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[Biggie Smalls]

The club pro at my club just got a new sponsor (an oz company that have counterbalances on some bat models ). I haven't seen any of his bats yet , but another teammate has , and he said the counterbalance wasn't wood/cane etc , and was added on . Perhaps that particular model has standard handles but club pro wanted a counterbalance handle and a solution was found , not sure .
Anyway , the method used was to cut small cross sections of a chevron bat grip ( either 10 or 20 mm , but could be whatever you want ) . You then stretch the little grip 'rubber bands' over onto the handle tip, then put the actual grip back over the top of the grip segments . The bats seen apparently had four added .
I tried doing this myself , using 4 'grip rubber bands' , and i must admit that I'm rather chuffed with the result . I've always thought counterbalance handles are good / work but ive never bought a bat with one because i like to cut off the top inch of my handles to make them super-short handles .
I think I'm going to play around with this some more and may even end up doing this for all my bats . The four grip segments I used weighed .25oz . To me the bat now picks up at least .5oz lighter .

[Buzz]

Nice work, there are a few topics on this.

To me, however, it is all in your mind...

[Biggie Smalls]

How did i know who would reply first , and what they would say ? You could well be right Buzz , but for .25oz I'm happy to have a 'placebo effect' counterbalance and 'feel' the bat picking up better . However , i have 13 more bats to try it with .....it might not have the same results with some of the others . I'm not sure how I  would explain away a mixed result - plecebo or not , that is the question ! 

[Gurujames]

I've found it easier to wrap some self amalgamating tape around the tip of the handle. I do this sometimes to make a bigger 'knob' at the end rather than a counter balance. If you wanted it for counterbalance you would be better using some of the lead tape golfers use.

[Churchy1989]

Lead tape works.

[Biggie Smalls]

Yeah , i remember now reading about lead tape . Haven't heard about self amalgamating tape for this application bofore though . I wonder what would be the most cost effective method for multipke bats though ?

[tom line]

Whenever I've done counterbalances (don't use them myself but have put them on a few bats for other people) I always just use an old grip cut up into rings as mentioned normally 2 or 3 dependent on grip thickness and then a bit of electrical tape round them to hold them in place

[Blazer]

Lead tape is more subtle than grips, I tend to find that it initially works and then you get used to it, ending up being additional weight.

[Seniorplayer]

Tried lead tape and cut grips didn't think they Made  much difference to the pick up found that lead flashing cut into 1inch wide strips held in place by tape and cut grips  at the top of the handle works better.

[FattusCattus]

Or - use the correct weight bat for your own technique in the first place and ignore the need for a counter-balance.

[procricket]

Or - use the correct weight bat for your own technique in the first place and ignore the need for a counter-balance.

MMM a very contentious point.

Not saying anything about quality of technique here but of stable technique by that I mean consistency of it.

It all about the hands vs weight (mass) theory for me which is greatly misunderstood even by professional players at times.



I know I love light bats but score generally more runs with a heavier bat but I understand why so I agree to a degree Fattus about what you have said.




 

[brokenbat]

MMM a very contentious point.

Not saying anything about quality of technique here but of stable technique by that I mean consistency of it.

It all about the hands vs weight (mass) theory for me which is greatly misunderstood even by professional players at times.



I know I love light bats but score generally more runs with a heavier bat but I understand why so I agree to a degree Fattus about what you have said.

what is the hands vs weight theory?

[Gurujames]

I think this is a load of cobblers. If adding a quarter of an ounce at the top of a handle makes a significant difference you are surely thinking too much about the equipment and not concerntating enough on the ball.

[procricket]

well Saad what type of player are you ...

Quick hands slow hand
Are you strong..
What bats do you tend to use
What bat weight do you tend to score runs with..

Are you a touch player or a buller of the ball.

Are you a ball deflector or more of a hard hitting get your hand through the ball type.

[procricket]

well Saad what type of player are you ...

Quick hands slow hand
Are you strong..
What bats do you tend to use
What bat weight do you tend to score runs with..
Are you a touch player or a buller of the ball.
What important in  a bat to you (looks or one that will help you score runs)

Are you a ball deflector or more of a hard hitting get your hand through the ball type.

These are the questions I would always ask a player before he picks a bat

Hands vs weight is not a theory it works for me....

I do not have quick hands but I'm quite strong and have a stable technique but I find a heavier bat I can time the ball better due to being in a good position and not throwing my hands through it.

I also find too many people inhibit themselves with too lightweight/ or excseeivly heavy bats and hands speed vs mass weight is one of the most important questions answered.

But it goes back to the equipment vs quality of player question

will a better player using poor kit play better than a average player with top kit.

Working out your game is part of the game I love and so should people it the journey to finding what works for them..

For me pick up is important but so is coverage because as a club player I hit it all over the blade and need as much mass behind most of the bat as possible but still need to possibly play all the shots I know and do it for a longish period unless I get out early.