Wood Bats

[Baseball=Life]

Well, my $10 twig, I mean bat, finally bit the dust after probably a year. I doubt I'll find such value ever again, not counting free bats.

So, I'm on the market for a bat. I guess I'll read my own post about where to buy them, or I could do some internet shit like the rest of you people. Nah, I need to be there to actually feel the bat before buying it.


Oh, and don't you love how, with the advent of Golden Gate Field, this DeFremery/HR issue is basically a non-issue now? You guys realize that the DeFrem game percentage is going to go way down in Season 3, right? In fact, there's a chance the Dec. 4 DeFremery game will be the last. [The Nov. 20 DeFremery game has already been rescheduled to Golden Gate.] I doubt it, though... I'll always have to include at least some very small percentage of the games at DeFremery.

[Southpaw Slim]

Not only that, but think of the kids in the neighborhood. I mean, Nick C. can make it to some of the games at C.F. or G.G. if he can get a ride from his mom, but what about Sterling and Sean? We need to at least play some games with those guys. I wonder what they have to say about all of this. I guess Sterling's old enough to start driving now, and they could always take the 72R to the field. Hell, what am I saying? Golden Gate is awesome (minus the fact that there's heavy pollution with it being directly adjacent to a major traffic artery.)

[tallguy]

Of interest to wood bat owners may be my discovery last night: a superb product for removing scuff marks from wood bats is the Mr Clean Magic Eraser. They somehow get into microscopic crevices and can remove even the ingrained scuffs that alcohol or other solvents will not.
Note: they have to be dampened to work at all, so you must not use then on bare wood, only lacquer or varnish or whatever. Presumably they work well on metal bats, too.

[Baseball=Life]

Hey, I just got back from West Coast Sporting Goods in San Leandro. It's 9 miles away from Lake Merrit. Their inventory makes Big 5, Copeland's, and even SportMart seem like a pile of puke in comparison. See the directions below. Again, a quick drive from Lake Merrit in Oakland.

I was informed that they have a huge yearly sale in the first week of February---so mark your calanders.

Directions to West Coast Sporting Goods:

Take 580 toward Hayward. Exit Grand. Continue straight onto Delores. Left on East 14th. Go down 3 lights--it is on your left hand side. [13720 E. 14th --- 510 351 6644]


Those are the directions to the main store. They also have a separate warehouse with even more selection. From the same Grand exit off 580, continue straight onto Delores. Take the same Left onto East 14th. Take a right on Castro. Cross over/under BART. The warehouse is a big orange building at 1855 Alvarado St, which intersects with Castro. NOTE: They have different hours than the store on East 14th. Call ahead to make sure the warehouse is open 510 357 8149

I didn't check out the warehouse yet, but at the store there are millions of gloves, bats, etc. There were several wooden bats of all types and sizes, though they were pretty much all 39.99 and up.

[the wolf]

You can get bats over the internet at all price levels. The better sport shops lik West Coast in SL carry quality bats. The bats you'll find in the stores for 29$ and under are low quality ASH bats, meaning they will flake, crack and break easier. To get a pro quality/model Ash bat you'll pay about 50$. Maple bats are the hardest bats around and what most major leaguers are using. They are strong, durable have a very tight grain pattern (which makes them strong) they will not flake. They are not cheap though! They start at 70 for A-Bats, Diablo Bats and RSP's and Xbats are 90 and SAMBATS are 125-140. George Brett owns Brett Bats and his bats are very good and they are 50$ and come fiberglass wrapped for added strength. You can find deals on Ebay on overstocks and the bat manufactuers also have blems they sell on their websites. You can also order directly from the manufacturer and have a bat custom made for you with the handle, barrel length and weight and color to your specs they will also engrave your name on the bats.

Wood bats come in about 10-15 different models, ad you can select the shape based on the type of hitter you are or the feel of the bat. Most people use a 271, a 243. My suggestion go to the store fins the shape you want then get online and buy a better quality one that will last. I have played in a very competetive wood bat league for several years and have used the same bat for two years.

Check out A-BAT, Diablo Bats, XBat, RSP Bats, Brett Bats, Cheasepeak Thunder Bats, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Easton all have websites.

My 2 cents

[Baseball=Life]

Damn, this guy sounds like he really knows about Bats! That was easily the most useful post by a guest so far. Have you played with us, who are you?

I wish I had a more long-term perspective and would therefore be willing to invest in a higher quality bat. I do realize that my cheap short-term bats add up over time.

That's a good call to find out the exact specs you want, then order from sources you mentioned online. My fear had always been to order something I hadn't handled, that it wouldn't feel right. But if I know the exact specs, it should be fine.

Thanks again.