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[mo_town]

Hello,

I have come across quite a few posts on the forum where people have mentioned using a counter balance on the handle to improve the pickup of bats.

I acquired an SF LB last season. It was my first experience of using an LB blade and the feelings were mixed. For one, I felt that the stance improves quite a bit for a tall player when using an LB blade. But on the flip side, I somehow felt that the distribution of the weight caused the bat to pick up heavier for its weight. I want to experiment with adding some counter weight to see if that improves the pick up but wanted to understand a few things before.

Firstly, do counter balances really work? If yes, then whats the science behind it.

Secondly, whats the best way to add counter balances to a bat? Is wrapping golf tape on the top off the handle of the bat the best way to achieve it?

Any inputs would be really appreciated.

[InternalTraining]

Yes it works. I have two duck bill shaped bats that felt toe-heavy for their weight.

The counter-balance works by moving the balance-point of the bat higher so the bat _feels_ like it picks up lighter. 

I use a rolled-up second grip which serves two purposes: 1. acts as a counter-balance; 2. keeps my top hand from sliding up the handle.

[WalkingWicket37]

If you want it to work, it will work.
If you're a non-beleiver it will not work.

I think it's very much a placebo effect personally, but others swear by it.

[edge]

For me it works up to a point - a bit of extra makes the bat pick up marginally lighter, too much and it just feels like you've added weight (funny that!)

[Kez]

Yes it works. I have two duck bill shaped bats that felt toe-heavy for their weight.

Isn't the duckbill shape meant to improve the pick up? as there is no wood in the toe?

[ppccopener]

Newbury did it years(years!) back. I believe it was called the counterbalance bat. Screw of the top of the handle and there were counter balance discs in there-if memory serves me right.

Newbury also developed a foam lightweight handle called C6 before it was outlawed so as a Company they were very progressive back-in-the-day.

personally I cannot see any benefit in a counter balanced handle, I think it's all in the mind.

A bit like if someone gives you, or you buy, a genuine pro's bat you think it will help you score runs-it simply wont.

each to their own thou, if you think it will work it probably does.

[WalkingWicket37]

Newbury did it years(years!) back. I believe it was called the counterbalance bat. Screw of the top of the handle and there were counter balance discs in there-if memory serves me right.

Newbury also developed a foam lightweight handle called C6 before it was outlawed so as a Company they were very progressive back-in-the-day.

Newbery's current bats are likely to have nails in the handles instead, if rumors are to be believed...

[mo_town]

Lot of mixed responses . I guess it is something which one needs to try for themselves as there is no clear answer to the question. Any suggestions on what can be used to create the counter balance. A rolled up second grip sounds like a good idea but wouldnt there be a chance of it sliding etc?

[mo_town]

The search function isn't the best but there are already a lot of threads on this that answer your questions

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=41162.0
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=26767.0
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=15531.0
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=35382.msg555418#msg555418
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37587.15
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37356.msg594813#msg594813

Having had a bit of a play around I'd rather find a bat with the balance I like in the weight that feels right rather than bodge something on an existing bat but there are pros and non-pros alike who seem to be in to it. Buy some lead tape, add 50g to the top of the handle and give it a go. Alternatively, removing the toe guard will have a similar effect

Thanks for the links! Found them very useful. I will play around with Lead Tape and see how it goes.

[InternalTraining]

Isn't the duckbill shape meant to improve the pick up? as there is no wood in the toe?

My bats have 2.5 '' - 3'' of beak (for lack of a better term ) and then the low end of a very high spine. So, the bulk of the willow is in mid-low area of the bat which made it pick up heavier than other bats of the weight (2.11 - 2.12 range).

[mo_town]

Also, I do see some bats like the H4L which come with a counterbalance in the handle. Is that just an aesthetic design thing or to improve the pick up of the bats?

[Seniorplayer]

I do t to all my bats as i like a super light pick up but don't want a thick heavy handle  also not at the expense of less  wood  in the bat.also tried many materials including  ball bearing inserts in the top of the handle but find strips of  2 inch lead flashing at the top of the handle  works best the  lead  is held in place by electrical tape and cut grips  also found for the same pickup I needed I had to use a lot of other  materials which created to big of a  knob at the top of the handle.

[GoodLeave]

Someone is putting LV inserts in the handle to weight them, but for the life of me I can't remember who...

I could google it, but where's the fun in that!

[Gurujames]

The benefit of it as a counterbalance is dependent on its weight and distance from the fulcrum (your hands). As the counter balance would be so close to your hands the weight of it would have to be really quite substantial to make a noticeable difference, most people would struggle to notice a toe guard glued 30 inches from their hands, how would they feel something even 5 times a toe guard's weight 1inch from their hands? I think much of it is in the mind.

[Blazer]

Newbery Merlin is the one with LV.