Topic: Being given a bat as a present? (Read 1074 times)

Leddster138 · « **on:** December 20, 2012, 12:04:12 PM »

With it being the season of good will, I was wondering if anyone was expecting a bat as a gift for Christmas and if so, how would it be received?

Every now and again my other half will drop a hint that she'd like to get me a bat for Xmas to which I shudder at the thought of her going to Sports Direct and me having to use some bleached number for a the first few games of the year before it get "stolen" during an away game.

I've always said that I need to pick up the bats first I purchase, I'll travel most of the country to find a decent stick and a good price but with these days of bats with similar shapes and internet shopping, is my judgement clouded? Would my wife be able to get me a bat for Christmas, spend �200 and get me something that wouldn't be the worst?

A player at my club was given a bat from his wife two years ago and swears it's the best he ever had. It didn't feel right at first but after a few innings he adapted and loved it. She spent �300 with Salix mind. In my eyes, a same model 2' 9 SS will feel more or less the same in the hand and the wood should be of a similar standard.

So the question is, bats as gifts? Is it as bad an idea as it used to be if you trust the brand? Surely it's the same principle of ordering blind online.

imogzyboy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:09:39 PM »

I think unless you pick the bat it's dangerous move!! I remember when mongoose came out my mum just went and got me one for Christmas! And at that time I decided I wanted a newbery tt :/ the goose is now in my clubs kit bag! I didn't wanna be I grateful to my mum but I just couldn't get on with the pick up!

i12breakfree · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:11:28 PM »

may be give a gift card of the sports store

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:15:36 PM »

Rubbish, tell the little lady not to skimp, point her towards Salix, CF, SAF, H4L etc etc and tell her to go mad! You'll end up with something you might not have chosen yourself and there's probably just as much chance that you'll love it!

Instead of you trying to second guess the batmaker (like we all do!) she'll listen to what he says and take his advice.......got to be worth a try hasn't it?

sfa82 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:16:00 PM »

My wife wanted to do the same thing, but she ended up arranging a visit to a batmaker for me and I had the whole custom experience. Some of the batmakers on the forum would be able to do this type of thing. She ended up arranging a visit to Chase for me and I had a great time. Highly recommended!

Manormanic · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:16:49 PM »

or tell her a particular bat that you love and that any one of a number of batmakers will do a perfect copy!

trypewriter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:21:15 PM »

This is always a good alternative:

Visit the Chase Workshop in Dummer, Hampshire to watch your bat being crafted especially for you!

You will be involved throughout the whole process from choosing the willow cleft to having a hand in the pick-up, weight, handle size and overall shape of the bat.

Your initials and the date of birth of the bat are then added to the shoulder.

Your local batmaker may offer a similar service if his palm is crossed with folding stuff.

As regards buying bats for other people, the team that I play for clubbed together to buy a bat for our skipper this season, in recognition of the sheer time and effort he puts in with no thought of personal reward. We were lucky in that he has only ever bought one bat in his life and since then has existed on discards from the club bag. He can use pretty much any weight of bat, but clearly one in the 'popular' weight range was going to be a safer option than a behemoth - especially as the cut is one of his main scoring strokes. Anyway, thanks to this forum we were able to get him a superb Red Ink bat from John which he is absolutely delighted with.

Leddster138 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2012, 12:33:20 PM »

Quote from: PedalsMcgrew on December 20, 2012, 12:15:36 PM

Rubbish, tell the little lady not to skimp, point her towards Salix, CF, SAF, H4L etc etc and tell her to go mad! You'll end up with something you might not have chosen yourself and there's probably just as much chance that you'll love it!

Instead of you trying to second guess the batmaker (like we all do!) she'll listen to what he says and take his advice.......got to be worth a try hasn't it?

This is kinda what I was getting at. We all have a type of bat we like and try and find the closest to that as possible but who are we to judge? Maybe it's good to have your opinion taken out of the equation when picking a bat and trust a good bat maker to do a good job. If I'm convinced that my hyundi is the fastest/best car in the world and most suitable for me, it doesn't mean it is and doesn't mean I should just go looking for similar cars.

If someone wants to give you a bat as a gift then it�s probably best to point them in the direction of a bat maker you trust as you know you�ll get a good quality. Pick up and feel are important but I don�t think more important than the quality of the willow (as long as the shape is there or there abouts). I bet it Sachin gave out one of his bats we�d all use it regardless of how it felt picking it up, so what�s the harm.

Author Topic: Being given a bat as a present? (Read 1074 times)

Leddster138

Being given a bat as a present?

imogzyboy

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

i12breakfree

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

sfa82

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

Manormanic

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

trypewriter

Re: Being given a bat as a present?

Leddster138

Re: Being given a bat as a present?