Mantle Bat LS with Harwich stamp under mantle signature

[bigfanNY]

Buddy sent me pics of a Signed Mantle bat with a Harwich stamp under Mantles stamped Signature. He recalls being told Harwich was a Cookie MFR. Anyone come across one before?
I already asked him to send a pic of the knob and will post when I get it.

[aelefson]

It is a college model bat. The knob will have a Mantle model number on it most likely. They are cool and an affordable way to get a game used bat (by a collegian) that is close to a real Mantle gamer.

Alan

[Mark17]

It is also from 1973-75, several years after Mantle retired. The knob probably has K55, possibly M110.

[bigfanNY]

Thank you both for your help. Makes sense I think he had Mantle sign it induction year so time frame makes sense. He will not be happy learning the Bat was not won in a Contest. But that is the way the cookie crumbles

[roarfrom34]

At a show perhaps 10-12 years ago I picked up a Mantle model bat (K55 on knob) from my alma mater (1960's labeling period) as a conversation piece:

[bigfanNY]

Well not everything google tells us is correct. If I type in Harwich college , Google returns with Hartwick college in NY state. Took me awhile to notice difference....But there is no college in Hartwick MA. And Hartwick is famous for a particular cookie. Label info says 73 - 75 so now my search is limited to how Hartwich and Mantle came together in those 2 years. Maybe the contest story was correct?

[bgar3]

Harwich is a long time Cape Cod League team, which is a top flight college league that still uses wooden bats.

[aelefson]

That is very curious regarding Harwich. I tried searching for 1970s Cape Cod League bats but I had no luck. However, I think you are right Bruce. I wish I could help. It is a cool bat regardless.

Alan

[bgar3]

Alan, yes a very nice bat, but I think the most likely explanation is the cape cod league team. In the 70’s a majority, if not all of top college players who were in that league came from colleges that used pro model bats of the highest quality with the college name either under the player, or in place of the player.
While another explanation is possible, this is most likely. I know players would keep bats from college and probably also from top summer leagues. I still have a couple, from college, not a summer league.

[pgellis]

Definitely Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.