History of the bat

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Posted By: Clint

I've included a link to the evolution of the baseball bat. I think it's an interesting read. I would like to hear other ideas or questions about bats as well as your pictures and any information not included. Here are a few different bats from the 1900-1920 era that are unusual. There's a double knob Lajoie, ball knob, and a mushroom bat.
http://www.stevetheump.com/Bat_History.htm

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I wonder what Goose Goslin's "Zebra bat" would sell for on today's market. Anyone know what happened to that bat? Does the Hall of Fame have it?

I haven't gotten through the whole article yet, but thanks for the link Clint...very interesting.

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Posted By: Clint

Dan, I wondered that myself.

I know Joann asked for a thread like this awhile back. I was going to write something but found this to be much easier. Maybe we can do a glove history next.

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Posted By: Mike H

Great post and read. I've always had a soft spot for mushroom and unusual knob bats. There are so many variables when you go back in time. Some of the earlier bats were made of lighter woods than ash or oak. The softness and lighter weight of very early balls made this practical. IMO it is difficult to beat the visual appeal of early bats with original patina, decals, and those interesting knobs and lathe marks.

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Posted By: boxingbaseballgolf33

great looking Spalding bat, I just got this Reach decal bat in July - complete with all decals - most likley made in the teens

Jimmy

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Posted By: Mike H

That is a dandy Jimmie. I don't know how those decals survived all these years, but they are stunning!

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Posted By: Jimmy

Thanks, the bat still has the finger print decals which is very rare and the bat is an autograph model Earl Averill Hall of Famer
- so it mostly likely is late 1920s or early 1930s looks older

Jimmy

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Posted By: John Harrell

Great post! A project of mine is exploring the history of the baseball bat and its evolution. I collect mainly 19th century odd ball bats, home made, with unusual knobs, rings, or markings or shapes. I have around 90 bats with around half being 19th century. Here are a few examples. Also, I have a question maybe someone here can answer. I have two town ball bats, one with both sides flat and the other oval shaped. Both have the letters PPR stamped into them. I'm wondering if this is a manufacturer's stamp. It appears to be as the letters seem to be machine stamped. Anybody have an idea about this stamping?

Anyway, here's a few pics of the types of bats I collect.

John

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Posted By: JimB

I have always been primarily a baseball card guy, but I just picked up my first bat last night in the Mastro auction.
JimB

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Posted By: Clint

John, do you have any ring bats? Would love to see them if you do.

Jim, nice mushroom bat. I've always liked the T3 of Fred Clarke, it's the only photo of a professional using a mushroom I've seen. It's also the same photo used on his t206.

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Posted By: John Harrell

Clint,

I have about half a dozen ring bats, maybe more. My goal is to write a book about the evolution of the baseball bat, showing different shapes, styles, and woods. I've been collecting info for about two years and hope to begin soon. Here's a pic I've posted before, an 1880's double x (XX) bat.



Here's a J.F. Hillerich ring bat that dates pre-1897, before J.F. Hillerich & Son.

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Posted By: Clint

John, if you need pictures of any of my bats let me know. You are more than welcome to use them. Look forward to the book.

Clint

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Posted By: John Harrell

Jimmy,

Your bat dates from the late 1930's, when Reach (Spalding) introduced the Resilite model, decal bats. Yours is a very nice example.

John

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Posted By: John Harrell

Clint,

Thanks for the offer. I'll probably take you up on that, as I get closer to the project.

John

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Posted By: Jimmy

John,

thanks for the info, I kind of figured it might be becuase Earl Averill played in the 1930s and it really did not look like any of the bats that I have seen from the 1920s or even early 1930s. When I think of Reach I always think it maybe older, but your right Spalding made many of the items and kept the brand name.

Take care

Jimmy

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

John, you are free to use any pics of my bats as well.