There have been several conflicting opinions regarding which cricket bat is the best. If you are planning to buy a cricket bat, your friends will be generous and forthcoming in offering you many tips. It is up to you decide on the right tips to follow before buying the cricket bat. You must be comfortable with the general feel of the bat and so make sure that the overall feel of the bat is acceptable to you before you.

Please know there are different models of bat available in the market for you to choose from.  Depending on your style of batting you must select the bat that suits your batting style perfectly as there are bats that have been designed keeping in mind specific style of batting adopted by various cricket players. The raw material used for a cricket bat is naturally grown and not manmade. A good bat is produced by expert craftsmen and they try to impart to the bat hard hitting power with durability. This is somewhat tricky as soft pressed bats tend to hit better but are likely to crack. The hard pressed bat is likely to last longer but the hitting power is limited.

Next in importance is choosing the correct size of your bat as the size of the bat can vary from player to player depending on their physical build and their favorable stance. Another important factor is to consider the willow used in making the bat.  Different types of willow are used for making cricket bats. But experts opine that English willow has been found to be the best willow for making cricket bats.

You should also make sure the weight of the bat is balanced or distributed along the willow. Many batsmen prefer bats that are heavier down below as it makes it easier to drive elegantly. Also make it a point to study the shape of the bat. The bat should be shaped something like a paddle with padded handle usually in cylindrical shape. There should be wider wooden block on one side and with a V-shaped ridge on other side. 

The weight of the cricket bat is a much debated topic among professional cricket players. Some cricket commentators say that constant usage of heavy cricket bat can lead to physical injury.  But this is may not be true as there are many well known batsmen who have been using heavy cricket bat with lots of success for a long time without encountering any physical injury. The best option would be to start off playing with a light weight bat and then switch over to heavier bat as you gain proficiency. You should also make sure the bat you buy has been knocked in properly. Some expensive bats come in pre-knocked condition but they are quite costly. 

Buying the best cricket bat is only one part of the story. What is still more important is taking proper care of your cricket bat so that the bat remains in proper working condition and serves for a long time. Regular oiling of your cricket bat is one way through which you can make your bat last longer. When you are not playing with your bat, store it in a proper place so that the bat does not get damaged in any manner. If you are still in doubt, then consult any senior batsman who is an expert in recognizing and buying good cricket bat. Please bear in mind that selecting a wrong bat can seriously hamper your style of play and possibly ruin your aspirations to become a great batsman.



By: Sarah Johns

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Whether you are part of the Little Leaguers, Senior Leaguers, college student's league or professionals, when it comes to baseball, the big questions that pops up is what kind of baseball bat you will use. And, if you really are a baseball player, you definitely know that the discussion is between aluminum bats and wood baseball bats.

One important piece of information you should know is that, in softball, little and senior league and college baseball, most of the bats are made up of aluminum. And yet, when it comes to professional baseball, players say that wood baseball bats are a must. You are now probably wondering what you should choose between these two baseball bat types. And that is why we are here, to discuss the pros and the cons of each type.

Nowadays, baseball bats can be purchased for as low as $25, but you can also buy more expensive $500 bats. A professional player will not choose a bat according to its price, and it all boils down to how he "feels" it. In the professional league, only wood bats are used, and Major League Baseball does not even allow corked bats. Most of the bats are made of ash, but maple, bamboo and hickory are also choices for baseball bats. Lately, more and more players gave up to hickory bats, as they are much heavier than the rest of the woods. Many are now opting for maple bats. Maple baseball bats are increasingly more popular because of its hardness and durability.

Some players also say that they prefer wood baseball bats because of the traditional look and feel. The sound made when the bat hits the ball is vastly different. They say a "crack" sounds way better than the "ping" sound of an aluminum bats hitting the ball.

