What is a shave bat?

Author: Adrien Botsford  |  Last update: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Bat shaving is a process that involves removing the end cap and thinning out the inner walls of the bat to increase the trampoline effect that happens when a ball hits it. This will greatly increase the pop and distance of the bat.

What does it mean when a bat is shaved?

Bat shaving is when the end cap is removed from the bat, and with the use of a digital lathe or drill, a layer of composite material from the interior walls is shaved down. This process decreases the thickness of the walls, increasing the trampoline effect.

Is a shaved bat illegal?

All baseball and softball associations classify bat shaving as an illegal act, considering it an alteration of the bat. This is primarily due to the fact that a shaved bat exceeds the associations' distance restrictions, rendering it unsuitable for regular play.

What is the difference between a rolled bat and a shaved bat?

Investing in rolled baseball bats ensures that the bat is game-ready the moment it arrives. Bat shaving occurs after the bat has been rolled or broken in. The bat shaving service will remove the end cap and shave down the inner walls of your bat, which increases the pop and distance of your hits.

Do shaved bats sound different?

A composite bat sounds hollow and deep; almost like a large rock was dropped into a well, splashing the water at the bottom. Shaved bats, on the other hand, though have a similar sound, leave much more to the ear. Two of the exact same bats can have drastically different production if one underwent shaving.

What is Bat Shaving?

How much distance does a shaved bat add?

When a bat is shaved it should always be rolled first to eliminate any need for break in time. It's not uncommon to pick up 40-50 feet of distance with a shaved and rolled bat. Shaving does shorten the bat's life due to the thinner walls.

What sound do bats hate?

Broadcasting ultrasonic sounds at the frequency range which bats use for echolocation may act as a deterrent by interfering with their ability to perceive echoes.

Why are USSSA bats illegal?

‍There is a clear distinction between USA and USSSA bats. USSSA bats are illegal in the Little League organization because they have “too much pop.” Removing these bats from the available list was primarily implemented as a safety issue.

Will a shaved bat pass a compression test?

Generally speaking, a broken in shaved bat will test lower than a very well broken in stock bat, but again........ there are exceptions. So the moral of the story is lower the compression score does not always translate into a hotter bat.

What type of bat hits harder?

Probably the most important reason is that scientific studies have shown that metal bats allow players to hit the ball faster and farther. Metal bats also tend to weigh less than wooden bats, making them easier to hold and swing. Also, metal bats do not break as easily as wooden bats.

Why are bat flips illegal?

Banning props, signs, and bat flips near or toward opponents can “reduce potential acts of unsportsmanlike conduct directed at opposing teams or players.” Now, these rules make sense.

Can you tell if a bat has been rolled?

Another way to tell if a bat has been rolled is the graphics peeling off the bat in odd places, normally where the end of the rollers meet the bat. Another way to tell if a bat has been rolled is by residue from bat roller material left behind on the bat. And this can cause "roller marks" to be left on the bat.

What does it mean when a bat is hot?

These bats are designed to hit the ball farther and harder, giving the player an advantage over their opponents. While there is no set definition of what constitutes a hot bat, these bats generally have a larger sweet spot, a more significant “trampoline effect,” and a higher exit velocity than a regular bat.

Why is flipping your bat rude?

In Canada and the United States, bat flips have traditionally been considered rude and inconsistent with baseball etiquette. Traditional etiquette and the unwritten rules of baseball espouse humility and discourage actions which may be interpreted as arrogant or showing up the opponents.

How do you test for a shaved bat?

Softball bats can be weighed using a kitchen scale to determine if they have been shaved or not. Shaved softball bats will generally weigh less than the sticker weight determined by softball bat manufacturers. The drill or lathe used to shave the bat can take off between 0.5 to two ounces of weight.

What happens to bats when they get wet?

The scientists think that wet bats, like most wet mammals, are cold, so they have to work harder to stay warm. And with water mussing their silky fur and dampening their wings, bedraggled bats might also be less aerodynamic. See more ScienceShots.

Should you grip a baseball bat hard or soft?

Always maintain a balance: your grip should be firm enough to control the bat but loose enough to allow for a full range of motion in your swing.

What is the alternative to a compression test?

S-testing: Another alternative technique is S-testing, which closely correlates with Corrugating Medium Test results but is far more accurate and time efficient.

Are shaved and rolled bats legal?

Both are considered cheating and we do NOT recommend these in any way! Ultimately they will result in: Legal Action: If someone is injured while using an altered bat the owner of the bat, person in the batters box and person who altered the bat are liable for the outcome and can face charges for the damages.

Why is the Marucci cat 5 illegal?

Admittedly, the Marucci CAT 5 BBCOR bats (MCB2) weren't all banned, just the 33 inch and 34 inch models. The reason for the decertification was because the CAT 5 made any player a homerun threat. The bats were hotter than the sun's surface and it didn't take long for the governing bodies to notice.

Which bat is hotter USA or USSSA?

USSSA is commonly referred to as the governing body of tournaments or “travel ball.” As mentioned, USSSA baseball bats are the hottest bats in baseball and should be swung whenever given the option. They offer a noticeable advantage over BBCOR bats, Wood bats, and USA baseball bats.

What does "rolling a bat" mean?

By rolling your bat you can enjoy the bat's maximum potential from the very first swing without putting all the wear and tear on it. The bat is placed between two rollers and then pressure is applied so that as the bat passes through the rollers the bat's fibers are stretched out.

What color do bats hate?

Hence, in order to limit the negative impact of light at night on bats, white and green light should be avoided in or close to natural habitat, but red lights may be used if illumination is needed.

What do bats fear most?

Fact: Bats are afraid of people and avoid them. Bat echolocation is highly sophisticated and enables them to detect obstacles as fine as human hair, therefore easily avoiding your head. If a bat gets close to a human, it's usually because they are curious about insects that are naturally attracted to people.

What does it mean when a bat hisses?

Bats hiss and make screeching sounds as a defense mechanism if they feel threatened.

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