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godwulf
06-10-2015, 03:38 PM
It's been a few years since I saw this being discussed on the board, and a couple of comments in other threads prompted me to start this one. My question relates mostly to when the MLB logo began appearing on LS's, when it got "filled in", when it moved to the backside of the barrel, etc.

What I recall being told by someone initially was that the logo first appeared on the front of the barrel, in outline form, in 1999, that at some point in 2000 it became the "filled in" version, and that the logo(s) moved to the backside of the barrel in '01. I recall BMH stating, years ago, however, that this is not a hard-and-fast guide. Personally, I have in my collection at least one bat that I know is from '01 that has no logos, and another from '01 that has a filled-in logo on the front side.

Aside from the occasional exception or error, though, what is your understanding of how the majority of bats from those years can be dated?

Birdbats
06-10-2015, 04:50 PM
In research I've conducted with bats that could be pinpointed to specific seasons, the outline version exists on all 1999 bats and some 2000 bats.

The solid/filled logo appears on some 2000 bats and early 2001 bats. Don't know exactly when the switch from outline to solid happened, but it was during 2000.

In early 2001 (spring?), the MLB logo moved to the back of the barrel.

So, a 2001 bat with a filled-in logo on the front is legit -- it probably was made in January/February 2001.

A 2001 with no logo could have a few explanations: production error, bat from 1998 that wasn't used until 2001, or the player was a minor leaguer when it was made (minor league bats did not have the MLB logo).

Birdbats
06-10-2015, 04:57 PM
Just looking back at my research, LS was still using the outline version in April 2000; I've had a couple Gaetti Red Sox bats with outlined logos and he was signed on 4/2/2000. Bats of guys who joined the Cardinals at the 7/31 trade deadline had solid logos. So, the switch happened sometime between 4/2 and 8/1.

godwulf
06-10-2015, 07:13 PM
Thanks, Jeff. That pretty much dovetails with what I've been told, and the dates you provide are helpful.

With the '01 bat w/no logos that I have, I'd have to believe that the production error is a better explanation. It's a Curt Schilling Diamondbacks bat, and of course he was a Philly in '98, not a Diamondback till July of 2000, and not a minor leaguer for some years before either of those dates.

Birdbats
06-10-2015, 09:48 PM
Interesting. My 2001 Schilling has the filled-in logo on front.

godwulf
06-11-2015, 11:40 AM
Interesting. My 2001 Schilling has the filled-in logo on front.

Is it an R205?

Birdbats
06-11-2015, 01:00 PM
Yes it is. Has a team LOA dated 4/8/02.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/birdbats/Schilling%20Curt%20LS%202000-01_zpsmbtnp2au.jpg