Print

Not at all important - only balance counts in how the bat feels

Both weight and pick up are equally important in how the bat feels to me

Weight is more important than balance in how the bat feels to me

[tim2000s]

The one really noticeable occasion was when I tried a massive GM bat of Pete's - it was about 3lbs+ and when I picked it up, I thought I could use it no problem.
The reality was that I could just about hit a forward defensive shot (which went like a rocket) but was horribly late on everything else...

I remember that bat too. It was beautifully balanced, but I couldn't time anything, even straight ones in the slot were difficult, just because my unconscious bat swing was used to something a lot lighter.

[Stuey]

I favour bat speed over bat weight,  I like a bat no heavier than 2.9 and a high-mid middle so I can the bat through the ball quicker whether driving or pulling. Also you have lug a heavier bat up and down the wicket when running, no matter on the pick up your still carrying that weight. So for me the impact would be substantial.

[TopShot]

I feel I should reply here since it was probably my carbine review which sparked this discussion.

This is such a good question and I feel the answer really depends on the individual. I normally use 2.7 to 2.9 weight bats and at those light weights pick is generally not an issue. I have recently tried to use a 2"10 club bat and the pick up was so bad it felt like I could barely get my bat up in time to play at all much less uppercut lol.

My carbine weighs in at a hefty 2"13.3. It doesn't feel that weight in the hands...heavier than what I'm used to be sure but not so bad as to worry me. I did notice a few things when using it though.

1) my timing was off. It took about three overs to find the middle properly. To be expected as it was my first time using a bat that heavy
2) I hit a lot of balls with the toe end of the bat. Not sure why but it must be related to the timing thing
3) being a top order batsman and generally facing the quicks I try to play as late as possible. I often will make last second adjustments to my shots like opening the face or leaving the ball alone because of late swing. I found with the heavier bat I was i able to that as Welles normal. If I started to play a shot I was committed to it. This led me to be beaten outside off a few times to balls I would normally have left alone.
4) I had no real issues defending or scoring off the back foot and my late cuts and pull shots still seemed to go ok.
5) when I did middle a ball I found it travelled a lot better than I expected for the force I used. Not sure if that is related to the quality of the bat or just the fact that it is heavier so the ball automatically travels further

I didn't really find my arms getting overly tired during my innings but I could see how that might become a problem.

That's my experience so far. I need a couple more long innings to really get a feel for the difference. I won't lie though during those first three overs of mistimed drives I was very tempted to go back to what I was used to. I decided to stick it out though and the bat didn't fail me.

[crictech]

The weight distribution determines how the bat feels so the actual bat weight doesn't tell you much. It's just the easiest measurement to take. That's why we keep hearing stuff like it's a 2lb 12 that feels like a 2.9. 

When the bat is held ready but isn't moving the balance weight is the measurement that tells you how the bat feels. The best way to find this is to place a finger on the middle of the handle in between where your two gloves grip and put the toe of the bat on a scale. You'll get a reading of around 1.5lbs.

When you are hefting the bat or swinging for the ball the swing weight tells you how heavy the bat feels. This is a bit of a trickier measurement to take but it is a much better way of describing a bat than the dead weight.

Bit more info here http://www.crictech.com/pages/analysis-design

[InternalTraining]

I tried light bats (2:7 to 2:9) but value for shots was lacking. I switched to a heavy during a  preseason net sessions because I did not want to damage nicer bats. My friends loved my " heavy"; I loved how hard the ball was hit; how the shots felt in my hands; how the shots sounded. When I hit with the bat, it makes a cracking sound which I just love!

So, Heavy bats for me. I prefer (fully dressed) 2-12/2-13 bats with high middles. Shot like a square cut against a quick can be a challenge - I have altogether stopped square cutting the ball. A well timed  drive gets the ball to the boundary. Flicks, pulls , and occasional hooks work fine as well. It gives you confidence in your bat and you can focus on the batting and match better.

[TopShot]

I personally don't square cut much at all in general.... even when using light bats. So adjusting to the heavy bat wasn't that bad. I really didn't feel I needed to alter my shot selection much at all.

