What constitutes an illegal "grooved" bat

[fredskinz]

Hi,

I have this Bill Buckner bat and it has some odd attributes. One side of the barrel is flat and there are lengthwise cracks underneath. I thought the bat was just smashedbon something, but after reading about Buckner's history of "grooving" I figured I'd ask the experts. I attached pics.

Thanks!

Fred

[maven]

The umpire would have to judge whether the bat's barrel was "smooth" and "round," per 1.10(a). Umpire judgment, but if the bat were visibly and intentionally altered (as opposed to worn with use) it would be more likely to be ruled illegal.

[Rich Ives]

Hi,

I have this Bill Buckner bat and it has some odd attributes. One side of the barrel is flat and there are lengthwise cracks underneath. I thought the bat was just smashedbon something, but after reading about Buckner's history of "grooving" I figured I'd ask the experts. I attached pics.

Thanks!

Fred

 

That's a broken bat. There's a chip missing and you can see the cracks in the bat in the second image.

 

As for the rule, the bat has to be smooth and round.

[noumpere]

This is  Bill Buckner's bat, or it's a Louisville Slugger Bill Buckner model?

[Stan W.]

That just looks like a flake came off the side......the bat shows other grain separations due to age...........

[Recontra]

That's a cool bat. Looks very old and wondering if it's the real deal.  Doesn't say, "Powerized" under the "Louisville," so it's not like any commercial Slugger I ever used.  Worth hanging on the wall or against a desk. I wouldn't even hit wiffle balls with it, though, due to the cracks.

[fredskinz]

99% sure its a game used bat, just trying to ascertain what happened to it. Its a K55 LS

[fredskinz]

Here are the pics

[johnnyg08]

This thread is significantly longer than I thought 

[MPLSUMP]

The bat is old and the wood is dried out.

[Rich Ives]

The bat is old and the wood is dried out.

 

Never seen an old wood bat just split up like that on its own. Lumber's usually kiln dried before it's turned into a bat.

[maven]

The bat is old and the wood is dried out.

 

Stop talking about @noumpere like that, it's disrespectful.

[noumpere]

 

The bat is old and the wood is dried out.

 

Stop talking about @noumpere like that, it's disrespectful.

 

And I've been trying for years to get my groove back.

[MPLSUMP]

Extreme heat and cold will destroy the best made bats.

[Ironhead17]

Seriously doubt he managed to "groove" it like that...just an old bat.