piece is also evaluated on the degree of evident use and wear, which must be consistent with that of the player, sport, position, field of play, and duration of use. The degree of wear will be measured from minimal to heavy and the jersey cannot exhibit negative, missing, or incorrect manufacturers traits or use characteristics. When team or player provenance is lacking, wear can be measured, but not attributed directly to examined player. Without reasonable and verifiable provenance for post-1987 Hall of Fame or period star player jersey's, the A5 designation may still be assigned if the jersey possesses all the qualities and physical characteristics of a Major League jersey that was manufactured for player use or as an extra for a team or player, or one that may have been made available for retail sale or promotion. For jersey's assigned the A5 grade, use and wear will be described, but not verified.
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Now, to answer your question, should you bid?

Use the criteria above and make your own decisions, it is your money. Also, always do some homework yourself. Not everyone is perfect, but I know most try hard.

sammy
03-03-2006, 10:28 AM
The Babe Ruth bat graded MEARS A-5 in the Mastro auction that ended last night sold for a total of 72,666.70, which includes the buyer's penalty.

A MEARS A-5 grade on this bat, in my opinion and based on the final selling price, would be a very good indication that the bat was actually made for and used by Babe Ruth.

jboosted92
03-03-2006, 04:57 PM
the Idea is to look at the starting grade as well... Ones that start at A5 mean:

A5: Authenticated Bat with Noted Evaluation of Usage and/or Player Characteristics

I have a Ty Cobb bat that went from an A5 to A8 due to significant usage.

Such things as chipped knob, dings, and lack of a picture/factory record (40k) knocked it down a bit. But all those things dont change its original starting point of an A5.

Where you get A2's and A1's is where things get a little more chancey, as noted in there description.

Some have suggested that there be a Provenance Grade, then a Condition Grade...

Like An A5 and an A6 for each...