Replies

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 25, 2008 05:20am | #1

   The prefered wood is ASH. Yes I have turned a couple of bats . Norm Abraham did one a few weeks ago on his lathe 101 class on PBS. I would like to turn some for my grandsons but their league only allows aluminum bats, no wood ones, what a shame. Hickory might be a second choice.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jan 25, 2008 03:19pm | #3

   Dear Mr. Bird,
   ONLY ALUMINUM???!!! What kind of wimpy league is that??? :-) I know that things have gotten silly, but my goodness! I played when the first aluminum bats were coming on the scene and they were basically sawed off flagpoles. They were as heavy or heavier than their wood counter parts. Easton was the first company to make "light" aluminum bats. It was a big deal when they created a "balanced" bat i.e.: 34" x 34 oz. Personally I never liked the aluminum bats and always used a wood bat. Even when I coach I make the kids start out with wood bats in the spring. That is an experience. No batting gloves, a bit chilly (here in CT), the first time they hit the ball off of the end of the bat, they begin to understand what I mean by "feel". As mentioned the preferred wood is ash, although there are some maple bats out there as well. I am not sure about hickory, but it might work. I always thought that it would be interesting to make a corked bat, with say, superballs (ala Graig Nettles) or a laminated bat. Best,John

   Edited 1/25/2008 7:23 am ET by Jmartinsky

2. 
   BossCrunk | Jan 25, 2008 03:03pm | #2

   I ran across some company on the 'net that sells turning blanks for bats. Do a search, they're probably still around. I can't remember the name of the co.