I'm still a little gob smacked over the tremendous rebound I was getting from check drives and little nudges and flicks. Is this just a heavy bat thing or more to do with the quality of the wood?

[InternalTraining]

Well, mine are quality heavy bats so, hopefully, it is not just the weight. 

[procricket]

As Chris Easby will be my witness I went from a 2-8oz bat to a 3-2oz bat early season and scored 108 not out with the 3-2oz bat and the week after 70 not out.
For some reason unknown to me now I changed back to my normal weight.

I can honestly tell you for me it is in the mind. If you have half decent hand eye co ordination it does not take long to adjust at all. I never go on dead weight unless buying blind.

My optimum weight who knows I it feels good use it till it breaks

I did not practising or anything it made me play straighter and the extra wood on the bat gave me confidence.

[Manormanic]

I think in cases like DAve mentions aboe, it might also be releant to look at who you were playing.  I'd wager if the opposition had had someone rapid you might have felt differently about the extra weight!

[Buzz]

The weight distribution determines how the bat feels so the actual bat weight doesn't tell you much. It's just the easiest measurement to take. That's why we keep hearing stuff like it's a 2lb 12 that feels like a 2.9. 

When the bat is held ready but isn't moving the balance weight is the measurement that tells you how the bat feels. The best way to find this is to place a finger on the middle of the handle in between where your two gloves grip and put the toe of the bat on a scale. You'll get a reading of around 1.5lbs.

When you are hefting the bat or swinging for the ball the swing weight tells you how heavy the bat feels. This is a bit of a trickier measurement to take but it is a much better way of describing a bat than the dead weight.

Bit more info here http://www.crictech.com/pages/analysis-design

really like this idea - it is a more scientific idea than we tried a few months ago...

As Chris Easby will be my witness I went from a 2-8oz bat to a 3-2oz bat early season and scored 108 not out with the 3-2oz bat and the week after 70 not out.
For some reason unknown to me now I changed back to my normal weight.

I can honestly tell you for me it is in the mind. If you have half decent hand eye co ordination it does not take long to adjust at all. I never go on dead weight unless buying blind.

My optimum weight who knows I it feels good use it till it breaks

I did not practising or anything it made me play straighter and the extra wood on the bat gave me confidence.

Dave that 3lbs bat of yours is another extraordinary piece of craftmanship

[jamesisapayne]

Interesting point.

I used an M&H Original High 2.9 and a Newbery Navarone weighing 2.12 this season and thinking back the M&H is too light - I was through the shot too quickly for the wickets I play on (I'd like to think I pick up length pretty well) and found the heavier bat helped my timing and also felt my bat come down straighter (although that may just be my mind playing tricks)

[jwebber86]

i had a very good season 4-5 years ago when using a big kanhuna weighing about 3.2lb scored a few runs felt very comfortable at the crease. i didnt play for a much until last season and used a bat weighing 2.12lb and had a much better season which could of just been down to playing more games but i have always liked to use a big bat

[procricket]

I think in cases like DAve mentions aboe, it might also be releant to look at who you were playing.  I'd wager if the opposition had had someone rapid you might have felt differently about the extra weight!

I used it against a quick West Inidan bowler brother of Nixon MCclean but known your point.

I tend to use lighter against better opposition but in truth think majority is in your head.

[InternalTraining]

I was swinging my lighter bats too fast...with a heavy bat, my timing is right. I play late, on backfoot, close to my body and for that heavy bat works very well. Having extra mass behind the ball helps. I don't think the benefit is psychological, it is very tangible - a flick landing at 40 yards v/s a flick landing a foot from the boundary is a big difference.

Interesting point.

I used an M&H Original High 2.9 and a Newbery Navarone weighing 2.12 this season and thinking back the M&H is too light - I was through the shot too quickly for the wickets I play on (I'd like to think I pick up length pretty well) and found the heavier bat helped my timing and also felt my bat come down straighter (although that may just be my mind playing tricks)

[procricket]

No i agree the size of bat does make the ball go further because of the mass behind it but in the mind people think their a bigger impact ie slow on the ball.

Muscle memory can be re wrote.