yes the way I read the law 6 appendix E - unless you are repairing the bat
4. The blade
(a) The blade comprises the whole of the bat apart from the handle as defined above. The
blade has a face, a back, a toe, sides and shoulders. See Appendix E.
(b) The blade shall consist solely of wood.
(c) No material may be placed on or inserted into either the blade or the lower portion of
the handle other than as permitted in 3(d) above and 5 and 6 below, together with the
minimal adhesives or adhesive tape used solely for fixing these items, or for fixing
the handle to the blade.
Where 3(d) is the Handle 5 is Covering the blade, 6 is Protection and repair