But aluminum baseball bats are very popular too. They are often seen in all the different baseball leagues, except the professional ones. Why is this? Well, simply because a ball hit with an aluminum bat gets more speed. But this is a positive thing you might say. In fact things are not exactly like that. Due to the fact that they are lighter, a greater distance of the ball can now be achieved with less batter strength. And due to that, several players were injured. Due to the fierceness of the rebound of the aluminum bat, the reaction time of the pitchers is smaller. To prove this, in 1970, when aluminum baseball bats were firstly introduced, the batting average rose 30 points, and home run hits doubled. The game is simply not the same with lighter bats made from aluminum or other materials.

Overall though, buying a baseball bat is a personal decision. You'll definitely want to go with a baseball bat manufacturer that offers lots of customization so you can build the baseball bat most suitable to your size, weight, height and strength. Many also prefer to choose their colors and add a signature but few bat manufacturers allow such customization and personalization due to manufacturing cost factors. So if you are not a professional baseball player, you simply choose the baseball bat that suits you best.



By: Michael Shapiro

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Rolling your bat is done by rolling the bat through two rollers which will increase the trampoline effect of the bat. This will improve the batted ball speed by approximately 10%. This equates to 30-40 feet. One commonly used method that is used along with shaving is end loading. By adding weight to the end cap when it\'s removed you will change the balance point of the bat. This extra weight in the end allows the barrel get through the hitting zone quicker.

Bat Rolling Summary

Bat Rolling is done with a Bat Rolling Machine.  When you roll your bat you are breaking down the glue that binds the composite fibers that make up your bat. Rolling accomplishes what would normally take 300-500 hits on the bat. The advantages are you don\'t have to spend hours of batting practice and you eliminate the wear and tear on your bat. Bat Rolling is the preferred altering process as it does not effect your warranty and there is not way to tell the bat has been rolled.

Effect of Bat Doctoring

On average you\'ll see improvements anywhere from 5-15mph on the batted ball speed. This equates to 30-50 feet more distance. It doesn\'t stop there. The improved batted ball speeds will allow those infield hits get to the outfield quicker. When you shave your bat you are thinning the walls out and this will effect the durability of the bat greatly. It will also void the warranty of your bat and you will not be able to send it back should you have any issues with it. Rolling a bat does not effect the durability of the bat and you will maintain your warranty. For this reason I recommend rolling a bat vs. shaving. Most associations have rules regarding altering and we recommend that you contact them regarding the specifics.

Bat Doctoring Results

Generally, doctoring your bat will make it perform at a significantly higher level than it normally would. This allows you to concentrate on your swing vs. having to worry about swinging hard and maintaining the proper swing mechanics. A doctored bat will provide about 10% more batted ball speed and this equates to 30-40 feet of additional distance. In case you didn\'t know most higher level players have ALL of their bats doctored in some fashion. If you want to compete at a higher level you must have a doctored bat. It\'s like going to a gun fight with a knife.



By: Michael Wilcox

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Bat Rolling 101 - The Process

Most companies determine the maximum rolling pressure and start at that pressure. This is totally incorrect and usually causes durability problems and also potentially causes your paint to spider web prematurely. You should roll bats in 3-4 progressive compression points (depending on the type of bat). After you\'ve rolled your bat it will have approximately 200 passes through the machine. You should not heat your bat before rolling since it does not provide any additional benefits, in fact it actually hurts the rolling process.

Rolling does not shorten the life of your bat

Once you bat has been rolled it will have the same durability it did before rolling. It will however be performing at its highest level.

Roll your bat even if it\'s already been used



Even bats the have been used will benefit from our rolling process. Bats that have 300-400 hits on them are being rolled all the time and after the owners get the bats back they are will be very surprised with the results. In most cases you haven\'t properly broken your bat in and after a good rolling your bat will performance at it\'s highest potential.

Does my league consider it illegal to roll my bat?

This is one of the most debated topics around today. All we can do is give you the facts as they stand today. Currently rolling is legal in only 1 slow pitch softball association. This association (ISA) clearly state in their rule book that rolling is legal. In another association (ASA), they have recently adopted a bat certification process that requires all bats to be tested after they have been rolled. This ensures each bat that is certified by them does not exceed their performance factor after being rolling. I interpret this as rolling being legal even though it doesn\'t specifically say so. In USSSA, they do clearly state rolling is against the rules. My opinion is that rolling your bat is doing nothing more than taking 500 BP swings. You\'re just doing it in a more controlled fashion and in a shorter period of time. My advice to you is to check with your local association or league and find out what their stance is on this subject.

