Did Bonds Ever Use 33.5 or 33.75 inch Bats?

[matt]

I have a Bonds 91-92 H&B H238 that is 33.75. I find casual references to him using 33 inch bats in old news articles, but MEARS took off points saying it should be 34 inches. Given Bonds was much smaller in 1991, it seems reasonable he would use a 33.5 or 33.75. Anyone have any data on early bonds bat sizes?

Thanks!
Matt

[MLB_Authentic]

Is the bat cupped? All 34inch LS Bats that are cupped are actually 33.75. They cant seem to figure out how to cup them and keep them 34inches.

[33bird]

Here's one of his Sam bats from his Giant days. 33.5 inches. Most of his Sam bats were 34 inches long, but a few were a little shorter. This one is from 1999. All of Bond's ounces and inches were recorded on the end of the bat. Check it out.

[MSpecht]

H & B records through 8/13/97 (only) document Bonds orders of 33.5 inch bats in 1986 (P72), 1988 (H238), and 1997 (H238C). Orders of 33 inch bats are documented in 1997 (H238C).

Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[BMH]

Is the bat cupped? All 34inch LS Bats that are cupped are actually 33.75. They cant seem to figure out how to cup them and keep them 34inches.

Blah blah blah

[BMH]

From 1989 to 1997 he used 34in bats.

Yes, cupping a bat does take a 1/4in off the bottom of the barrel which really reduces the hitting surface.

[matt]

Thanks to all for the great responses. My bat is cupped, and measures between 33 5/8 (per MEARS) to 33 3/4 per PSA. Based on Brian's post, I suspect this one had a bit more than 1/4 inch removed, causing MEARS to flag it as not matching records for 34 inch...bummer as they knocked it down to A6.5 on this. PSA grade was 8. Bat has nice use.

I will post a photo soon and maybe you guys can help me better pinpoint the year. Mears says 91-92 and it is a Pirates bat, so must be pre-1993. Looks like the 91-97 labeling, yet it is not clear he ordered these during those 2 seasons from the records.


thanks again!

[matt]

Here is the bat I have been researching. It was one of my earlier (less informed) purchases years ago, but I really like the bat and hoping the Mears 6.5 does not reflect it's authenticity. Hate to put an asterisk next to it on my wall! The home plate is from Fenway main field in 2008. Completely demolished...

[BMH]

I think I have posted this before but I will again anyway. When we first started using our CNC lathe we used a 8mm knife for cutting the body of the bat. I measured all the time to make sure it was correct and it was. Well, the next year we developed a newer knife at 12mm with our own specs. I simply replaced the 8 with the 12. Not thinking it would shorten the lengths of all my bats by a quarter inch. So most the bats in 2004 were shorter. It took me most the year to go back and lengthen every program to the correct length.

We decided not to add back the extra 1/4 in for cupping since it doesn't effect hitting surface and none of the players have ever complained. Except David Wright who requests a 33.75in bat with a cup. That one was easy

[metsbats]

I think I have posted this before but I will again anyway. When we first started using our CNC lathe we used a 8mm knife for cutting the body of the bat. I measured all the time to make sure it was correct and it was. Well, the next year we developed a newer knife at 12mm with our own specs. I simply replaced the 8 with the 12. Not thinking it would shorten the lengths of all my bats by a quarter inch. So most the bats in 2004 were shorter. It took me most the year to go back and lengthen every program to the correct length.

We decided not to add back the extra 1/4 in for cupping since it doesn't effect hitting surface and none of the players have ever complained. Except David Wright who requests a 33.75in bat with a cup. That one was easy

I think MEARS should take this into account when grading bats from this period. It's not fair that points are deducted from a grade due to their lack of this knowledge.