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[jonny77]

I don't mean to be a killjoy, but isn't this bat illegal?

Why?

[jonny77]

As with Butterfly, imo the blue won't just automatically mean your getting a gun bat at a cheaper price. Bats still need to be made right and if they're are, they'll perform. But will they perform better than a non blue? I genuinely believe a lot to do with bats and batsmen is purely psychological.

Companies need to sell butterfly willow and Blue Willow (or want to as there are good margins to make on it). The more hype, the easier to sell. Tell a batter he's got a gun and he's more confident, he'll probably score more runs and believes it's the blue or the stain making that bat a 'gun'. In reality, it's no better than any other grade, type of willow if made correctly by the likes of Alex, Alfred etc. Apart from offering better value maybe. 

They'll never sell as well in retail, as people buy on looks. Unless, there's a hype created around them of course (see abv). Marketing basics I suppose.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Why?

Specs?

[jonny77]

Sorry, you've lost me. Are you referring the one in the GN video?

[Bats_Entertainment]

No, the MBS with 42.5mm edges and 66.5mm spine.

[jonny77]

It may squeeze through the gauge, but would be tight. However, I haven't seen a bat checked at our level (ECB Prem and 2 Divs below) ever, so what does it matter?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Forgot the max spine height was 67mm, to be honest.

[Bats_Entertainment]

I like honest sports-persons.

[myic90]

As with Butterfly, imo the blue won't just automatically mean your getting a gun bat at a cheaper price. Bats still need to be made right and if they're are, they'll perform. But will they perform better than a non blue? I genuinely believe a lot to do with bats and batsmen is purely psychological.

Companies need to sell butterfly willow and Blue Willow (or want to as there are good margins to make on it). The more hype, the easier to sell. Tell a batter he's got a gun and he's more confident, he'll probably score more runs and believes it's the blue or the stain making that bat a 'gun'. In reality, it's no better than any other grade, type of willow if made correctly by the likes of Alex, Alfred etc. Apart from offering better value maybe. 

They'll never sell as well in retail, as people buy on looks. Unless, there's a hype created around them of course (see abv). Marketing basics I suppose.

So you haven't noticed anything to support this in your experience Jonny? Do you get much of the blue wood shipped? And any customer preference for it?

[myic90]

I like honest sports-persons.

Eh, I play park cricket, we don't have the same rules as MCC approved tournaments.

Like Jonny said, it just about goes over the gauge, it's not egregious. Besides the bat's quite narrowed, about 105-106mm width so in all fairness I'm still working with about the same amount of wood, just shaped differently I guess. /shrug

[jonny77]

Just my opinion, but I just feel a lot of talk of Butterfly, Blue etc is just the new 'straight narrow grains are best' chat. When this was in more abundance, it made sense to sell it as the best.
Now it's not, companies need to start selling other types of willow like Butterfly, blue etc, which due to years of selling pretty willow as better, is difficult to do to the masses/retailers as they're conditioned to think otherwise. So, how do you do that? You market it as the next best thing (not saying Alex is doing this particularly here, he's just giving an honest opinion on bats to a client. I'm talking more broadly)

I'm not saying they don't make great bats, they do. But do they perform any better than others? Almost impossible to quantify, as there are so many variables. I've had and seen loads of bats in all grades through the workshop and in all sizes, which perform brilliantly. On the flip side, ones in all grades and sizes which don't perform as nicely. There are so many variables, which could affect how a bat is perceived to perform that it's almost impossible to quantify. I honestly think people need to stop trying to find the unicorn, buy a bat they're happy with and just get better at using it. But maybe I'm just too simplistic. However, it's odd that pro's are pro's because they have more talent, practice more, train harder, are much fitter/stronger, play against quicker bowlers on better decks isn't it? Or is it just that they have a 'pro bat' or a 'blue willow gun'? 🤔

Think of the variables in each bat made  -

Growing conditions
Willow make up/structure
Density
Natural defects
Drying/processing methods
Pressing
Shaping
Handles!
Knocking in
Aftercare

Not to mention potentially the most important...
User skill level
User confidence level
User fitness level
Playing conditions, weather
Ball
Pitch
Opponent skill level
Mentality
Getting triggered LBW by an umpire after hitting the ball for four backwards of square (ok, so this may just be my issue 😆)

I appreciate people probably don't want to agree, as chasing the bat/secret which will unlock that IPL contract is part of the fun. But in my opinion and limited experience, the only real secret is talent and hard work. After getting a good bat you're confident with, which isn't hard and doesn't need to be a specific type of willow or a gauge buster (again, I've seen people hit huge sixers, score plenty of runs with small bats and I've actually scored tons with old school bats and new bigger bats. So, maybe I've scored the runs, not the bats).

[Kulli]

I propose a one month ban for such heresy. 

[willmau5]

I don't believe you, @jonny77. If I had one of your super short T20 blades I'd be opening for Sunrisers. The fact I'm 40, 2 stone overweight and my highest achievement is failing county trials at U11 level is completely unrelated.

[Buzz]

Disgraceful comments @jonny77

😂😂😂

[thegowerwaft]

@jonny77  why would you say this so close to the season...

I am sad... this makes me sad 😔