Authenticating bats
 

Hey everybody....

I posted a question somewhere, but seem to have forgotten where and cannot find any responses, so I figured that I would post here and perhaps someone can lead me in the right direction.

I have never really been a bat collector, but there are some bats that I may potentially be interested in, but I am trying to understand the "authentication" process that PSA/DNA (Malta/Tauble) use (or anyone else, for that matter).

How reliable is this "process"?

Of particular interest would be how they know the standard lengths / weights for a player. If it is side-written, is that the typical gold standard? How are factory records used to make certain that there are matches... where does photography come in?

I want to feel comfortable, but I have a heavy bias for not being sure.... and there is one bat that I am potentially interested in that has the name of one player, but it being billed as a gamer for another player (due to side writing).

Any help is appreciated to get some good references would be appreciated.

good questions
 

In my opinion, the process is fairly reliable if you know how to interpret what the evaluators put into their letters of opinion / authenticity. Of course, I haven't been very active lately, so I'd like to hear what those who keep up on these things are thinking.

The go-to book is Vince Malta's Complete Guide to Louisville Slugger Professional Player Bats (2007). It seems to have become scarce. It would be good for those who want to promote to hobby to get it back in print.

http://https://www.amazon.com/dp/097...tag=goooman-20

(And I like the side-writing!)

Thanks!
 

Thanks Mark.... wow, that is scare... $200 for a book issued a few years ago. Do you happen to know of any on line sources or board posts about the topic? Thanks again for the help here.

Al

Before the Malta book came out, this book by Dave Bushing and Dan Knoll was considered helpful and was often consulted:

http://https://www.amazon.com/Mastro.../dp/0971609705

Over the years, I learned a lot from the Mears Online site. I don't know what they charge to be a member these days, but I learned from browsing their records of authenticated bats.

http://http://mearsonline.com/

I would love to hear what others recommend.

Thanks again Mark! Any other thoughts out there?

That is, indeed, a great book to own. It has most of the HOF'ers bat records in it, along with explanations of side writing, pro stock, etc. if you're patient, sometimes you'll see them pop up at $40 or so. Can't tell you how many times I use mine

I believe that a lot of the records of the bats the players ordered from the manufacturers are known, so experts often know the number, size, weight, make, etc that a bat a player ordered during a time period. An authenticator can look at a bat and say it matches up with the specific specifications that a player ordered.

Thanks guys... I guess I will wait to see if one of those books pops up at a reasonable price!

Thanks guys... I guess I will wait to see if one of those books pops up at a reasonable price!