Grip

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SC Dad beat me to it.

I don't doubt that some umpires might allow this and I can't really comment on what others might have said or told you. But "attached with safety tape" means just that.

I guess you could keep using it if you want, until somebody tells you not to. Just don't be too surprised if somebody tells you not to!

 

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Rule 3 Section 1D: The safety grip can be made of cork, tape or other synthetic material and must be permanently attached and cover the handle region of the bat. No bare metal may be exposed in the area covered by safety grip. It shall not be less than 10 inches and not more than 15 inches. Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone, or choke up device must be attached to the grip with safety tape. Resin, pine tar, or spray substances are permissible on the safety grip only.

It could be attached with safety tape on the grip and would be no problem to do.

In a short period of time we have seen the improvements.

I think the amount of hits produced by SBfamilys team could help some of you that are not hitting or are not being able to teach the hand path or grip improve your team batting average.

Do not use it...who actually cares and let the results speak for itself.

I do not view it as a crutch and only as a tool to teach with. We have had success without it however it speeds up the process of learning in my opinion.

Howard

 

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Bret I'm being told by the inventor he was behind the change to allow this device to be used and that is why 3-1d was put in the rule book this year. I'm thinking he went thru the ASA. I will ask him, but makes sense to me that a new rule was put into effect for a reason. Bret it will not move or come off the bat without someone actually taking it off. As an umpire you know of any other device or reason for the change? I have seen no reason for this change in any game and you know we see a bunch, then this device. This is one time I disagree with Len's reasoning. On politics we are normnally agree, but I get this reasoning more from the other side of the fence. .

 

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Anybody on this forum a dealer for them? I can see the value but I'd like to get one and learn how to properly use it during training and warmups.

 

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None that I know of. I know Bustos is looking into handling them. I will have some at every tourney and I know Howard has one. PM me and let me know where you will be playing at and I will let you use one. The only reason I posted this to begin with is the feedback I'm getting from the kids that I work with. Two lessons last week one kid from Ks , her dad told me she went 5 for 5 when she got home. The other went 3 for 3 with two extra base hits. Was it the device, I have no idea, but the kids believe it did.

 

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My daughter is on a good path to becoming a better hitter both in her swing mechanics and her mental approach but I'm always for helping her out even more.

And as we know, it doesn't matter if it was new gloves, this device, change of sunflower seeds flavor, etc... if they believe it to be real, it is.

 

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PM Sent.

 

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Bret I'm being told by the inventor he was behind the change to allow this device to be used and that is why 3-1d was put in the rule book this year. I'm thinking he went thru the ASA. I will ask him, but makes sense to me that a new rule was put into effect for a reason. Bret it will not move or come off the bat without someone actually taking it off. As an umpire you know of any other device or reason for the change? I have seen no reason for this change in any game and you know we see a bunch, then this device. This is one time I disagree with Len's reasoning. On politics we are normnally agree, but I get this reasoning more from the other side of the fence. .

There are grips that can be attached under the bat grip that makes it feel more like holding a hammer or axe handle. However it would make the sweet spot area fatigue because you would be hitting in the same area every time and void the warranty.

Those that believe the grip is a crutch go back to using wood and forget the technology improvements yours daughters are currently enjoying verses teach good hitting mechanics in my opinion.

Howard

 

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This is one time I disagree with Len's reasoning. On politics we are normnally agree, but I get this reasoning more from the other side of the fence. .

...and it's okay to disagree with me. I guess I'm just a purist that likes to complain whenever something new is allowed in the game. I complained when my dad made me switch to aluminum from wood, I complain about the dumded down balls and hot forgiving bats (yes my dd has one), I hate the thought of time limits, yada yada yada.......

Len

 

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Bret I'm being told by the inventor he was behind the change to allow this device to be used and that is why 3-1d was put in the rule book this year. I'm thinking he went thru the ASA. I will ask him, but makes sense to me that a new rule was put into effect for a reason. Bret it will not move or come off the bat without someone actually taking it off.

Neither Bret nor I are saying they aren't legal - we're just saying the rule clearly states they need to be attached with safety tape. Anyone that wants to use them in games should be prepared for that requirement.

As an umpire you know of any other device or reason for the change? I have seen no reason for this change in any game and you know we see a bunch, then this device.

The other devices listed in the rule, knob covers and flare cones, have been issues in the past. I imagine the inventor of this device lobbied to have the molded finger grip included in the list.

 

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I will put this to rest, when I get his e mail or see Warren Jones.

 

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The Bat Jack can be used in many different ways. It is legal for game use in fast-pitch softball under rule 3-1D ASA. Many players are using it during soft toss, off the tee and also during batting practice. It is also ideal for one hand drills (either top hand or bottom hand) keeping a strong and properly positioned grip on the bat.

This was the response and he got it cleared thru the ASA.

 

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SB,
When you use them are you just using for top hand or do you use 2, one for each hand?
Thanks.

 

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I would say the device is legal...so long as it is permanently attached to the bat with safety tape, exactly as the rule requires. No tape = not good to go.

I don't know that I'm buying the inventors claim that he is the person responsible for "lobbying ASA to get the rule changed". The rule change process is a little more complex than that. Proposals must be submitted to regional directors, kicked up the chain to the national level, pass through a rule committee to see if they will even be put to a vote by the entire body, then voted on and passed before making it into the rule book. It's really kind of impossible for any one individual to "lobby ASA" to get a rule changed.

Players in the slow pitch game had been clamoring for years to use various grips, knob cuffs and handle attachments. My understanding is that they were the ones behind getting this rule changed and that they did it by going through the above noted channels.

 

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I would say the device is legal...so long as it is permanently attached to the bat with safety tape, exactly as the rule requires. No tape = not good to go.

I agree. This is exactly how it reads.

Len

 

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Bretman, what is your definition of safety tape?

Duct tape, athletic tape, electric tape.....I want to experiment and see which ways work best as the grip will have to moved so as not to void the bat warranty.

Thanks Howard

 

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I would say the device is legal...so long as it is permanently attached to the bat with safety tape, exactly as the rule requires. No tape = not good to go.

Can anything really be attached permanently with safety tape?

 

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Bretman, what is your definition of safety tape?

Duct tape, athletic tape, electric tape.....I want to experiment and see which ways work best as the grip will have to moved so as not to void the bat warranty.

Thanks Howard

It's not "my" rule or definition. It's ASA's rule and definition.

"Safety tape" could best be described as athletic tape, I guess. It's definitely not duct tape or electrical tape....or scotch tape or painter's tape or packing tape...or any other kind of tape. It is tape normally associated with providing friction and grip on a bat handle or other piece of athletic equipment. It can't be tape with a smooth, slick finish.

 

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This is 3M Safety Tape. Can you use this?

 

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It's not "my" rule or definition. It's ASA's rule and definition.

"Safety tape" could best be described as athletic tape, I guess. It's definitely not duct tape or electrical tape....or scotch tape or painter's tape or packing tape...or any other kind of tape. It is tape normally associated with providing friction and grip on a bat handle or other piece of athletic equipment. It can't be tape with a smooth, slick finish.

Bretman thank you. I was not implying it was your rule. I was trying to clarify what constitutes "safety tape" as there are different types of athletic tape.

The one I am most familiar with is tacky and feels like canvas and I could make that work and it comes in many colors.

There is another type that is slick however it has a shiny finish and is not as tacky.

I want to make sure I am using the correct tape.

Thanks Howard