Whilst sorting through this seasons bats, I thought I would measure the length of the middles/sweet spot on my bats, both old and new
I've based the measurement on mallet response with no vibration felt
I know this is not the same as a ball, or out in a game etc, but it was the best I could
The results for the bats I have at the moment are below, and to be honest were a little surprising to me
Comments on the actual bats feel while playing accompany the results
Laver and Wood. 150mm long middle. Quite high up from the toe. But one of the best bats I've used in 40 yrs,(once I'd taken 3oz off it). Weight 2.9
Gray Nicholls world cup supreme 5star. 160mm of pure hitting power. One of my oldest bats, I still have, and one that I would never part with. Whilst using this, I never had an excuse to not hit the ball hard. Weight 2.10
Jedi 15 grainer. 120mm. Found this interesting as I'd thought it had a longer middle,,, weight 2.9,(very thin round handle)
Jedi 15 grain butterfly. 130?mm. This bat feels dead to bat with? Weird.
Weight 2.8
M&H Solution. 150mm.. Worst bat ever owned. Almost stopped me playing cricket, it affected my batting that much? And yet a huge middle
Weight 2.12
Affinity Toro. 165mm.. A special bat from Marcus, I scored 1300 runs last season with this at an avg of 40. A shame AOC wouldn't judge it. Weight 2.11
Affinity Carbine,(my sons bat). 240mm! It genuinely feels one long middle when using it, I've managed to rob it off him, with the promise he can use the Toro for a season. Weight 2.9
Affinity Carbine Oxfordshire edition. 180mm. Again a surprise as I would have thought a longer middle after using it. But nowhere near as good as my sons Carbine, and this is 3oz heavier at 2.12
Aldred Players. 160mm . Beautiful bat, that picks up a dream, but lacking a bit of oomph low down. But that's my fault, as Paul made the bat whilst there to my specs. Weight 2.9
I guess the results prove nothing really, as all bats are different etc, but I found it interesting comparing the feel with a mallet to actual match conditions.
Had a net today with a good mate in Somerset, and let him have a knock with the bats, just to see how he found the response.
The Toro, due to the sheer amount of wood, was the stand out for him,(so much so,he made a very generous offer for it,with a BAS vampire le and A large amount of cash)
The Aldred is also really good, I've not really knocked it in much, and it feels better every time I use it.
He thought the pick up and response were very good, with a highish middle.
He liked the M&H,s response , but agreed with me on the balance and pick up, which just feels too heavy? For the weight.
Carbine went down well, especially the response
The Jedis didn't go down too well
Didn't get chance to let him have a go with the new Carbine ox edition.
My thoughts are still, that it's impossible to tell a bats response from tapping a mallet on it or bouncing a ball on it.
Hitting the Aldred near the toe with a mallet, it feels dead, but batting with it, driving balls from that low down,the response is very good.
The speed of the ball off the Toro is stupid, even off centre shots
Get a decent bit of wood, pressed to perfection and your sorted