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[sunny_Kris]

hey guys,

 Got myself a newberry UZI to play tennis ball cricket (sacrilege?) and am mighty pleased with it. Got it from Paul and team at IJC(www.itsjustcricket.co.uk) and based on Paul's recommendation got myself the 2.9 that picked up and tapped up better than the 2.7 that he had in stock. As always, dealing with IJC is always a pleasure and their customer service is as good as it gets in terms of response time and patient answers to all the teeth gnashing questions online buyers throw at them (i know i do!).

 The bat came with a hammer edge scuff, but i removed it to oil and knock the bat (follwed the sage advice provided by Ginger: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=32421.0). But for some reason, i spent more than 4 hours knocking it in (oiled it 4 times - maybe its the AZ dry climate that makes bats soak up oil soon). But i'm mighty pleased with the end result. the bat is a rocket launcher

here are some pics:





 

[Ridenmarke]

The grains seem very defined, probably has been oiled sufficiently.

[Kulli]

Bat looks decent but what have Newbery done with their stickers!

[sunny_Kris]

The grains seem very defined, probably has been oiled sufficiently.

 Yes, I had oiled it 4 times with at least 6 hours between each oiling knocked it till the grains started to widen.

[sunny_Kris]

Bat looks decent but what have Newbery done with their stickers!

 Oh you don't like these? check out the new Quantum L.E

[FattusCattus]

Hmmmm, stickers aside, there's something about Newbery. I really, really want an Uzi and a TT.

[sunny_Kris]

Hmmmm, stickers aside, there's something about Newbery. I really, really want an Uzi and a TT.

 the UZI works best for a players taller than 5"11' or 6";i was not veery comfortable picking it up and got the grip replaced with a thicker, heavier one to improve the pickup. But one of my team mates who is 6"2 had a lot of fun playing with it

[i12breakfree]

That's a nice bat. One question though, does the willow quality matter if you are only using it for tennis ball ? The ball is anyways going to bounce if its EW or KW .

[sunny_Kris]

One question though, does the willow quality matter if you are only using it for tennis ball ? The ball is anyways going to bounce if its EW or KW .

let me put it this way, i have tried inexpensive KW bats (GN Evo slayer) and high end bats (T-rapta Fury 100, L&W Reserve) in tennis ball matches and found the following:
 i) the ball flies off the bat irrespective of the willow - if you middle it
 ii) if you don't middle the ball, a grounded shot is better with a cheaper quality willow as the ball will most probably not carry all the way due to:
     a) There is not as much wood in a lower quality bat as a more expensive bat (for the same bat weight)
     b) bat speed / pickup is not optimal for a lower quality bat by virtue of the bat design and you will get the best momentum with your swing. For example, a 2.14 KW from a random vendor and a 2.14 EW designed by L&W, will pickup very differently.
 
 Also, since the tennis ball bounces much more unpredictably than a leather ball, you really want a light weight bat that has a lot of wood to ensure your shots are traveling the distance. if you can find a KW bat that has good balance with a light pickup, sure - go for it!

 
   

[Batbuddy99]

Surely you don't need to knock a bat in either if it's only being used against a tennis ball?

[i12breakfree]

let me put it this way, i have tried inexpensive KW bats (GN Evo slayer) and high end bats (T-rapta Fury 100, L&W Reserve) in tennis ball matches and found the following:
 i) the ball flies off the bat irrespective of the willow - if you middle it
 ii) if you don't middle the ball, a grounded shot is better with a cheaper quality willow as the ball will most probably not carry all the way due to:
     a) There is not as much wood in a lower quality bat as a more expensive bat (for the same bat weight)
     b) bat speed / pickup is not optimal for a lower quality bat by virtue of the bat design and you will get the best momentum with your swing. For example, a 2.14 KW from a random vendor and a 2.14 EW designed by L&W, will pickup very differently.
 
 Also, since the tennis ball bounces much more unpredictably than a leather ball, you really want a light weight bat that has a lot of wood to ensure your shots are traveling the distance. if you can find a KW bat that has good balance with a light pickup, sure - go for it!

 
   

that does hep explain your selection.
Fine EW bat made by a reputed brand will definitely give you a better balanced bat

[IQ]

bat looks great quality, these new Newbery stickers look fake as! Who designed the font on the toe piece especially!

For tennis ball cricket overdried clefts are great as there is lesser possibility of damage with time. Even well made kashmir willow do very well.

[sunny_Kris]

Surely you don't need to knock a bat in either if it's only being used against a tennis ball?

 True that. i just knock it in because i like getting to know my bat and might use it in a leather ball match. But mostly because I just love the sound a ball makes on a well knocked bat

[sunny_Kris]

For tennis ball cricket overdried clefts are great as there is lesser possibility of damage with time. Even well made kashmir willow do very well.

 do you know any vendors who sell light weight, well made KW bats?

[WalkingWicket37]

True that. i just knock it in because i like getting to know my bat and might use it in a leather ball match. But mostly because I just love the sound a ball makes on a well knocked bat

Is it a satisfying wack like you've hit it with a tennis racquet?