Big Stick Date Code

[sportsnbikes]

If a big stick knob has the following codes on the knob, what would that designate?

4 91 B is on the top row.

059 0 is on the second row


Is the 91 for 1991?

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

Or is 05 for 2005? Since this player wasn't drafted until 1995, the only thing that would make sense is the 05. I did search this site and also Bird Bats but it doesn't show an example of how the codes would look.

[Birdbats]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

491B is the model number -- the B tells you it's a 34" professional model.

059 is the batch number. A low number like this suggests the bat was made very early in the year, likely in January as part of a team's preseason order.

The "0" would be 1980. In 1990, Rawlings/Adirondack switched to two-digit year codes (90). In 2000, the code was 00.

Are you sure the code isn't 059 00? Sometimes the stamping is real light and digits can be missed unless examined under magnification. Based on what you're saying 2000 would fit the player in question.

[Birdbats]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

Bird Bats but it doesn't show an example of how the codes would look.

You must have overlooked it -- an explanation of Rawlings/Adirondack bats can be found here: http://webpages.charter.net/birdbats...D/Rawlings.htm

I also have information about how batch numbers are assigned in this article about McGwire bats (it's down by the photo of the bat knob): http://webpages.charter.net/birdbats...rs%20guide.htm

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

Thank you so much. Yes definitely overlooked that one. Lol. I'm a visual learner.

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

491B is the model number -- the B tells you it's a 34" professional model.

059 is the batch number. A low number like this suggests the bat was made very early in the year, likely in January as part of a team's preseason order.

The "0" would be 1980. In 1990, Rawlings/Adirondack switched to two-digit year codes (90). In 2000, the code was 00.

Are you sure the code isn't 059 00? Sometimes the stamping is real light and digits can be missed unless examined under magnification. Based on what you're saying 2000 would fit the player in question.

The code may very well be 00. It's difficult to read as it's best up pretty good.

So with a batch number that low, it's a high possibility that bat was used in spring training.

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

And with the zero, it could only be 00, 01, 02, 03 or 04 as this player didn't play after 2004 with the team engraved on the bat.

[Birdbats]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

So with a batch number that low, it's a high possibility that bat was used in spring training.

I wouldn't assume that. If a guy has a dozen bats made in January, he may only go through one or two in the spring and have 10 in the bag for the regular season. There is some correlation between batch number and when the bat is used, but it's far from absolute. I'm sure there are pitchers who don't go through a dozen bats in an entire season and are still swinging January bats in September.

[sportsnbikes]

Re: Big Stick Date Code

Ok well thanks a ton. This is a huge help and I love your site. So educational. I am assuming that the other digit is underneath all the tar and dirt. It's not a piece I could likely photo match anyway.