A Word about 40K Bats - Babe Ruth , Ty Cobb, etc.

[murphusa]

One question you have not address in your thesis is, In what year did Hillerich start putting inch marks on their store model bats?

Are all decal bats pre 1911 professional models or where they offered as store models also and if so did they have inch marks

[BigJJ]

I am cracking up, don't you think I have written enough today

[BigJJ]

Prior to 1911, I believe that similarly branded decal bats may have been made for both store and for professional use, and that the differentiation between the two (store versus professional model) stems not from inch marks as they were not on either, but if it can be discerned, from quality of wood, bat specifications, use, and at times, store markings on the bat. Happy to receive additional information regarding.

[Shoeless Moe]

I'm a little confused on how a bat can be called a Professional Model, but not also considered Game Used.

I guess if the bat was pristine, no marking whatsoever then that would be the case.

But if a bat has visual use on it. How can Mears or PSA say, yes its a Pro Model, but no it's not Game Used.

And how much of a value drop would the exact same bat (let's say Ruth for example) would there be between 2 of the exact same bats, but one that has game use attributed to it by Mears or PSA?

[ruth-gehrig]

Others will chime in with more expertise than what I can tell you but its my understanding that a pro model was made to the players specs and a "game used" bat shows characteristics that can be attributed to that particular player.

[Shoeless Moe]

What are examples of characteristics (long word)

[earlywynnfan]

Ken Griffey Jr.'s spiral tape, Sammy Sosa's fat-taped knob, Pujol's tar patterns, Derek Jeter NOT putting his number on the end are a few examples.

Also it can be as simple as ball marks on the lefthanded side, but a righthanded hitter.

Ken