Types of bats that can be rolled

Any composite bat can be rolled to increase the performance. This includes Softball bats (Fastpitch or Slowpitch) and Baseball bats (2 1/4\", 2 5/8\" and 2 3/4\' barrels). Some people claim to roll Aluminum bats but it is not worth it since it does not improve performance at all on an aluminum bat.



By: Mike Wilcox

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Everyone Is Doing It

Have you ever been to a tournament and gotten beaten by a team that you shouldn\'t of? Well this is the norm nowadays. Almost every competitive traveling team uses either a rolled or shaved bat. Since early after the release of composite bats it was determined that they get better and perform at a higher level as they get broken in. A typical bat takes 300-500 hits to start to loosen up and perform at it\'s highest level. Once this was determined some people began using bench vices to break their bat in quicker. This was a bad way to compress a bat and people found themselves breaking bats by over compressing them. It was then that the bat roller was designed. It is a much better way of compressing your bat and breaking it in quicker. After a typical roll you\'ll bat will perform like one that has 300-500 hits on it and you don\'t have to spend hours of batting practice.

Perform Increases Are Incredible

The typical performance increases range from 30-50 of additional distance after having your bat rolled or shaved. Batted bat speed will increase to over 110mph vs. the designed performance level of either 98mph or 100mph (depending on the type of bat). If you\'ve ever seen a 5\' 6\" guy hitting 350ft bombs you know how juicing your bat can help you out.

Benefits And Downfalls Of Bat Juicing

When having your bat rolled or juiced you will see the performance increases after having the work down. The increases are 10-15% better performance. The one thing you can\'t see right away is how this process can effect the durability of your bat. When having your bat rolled you will not have any issues with decreased durability. This is why bat rolling is the preferred method of juicing. Shaving is another process that can be done to your bat to improve performance. A small amount of material is removed from the inner wall of the bat and this allow the barrel to flex more. You will get slightly better performance vs. have it rolled but when you have your bat shaved you will drastically shorten the life of the bat. A typical bat may last you 2-3 years before breaking but if you shave your bat it will only last approximately 1 season if you are lucky. Another problem with shaving is that you will not be able to send your bat back for warranty replacement once it breaks. All manufacturers are checking bats when they are returned to ensure they have not been altered. It is very easy to identify a shaved bat but there is no way to identify a rolled bat.

Bat Rolling Companies

There are several rolling companies out there and it\'s recommended that you find a company that only offers the rolling process. They most likely have an established reputation and have the experience you need to get your work done properly. As them questions about their process and make sure they are using the perpendicular rolling process. That is currently the best rolling process.



By: Michael Wilcox

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Amongst the good cricketer and good bat manufacturers, bat is a tool for trade. Its raw material is naturally grown and not manmade. A good bat is produced by craftsman and their aim is to provide excellent hitting power with durability. The combination should properly match because softer pressed bats tend to go better but are likely to crack. The harder pressed bat is likely to last longer but hitting power is compromised. The bat maker’s aim is to strike balance between the two to make the best all round cricket bat.

There have been several theories regarding which bat is the best. But the trick is to find the right kind of weight and “pick up” of the bat. Before buying the bat you should see whether the weight of bat is balanced and distributed along the willow. As this helps and makes it easier for batsman to drive it elegantly.

Before buying a bat, confirm whether the bat is knocked in properly or not. Some more expensive bats come pre-knocked. Your bat should come with some instruction or a brochure that describe the condition of the bat and whether the bat is knocked or not. If you get the un-knocked bat you use special hammer tool or a mallet to knock the bat. In any situation do not use your brand new bat for the match. Always get knocking in done before going for any match.

As far as the wood of bat is concerned, traditional English willow is considered superior. There are several grades of cricket bat willows available. Don’t get confused with the grades. Before buying a cricket bat, you should do some research on grades.

