Jim Rice bat on ebay

[justinlm24]

Any thoughts or opinions on this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/JIM-RICE-RED-SOX...1%7C240%3A1318

[MSpecht]

Interesting bat---

documented in Rice's personal H & B records as B298 / 36 in / 34 oz / Walker finish. The order is for 12 bats and is dated 2-1-80, which, with the 1977-79 center label, would make it a transitional bat manufactured immediately prior to the "new label" introduced for 1980-83 period. This is a rare Rice model in that a B298 was only ordered by Rice that one time. Shortly thereafter, on 4-2-80, the model was modified a bit and became model R212 as follows:

"Made new model B298 same as 288RJ Bando model new model number R212."

Also of interest is that over the next two months, Rice modified the model twice more, creating the new models R213 (6-11-80) and \R214 (6-19-80.)

Good Luck

Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[karamaxjoe]

Mike,

Did Rice ever order a HB C270, 36 inches during 1980 to 83?

[MSpecht]

Hi Mike--

Yes--- orders of model C270 during that period are dated as follows:

7/22/81 36 in / 34 oz / Flame Treated finish / 12 bats

8/19/81 36 in / 34 oz / FT / 23 bats / wide grain / to BB Miscell presumptive for personal pro use due to specified weight

Good Luck
Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[karamaxjoe]

Thanks

[justinlm24]

Mike,

So are you saying this bat is legit in your opinion or no? I couldn't really decipher your opinion from your post

[karamaxjoe]

Mike is trying to say the ebay Rice bat matches factory ordering records and had a very small order run. Whether it's legitimate or not is in the eye of the beholder. It looks like it has some nice use and my Rice bat has the same missing piece on the back.

Mike, can you comment on exactly when HB transitioned into the new label? From what you're saying, a lot of 77 - 79 labeled bats were used for the 1980 season?

[MSpecht]

Yes, that is what I was trying to say LOL--- a match of factory records with a limited number of bats in the order. Personally, I would be very comfortable with this bat.

Regarding the specific transition date of different labeling periods, there is no certain way to pinpoint the transition between labeling periods. There are many authenticated and documented bats that either 'over-step' or precede what would be commonly thought to be a label period marker. The best one can hope for is that, now and then, a single, unique order is found in some player's records that can be exactly pinpointed to an order date that provides some insight based on its label. That is the case here. As Rice's order of this model B298 is specific and unique, and bears 1977-79 labeling, it is a documented example that shows that 1977-79 labeling was still being branded on bats as late as 2-1-80. Had the new 1980-83 labeling already begun by that time, and was there a period of overlap? Possibly, but in this case the only sure way to determine that is to find a unique order of bats in a player's records that pre-dates 2-1-80 and has the 1980 "new label."

Mike jackitout7@aol.com