Old Hickory bat code info

[tigerdale]

Maybe this is general knowledge, not sure, but I thought i'd post it anyways. This is a reply I got from 'old hickory' customer service regarding the meaning of the serial numbers put on starting in 2009...

On the Porcello bat, and all pro bats starting in 2009, the serial number breaks down like this:

The first number is the year (starting in 2010, this will change to the first 2 digits), the next two digits are the month the order was received and the last 3 digits are the work order number. After the hyphen, the letters are the players initials and the number is the exact number of that bat for the particular order. In the case of the Porcello bat (905161-RP3), the order was received by use in May of 2009, the work order was 161 and this bat was number 3 in the order.

[5kRunner]

Great Info! Thanks for posting that Dale.

[grenda12]

Great information. Thanks for posting.

[tigerdale]

Here is a little update on the Old Hickory bat codes as explained to me...
The LDM refers to the bat being a “Low Density Maple” bat. Starting with the 2012 season, MLB is requiring either an “LDM” or “LDMX” inscription on all low density maple bats. “LDM” will appear on bats from players that signed their first MLB contract prior to the 2011 season and the “LDMX” inscription appears on bats of players whose first MLB contract was in either 2011 or 2012.
The “LDM” players can actually use a lower density maple than the “LDMX” players. It is MLB’s way of grandfathering in some of the bats that older players have been used while trying to limit the “high breakage” models for younger, newer players.

[gorilla777]

Thank you Dale, appreciate the update on this

[Dach0sen0ne]

I'd also like to add if the bat is missing the players initials and bat number it is most likely a promotional bat used for autograph signings. I've included a pic as an example.

[joelsabi]

I'd also like to add if the bat is missing the players initials and bat number it is most likely a promotional bat used for autograph signings. I've included a pic as an example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mike-Trout-S...item5895a7a82c

this one has missing initials but ball marks too.

[Dach0sen0ne]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mike-Trout-S...item5895a7a82c

this one has missing initials but ball marks too.

That "Game Used" bat on ebay also has the same exact batch code as the hundreds of signed Trout game model bats readily available on ebay. Here is an example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mike-Trout-A...item35bf6b8971

Coincidence the bat is only authenticated for the autograph?

[DJaeger22]

Here's one I got from Rockies minor leaguer, Trevor Story, earlier this year.

[treant985]

I'd also like to add if the bat is missing the players initials and bat number it is most likely a promotional bat used for autograph signings. I've included a pic as an example.

Well the last part of the code (player initials and a number) indicate which bat it was of an order that was sent to the player, so I'm guessing that if it doesn't have that info, then it wasn't an order sent to the player for game use.