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[Talisman]

If you were presented with a bag of 20 bats but had been blindfolded tell me how you would choose the best bat, purely on feel with yours hands.

[Bruce]

I think Pick up would be first. Sort the better ones from the worse ones. Then feel the edges for how large/ small they are- which ever your preferance.

[Alvaro]

Can I put my batting gloves on to pick them up?

[Kulli]

Pickup and a bit of middle flicking

[norbs]

Can I put my batting gloves on to pick them up?

If you can find them in the dark!

[Talisman]

Can I put my batting gloves on to pick them up?

No, being mean as purely a hand skills exercise.

[Alvaro]

If you can find them in the dark!

Fair point well made...

Well, this fabled middle-flicking could go on but I'm not sure what I'm really listening for.
I'd go by what the pick-up was like, the dead weight of the thing, and try and ascertain where or whereabouts the swell was.
Also, I'd check the edges for any burn indentations and avoid any that felt like a 'Big Edge' label...

[tushar sehgal]

I think tapping the bat would help, I dont know what to exactly to listen for but i think its a slightly hollow thump...running the hand on the bats would also point out any damage if there was any...feel/balance/pickup could be judged...

again tapping exercise would be usefull if I could tell what i was looking for 

[Cover_Drive]

I'm assuming mallet testing is not allowed.

If it is not allowed then this is what I would do, in order to pick up something;

1. Feel ALL of the bats and put aside the ones that feel the best
2. Once again go over the ones I kept aside and short list to three bats.
3. Finger flicking ping check
4. Then feel what is the profile like (concaving, edges, swell position et cetra) and how meat is distributed
5. Check out the handle shape and composition (rubber et cetra)

[Mr Cricket]

-handle shape would be first, must be round
-weight/pick up second
-responsiveness/mallet test third
-if i was still considering more than one bat, i would feel the back of the bats and choose the more 'traditional' shape

[Jagminder]

Can I put my batting gloves on to pick them up?

Thank God I m not the only one.
I have to pick up a bat with gloves on to get the feel of it.
Weigh wise - Anything I feel comfy controlling a "Pull Shot swing". A good enough swing for driving.
Oval Handle.
Finger Flicking to hear that sweet sound.

Jag.

[PM7]

Pick up, balance and more importantly how it comes down in an arc/pendulum when driving.
Edge size would be secondary but still important.

[tim2000s]

I'd tap away first. Having done this I'd pick maybe six then pick up test them.