Before buying the bat, consider the shape of the bat. The bat should be shaped something like a paddle with padded handle usually in cylindrical shape. There should be wider wooden block on one side and with a V-shaped ridge on other side to provide greater air flow in the follow through and greater strength to over-all bat. The flat side is used to hit the ball.

As the selection of a wrong bat will lead to loss of match, consider the above mentioned features before buying.



By: Sarah Johns

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If you ever searched on the internet the term bat rolling or composite bat rolling you\'ll find out that there are many options out there. It\'s critical that you choose the right company before sending your bat out to be rolled. If you don\'t you could find your bat not performing at it\'s highest level or worst yet you could even find you\'re bat breaking after only a few hits. Make sure the company you choose uses a Perpendicular type rolled since they give you the best results.

Two Types Of Bat Rolling Machines

There are primarily two different type of rolling machines on the market right now and they are Perpendicular and Parallel. Perpendicular is the preferred type of machine since it rolls your bat closely to actually hitting a ball with your bat. It rolls in small sections which is how a bat is designed. Parallel type rolling machines are new to the market and will roll bats the entire length of the barrel. The problem with this type of rolling is it puts added stress on the barrel and since the bat is not designed for this type of compression you will most likely have durability issues with your bat having it rolled by the parallel method. It is recommended you have you bat rolled with a perpendicular method.

Rolling Processes

Regardless of what type of rolling machine you choose to use it\'s important to find a company that does it properly. Most companies will just deter how much they are going to compress your bat and set the machine to that level and do the rolling. This is not the correct way to roll a bat. You need to determine how much you are going to compress the bat and then gradually compress the bat in 3-4 steps until you reach the final compression level. This way you don\'t put too much stress on the bat. You will also rotate the bat a 1/4 turn after each pass through the roller. After being rolled, a bat will have approximately 200 passes through the roller if done correctly.



By: Mike Wilcox

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Ash is called a ring porous hardwood because early in the growing period the tree makes big cells. Then later on the cells become much smaller and denser. The zone of big cells each year is in reality the weakest portion of the wood--large cells mean a lot of void space and poor strength. (Oak is also a ring porous wood.) Well, if you develop the ash too slowly, then there can be a larger proportion of large vessels, which means the wood can be weaker; too fast means too weighty as there will be too many dense, small cells. So, it is critical to find the right growth rate that maximizes the properties of the wood.

Bat selections change from competitor to competitor. It does not always depend on your power or particular muscle mass to figure which kind of bat is going to improve your performance at the plate.

Northern white ash baseball bats are the most well-received baseball bats because they are not as weighty as the popular maple wood counter parts. While maple is touted as having greater durability and longevity, northern white ash baseball bats are more cost effective.

The implement being only as good as its user, your northern white ash baseball bat will dispatch equally as long as the esteemed maple wood bats if you focus on the basics of what it takes to be a good hitter. Pro players will boast that they are able to get as many as 2000 hits off of one bat, and it would not be a northern white ash baseball bat.

It is feasible to accomplish the same endurance with a northern white ash baseball bat by not swinging at poor pitches. Foul balls are hitting a part of the bat that sends a wave of energy like an earth rocking tremor down the to the end of the bat, circling through the knob, and racing right back up.

All that activity is jarring the outer circle of the bat, not to cite how you as the hitter can sometimes even sense that uneven power come reeling up through your own nervous systems ganglia like a shocker. Your bat deserves better choices being made. As a hitter, you understand if you have to reach out for that pitch, it is likely to go out of control.

Each time your bat gets the g-force of a pitch outside its ideal center point for hitting, it is receiving a fissure splitting damaging wound. Northern white ash baseball bats will give you as much fulfilment and achievement on the field as any around, just be sure to make sound decisions before you swing!

Wood bats are typically made of Northern White ash, or Rock Maple. These woods are used because they are very powerful, yet they are also fairly light. Ash is still probably the most common wood, but rock maple is becoming more and more accepted because of its durability. some may dispute maple provides a little more pop. Selecting a good piece of wood is important to durability and to how well the ball jumps off of the bat.



By: William Smith

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