Why minus points for proof of use???

[3arod13]

I think its important that collector's really understand how Taube and MEARS grade bats. Both of their sites have an outline of what each grade means and how they arrive at a final grade. If you are a bat collector, you really should review those sites when you are looking at ( 1 ) either sending a bat in for grading, or ( 2 ) are considering buying a bat with one of their COAs. Whether you agree with how they grade, is up to you as a collector. Collecting is very personal - and a bat that I may love based on use, etc., may not be something another collector likes. Sometimes too much use with deadwood and heavy - heavy cracks, will deter someone from buying the bat.

Personally - I can see how deadwood on a bat could reduce the final grade. My perfect bat is one that is uncracked and shows tons of tar and use without any deadwood. I have good friends who will return a bat immediately if it has deadwood on it. Others believe deadwood shows that there is a lot of use in the hitting area and love it.

I think what is important as a collector is ( 1 ) understand how MEARS and Taube grade ( 2 ) make sure you get more detail on the bat, such as deadwood, cracks, tape, tar, imperfections, numbers, atributes, etc. - find out the "details behind the grade", and ( 3 ) make a determination whether the bat is acceptable to you as a collector.

I don't always agree with Taube and MEARS on grades - and sometimes there are differences in how Taube and MEARS look at the same bat - but to me, I don't even look at the "number grade" a bat is assigned. I find out what is important to me about the bat and make the final determination on whether or not I want to buy the bat.

Jim

What is deadwood?

[bat_master]

What is deadwood?

From the MastroNet Reference And Price Guide For Collecting Game Used Baseball Bats by Dave Bushing and Dan Noll:

"Checking (deadwood): Refers to the grain separation, usually about the barrel, caused by repeated connections in the same area with the ball (or by dry and aging conditions). Raised wood is evidence of game use, as the wood separates due to contact with the ball on the bat's hitting surface."

Hope this helps.

[33bird]

Those McGwire bats look solid, especially the Card's bat. I wouldn't know what to grade them, but I'd be happy with both. So, it sounds like two different kinds of deadwood. 1. From repeated contact with ball. 2. From aging. I could understand getting a minus if it was from aging, but I still disagree with a minus for having deadwood from repeated contact with ball. I think Jim is correct. Just because Mears or Taube grade a certain way doesn't mean everybody agrees or has to accept the process. It all depends on what the collector is looking for. Some collectors like lots of use, where others are looking for an issued or light use gamer that is pretty. To each his own I guess.
Greg

[33bird]

I don't know if people love "cracks" on their bats. I don't. But, it is a good sign of use. I don't have a problem with cracks that lay flat. I have a Bench 1976 bicentennial bat that has great use and had an "eye sore crack" too in the mid-handle. I had Fred Lowman fix it and it's a beauty now. Another To Each His Own issue. Some cracks I'd have fixed, others I wouldn't. I like to be able to swing the bat without it sounding like it might break in two. If offered the same bat, one with a crack and one without, I would take the one without the crack. But, the point of the thread was: Why get a minus for a crack? I thought bats were graded to PROVE it was really used by said player? It sounds like they're getting graded for beauty points too, and some collectors are bothered by that-including me. Just my 2 cents.
G.Todd

[MSpecht]

Deadwood is basically separation of the grain of the wood often causing a slight raising of the wood surface caused (in terms of game use) by the repeated contact of a ball on the hitting surface, usually on the barrel area. If you tap the affected portion of the surface with the knuckle of your hand, you may hear a deadened sound, thus the term deadwood.Sometimes the deadwood is very slight, with only a small portion of the hitting surface affected. At the other extreme, large portions of the hitting surface can be significantly raised. This condition is generally evidence of professional game use on a bat, however can also be caused by extended periods of dry storage conditions.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[3arod13]

Deadwood is basically separation of the grain of the wood often causing a slight raising of the wood surface caused (in terms of game use) by the repeated contact of a ball on the hitting surface, usually on the barrel area. If you tap the affected portion of the surface with the knuckle of your hand, you may hear a deadened sound, thus the term deadwood.Sometimes the deadwood is very slight, with only a small portion of the hitting surface affected. At the other extreme, large portions of the hitting surface can be significantly raised. This condition is generally evidence of professional game use on a bat, however can also be caused by extended periods of dry storage conditions.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

As usual, many thanks for the help.