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[John]

Is there a foolproof way or is it just intuition that everybody gets wrong occasionally? You tap with a mallet. Bounce a ball. Check the pickup. But in the end you don't really know until you get out in the middle. And even then it takes a couple of decent innings' before you really know. And I don't think you can just go with price and reputation. Like most people I've had middle range off the shelf bats that were brilliant after two or three hundred runs and my most expensive purchase - Black Cat Shadow - was good but, disappoingtingly, fell apart a shade over 500 runs. So what's the secret. How do you spot a good bat?

[Buzz]

you walk into the shop/workshop/bat suppliers collection and a bat calls out to you and says "I am the one for you". you decide it pings better than the others, picks up better than the others and has the best stickers.

it is all about gut feel.

some people have a larger gut to feel than others, but that doesn't make them bad people.

[Red Ink Cricket]

its knowing what you like and what suits your game. a certain bat may suit you and not me. i have the advantage of making my own so get to tap each bat up until im happy ive found the best. when i was purchasing off the shelf i would tend to go for something that caught my eye. a little gem hidden away. give it a quick test and end up walking out the shop beaming! looks arent everything but sometime they do help lead you in the right direction.

[tim2000s]

You pick up a bat and you just go "Mmmmmmm, it's this one".... Which is why I haven't let myself go near a bat shop for a fair while....

[ProWannabe88]

Knowing what suits your game and what you prefer is a massive help. And a good batmaker you can trust to produce the goods is a huge benefit. Other than that I sort of agree with the whole Harry Potter and his wand aspect.... One will stand out from the others, one that you can't leave in the shop. Usually hispering at you and shining brighter than the rest haha. I doubt ill ever buy off the shelf again now but I still get the itch if I'm in a shop and there's some sexy willow sat around. Especially if its branded GM lol