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[TopShot]

Hello bat lovers! I am new to this forum and in urgent need of advice. i got a new Mongoose ToRQ super premium for this season. I got the bat in June and I've used it in 4 games and a few nets this year but nothing too heavy. My question is..is it normal for the higher willow grades to crack easier than the lower grades? The face of my bat looks very bad to me and I am worried that it's only going to get worse. I have three 3 to 4 inch cracks running down the face of the bat and two half inch cracks running horizontally. The cracks seem to be just on the face and haven't penetrated too deep into the wood.

The ping on the bat is just fair at the moment which I would expect since the bat it still fairly new. The bat was knocked in properly by the seller so that shouldn't be an issue. I would post pics but it doesn't seem to be working for me right now. Here is a link to my flickr account so you all can see the damage. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101286198@N05 What do you all think... is my bat dying or this is normal?

[amritpremi]

This doesn't look good for a relatively new bat. I saw the pics on my mobile and the pics were not too clear, are there cracks on the bat or is it delaminated? You should get in touch with seller and see if anything can be done by them (repair/replacement)

[100 not out]

Look likes it hasn't been knocked in before use

[tim2000s]

Look likes it hasn't been knocked in before use

Exactly the same reaction as I had... I wouldn't expect anyone to accept a return on that as it doesn't appear to have been knocked in!

[lastmanstand]

you say knocked in by the seller? Any idea what process they used? I'd never trust that it has been 100% done

[ProWannabe88]

Seam marks all down the face and impact cracks like that prove the bat hasn't been knocked in fully (if at all). You need to contact the seller immediately. If this was a retail purchase and you have proof they were supposed to provide the service you may be able to force a return/replace. If this is not the case I'm afraid you may be stuck.

  I always check bats myself, even if they were 'knocked in' and won't take one out until I personally feel it is right to try a hard ball on. One person's idea of knocking may be different to another's and I think its a very individual thing. good luck

[TopShot]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The seller is suggesting that the cracks are not a big deal and that some more knocking will flatten them out. I am gutted by the look of the bat but I do not think it is broken. The face is just dented and cracked. My concern right now is whether the condition of this bat can be improved or if it's ruined.

Is there any way back for my bat at this point or do I need a new one?

[uknsaunders]

The seller hasn't knocked that in and you need to get it seen by an expert to repair it. I'm sure the bat can be returned to a decent condition. The cracks will always be there but with some tlc they can be sanded down/glued/sealed up and comestically will look much better. Then get it knocked in. I'm assuming this is some guy on ebay? I was sold a "brand new" bat which had dents in the side, turned out he thought knocking in the edges meant hitting it on the edge! He knew next to nothing about bat care. I got a partial refund and by the time I relisted it in an accurate condition I had a list of 4 or 5 faults, ranging from dents to minor cracks to worn grip to pitted toe to seam marks etc. Also had to be explicit in the description that the bat required knocking in!

[TopShot]

Thanks for the reply uknsaunders. The seller is actually one of the manufacturers/brands posted on this forum. I won't comment on them any further as I do trust their work which is why I am so shocked and gutted that this has occurred. I have learnt an important lesson here I think. From now on I will always take the time to knock a bat in myself. The easy way out of these knocking in services are not to be trusted.

[Kulli]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The seller is suggesting that the cracks are not a big deal and that some more knocking will flatten them out. I am gutted by the look of the bat but I do not think it is broken. The face is just dented and cracked. My concern right now is whether the condition of this bat can be improved or if it's ruined.

Is there any way back for my bat at this point or do I need a new one?

Worst case if you can't get a replacement you might as well keep using it, while that looks pretty bad if it's performing well I can't see if falling to bits anytime soon.

[Butterfingerz]

To me it looks like it hasnt been pressed!

[400notout]

Have you been using decent quality cricket balls?

Certainly doesn't look good, I never take shop knocked in as knocked in.

[ItsJustCricket]

This looks pretty bad for a relatively new bat.  An anti-scuff sheet would have helped, and I doubt it would've looked as bad had you put one on.  I still don't think it was properly knocked in though...

As the cracks are mainly vertical and running down the grain, it probably has a decent amount of life left in it though.  Definitely put a scuff sheet on though (at the very least).  Maybe try and sand it first...

[TopShot]

Hi 400n.o Our team has been using all decent quality kookaburra balls (kookaburra club i think is the specific one)

Hi ItsJustCricket

It's probably hard to see in the pics but the bat came with a scuff sheet from the manufacturer. The scuff sheet has mongoose printed all across it which is why it looks so spotted. Do you think this bat needs to be repaired?

[ItsJustCricket]

Hi 400n.o Our team has been using all decent quality kookaburra balls (kookaburra club i think is the specific one)

Hi ItsJustCricket

It's probably hard to see in the pics but the bat came with a scuff sheet from the manufacturer. The scuff sheet has mongoose printed all across it which is why it looks so spotted. Do you think this bat needs to be repaired?

Really? That surprises me and suggests there is definitely something wrong with the bat.  Yes, it's worth trying to get a repair.  I guess "refurb" is the more correct word.