Bat Trainers Tape Issue/Problem

[Swoboda4]

Today I reorganized my game used bats and found that some bats that had trainers tape around the handle had now dried out; I actually heard it crack as I gripped them. They look fine, and the tape appears to be tight around the handle; but my issue is to preserve the original appearance. There is also some unraveling on others. The tape is the 1 1/4", off white trainers tape from 1999-2000.

Is there anyone with similar issues? Would you gently glue the unfastened tape? I understand the "Rodney Dangerfield answer" then don't touch it, but there has to be a modern method to preserving the drying tape.

[metsbats]

Robert,

I have a lot of bats from 1999-2000 and many with tape handles. Most of the tape is still intact. I do have a one or two with tape which is coming unraveled but only at the end. I'd prefer to leave it like that as long as it does not get worse.

David