Old Hickory bat code info

[tigerdale]

Maybe this is general knowledge, not sure, but I thought i'd post it anyways. This is a reply I got from 'old hickory' customer service regarding the meaning of the serial numbers put on starting in 2009...

On the Porcello bat, and all pro bats starting in 2009, the serial number breaks down like this:

The first number is the year (starting in 2010, this will change to the first 2 digits), the next two digits are the month the order was received and the last 3 digits are the work order number. After the hyphen, the letters are the players initials and the number is the exact number of that bat for the particular order. In the case of the Porcello bat (905161-RP3), the order was received by use in May of 2009, the work order was 161 and this bat was number 3 in the order.

[5kRunner]

Great Info! Thanks for posting that Dale.

[grenda12]

Great information. Thanks for posting.

[tigerdale]

Here is a little update on the Old Hickory bat codes as explained to me...
The LDM refers to the bat being a “Low Density Maple” bat. Starting with the 2012 season, MLB is requiring either an “LDM” or “LDMX” inscription on all low density maple bats. “LDM” will appear on bats from players that signed their first MLB contract prior to the 2011 season and the “LDMX” inscription appears on bats of players whose first MLB contract was in either 2011 or 2012.
The “LDM” players can actually use a lower density maple than the “LDMX” players. It is MLB’s way of grandfathering in some of the bats that older players have been used while trying to limit the “high breakage” models for younger, newer players.

[gorilla777]

Thank you Dale, appreciate the update on this

[Dach0sen0ne]

I'd also like to add if the bat is missing the players initials and bat number it is most likely a promotional bat used for autograph signings. I've included a pic as an example.

[woodbat]

Attached are a couple photos of a unfinished maple Old Hickory bat of Matt Williams.
Matt was drafted by StL in the 15th round of the 2011 MLB June amateur draft. He was assigned to Johnson City in the RK league and then went to the Quad Cities River Bandits in 2012 at the A level. As far as I can determine this was the end of his MLB career.
This bat is labeled 020412-MW1.

Based on what you all posted concerning the first two digits indicate the year of manufacture, I am uncertain what these first two digits on this bat indicate, 02?
The next two digits, 04, are the month the order was manufactured (April)?
The last 3 digits are the work order number 412?
After the hyphen, the letters are the players initials MW. The number 1 is the first bat manufactured for order 412?


Would appreciate any information on this, thanks.

woodbat@bellsouth.net

[tigerdale]

Like all codes & such, there is always variation. This was a sample bat done for Matt, so the serial number is the actual date 02/04/12.