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[Gingerbusiness]

what about the "playing in" part? do you go straight to nets, or vs the machine first?

I always face a bowling machine but that is because I have access to one.

If you don't, facing a bowler is fine. Just make sure he uses a high quality but softer/used ball and leave any Yorkers alone - even if it means getting bowled.

If he uses a poor quality ball, you can crack the bat. Same goes for Yorkers to the toe.

Hope that helps!

[GarrettJ]

Plastic scuff sheets are the devil, go au natural and regularly sand and oil

[Gingerbusiness]

Plastic scuff sheets are the devil, go au natural and regularly sand and oil

Why?

I agree cheap ones are - but good ones are worth their weight in protecting the willow.

[brokenbat]

Plastic scuff sheets are the devil, go au natural and regularly sand and oil

I tried this once. The problem is that repairing cracks is a major pain, and soon almost half the blade is covered with bat tape, running across the face. Unless you're advocating just letting surface cracks sit there?

[Chad]

Some say they dampen the performance, and prefer the 'feel' of an uncovered bat. I have no idea which one is right, but I do believe that scuff sheets help to keep performance for a bit longer, (As the impacts are dampened slightly, therefore damage to wood less) and definitely help preserve the bat itself. Entirely up to preference, I think some people just enjoy looking after their bats without scuff sheets, as it doesn't hide any cracks, and you can clean the bat regularly with an oil rag. (Loved doing this with my old Adidas Incurza)

[Gingerbusiness]

If I am paying 00s on a new bat, I'm protecting it for as long as possible.

[Chad]

If I am paying 00s on a new bat, I'm protecting it for as long as possible.

If others are paying 00s on a new bat, they are using it however they want. If they believe that scuff sheets dampen performance, and buy the bat so they can score runs as effectively as possible, then I can totally see why they won't scuff! (Also, oiling and sanding is almost like a ritual for them at times!) Who doesn't love a bit of oil sometimes?

[Gingerbusiness]

Oh don't get me wrong, when I didn't pay for my bats, I'd not use anti-scuff but now I have to pay full whack for bats, I do but as you say Chad, that's my preference.

[Seniorplayer]

Have stopped  using anti  scuff as IMO it as an effect on the bats performance.

[FvanN]

Have stopped  using anti  scuff as IMO it as an effect on the bats performance.

Like you I too don't like scuff sheets but how do you quantify the difference in performance?  For me it seems to be the feel at impact but I can't say for sure I hit the ball a few extra meters further without a sheet 

[Seniorplayer]

Like you I too don't like scuff sheets but how do you quantify the difference in performance?  For me it seems to be the feel at impact but I can't say for sure I hit the ball a few extra meters further without a sheet 

Well not exactly scientific but mallet and ball rebound off the middle of the  same bat with 1st anti scuff off then anti scuff on and then off again.

[seedy]

Take it to the nets and smash some balls around. That normally works for me.

[Gingerbusiness]

Take it to the nets and smash some balls around. That normally works for me.

Ah... See, I have been going wrong with my preparation approach all along! :[

[seedy]

Just my approach mate everyone's different. Never had undue breakages or anything amiss happen so just keep doing what I've always done.

[Buzz]

Some say they dampen the performance, and prefer the 'feel' of an uncovered bat. I have no idea which one is right, but I do believe that scuff sheets help to keep performance for a bit longer, (As the impacts are dampened slightly, therefore damage to wood less) and definitely help preserve the bat itself. Entirely up to preference, I think some people just enjoy looking after their bats without scuff sheets, as it doesn't hide any cracks, and you can clean the bat regularly with an oil rag. (Loved doing this with my old Adidas Incurza)

I am under the impression that this is why the fibre scuff sheets are becoming more popular because of the feel of bat on ball.
Given the cost of bats now, making them last is important...
sanding, oiling etc is also very therapeutic!