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Glossary of Baseball
Bat Collecting terms |
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The most
comprehensive Glossary of baseball Bat
collectible terms on the internet. Complete with
pictures, and cross reference links. Links that are
available will lead to another section of this page or
open in a new window. Use the
Visual Glossary if you
know what it looks like but don't know what it's
called. |
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Select the first letter of the word, term, or phrase that you
are looking for the meaning of.
-Or- scroll down to browse. |
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BASEBALL MEMORABILIA & COLLECTIBLES GLOSSARY |
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Ace - A branding for a high-end line of baseball bats offered by the baseball bat manufacture M.R. Campbell Inc. of Tullahoma Tenn. Some have been attributed to use by Major League players.
Acorn Knob - Similar to the Mushroom knob baseball bat but closer resembles an acorn. The knob was designed to provide a bat that was properly balanced, and therefore easier for a player to manipulate.
Adirondack - A baseball bat manufacture that started production in 1946. In 1971 Adirondack was purchased and was combined with the Rawlings Sporting Goods divison. From 1983 through 1997 both Adirondack and Rwalings was used in the center brand. In 1998 Adirondack was removed from the labeling for good, using only the Rawlings brand name.
A.G. Spalding & Bros. - Spalding - A sporting goods company founded in 1876 by Albert Spalding, a pitcher and the manager of the Chicago White Stockings. The company has had a long history of manufacturing a full line of athletic equipment including baseballs bats.
A.H. Leathers Mfg. Co. - (Leathers) was a tool handle manufacturer established in 1879 in Centre County Pennsylvania before moving to Dickson Tennessee in 1898. Leathers initially made items such as tool handles for picks, axes, etc., and began manufacturing baseball bats in the 1920's. Their flagship baseball bat was the Dixie Swatter.
A.J. Reach - Reach
sporting goods company was formed by former
player and founder of the Philadelphia
Phillies franchise in 1874. The company was then sold to A.G. Spalding in 1889. In 1928, A.G. Spalding & Brothers who controlled 99.7% of the Wright & Ditson company's shares, consolidated Reach and the Wright & Ditson-Victor Co. into A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson, Inc.
Alex Taylor & Co. - Established in 1897, at one time Alex Taylor was one of the major Sporting Goods store located in New York, N.Y. Originally located on 16 E. 42nd The company relocated several times in Manhattan's Time Square area, until it's closing and final location on 38th street. It is not known when the company went out of business but like most of the independent outlets, they most likely succumbed to the onset of the large chains.
Auction - An offering of baseball collectibles where the buyer must bid against other potential buyers, as opposed to ordering an item from a store, catalog, price list, or advertisement at a set price.
Auction House - A firm that conducts auctions. A venue to hold auctions offering items to be bid on. A company that holds live auctions in house or and on the internet. Popular auction houses include eBay, Heritage Auction Galleries, Lelands sotheby's, and others.
Authentication - Verifying the originality or genuineness of a sports collectibles item. For signed/autographed baseball bats, the most well known third party authentication service is PSA/DNA. Without proper authentication you must depend on the selling dealer's knowledge and integrity.
Autograph Series - Or Signature model, a line of bats with a players signature stamped or branded into the bat, implying an endorsement by that player.
Axeltree Bat - A baseball bat from repurposed axcletrees. A bar or beam of wood or iron, connecting the opposite wheels of a carriage, on the ends of which the wheels revolve. Spalding sold a line of Axle Tree bats from around the1880's to the early 1890's. |
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Ball &
Handle Bat - A baseball bat with
a large, round wooden knob just a bit
smaller than a baseball, most commonly
used in the late 19th and early 20th
century.
Ball Balanced - Keeping
up with the competition, the J.F.
Hillerich & Son company came out with the
"Ball Balanced" baseball bat shortly
after the A.G. Spalding & Bros. patented
the Mushroom knob baseball bat in 1903.
The knob was designed to provide a bat
that was properly balanced, and therefore
easier for a player to manipulate.
Barrel
- the business end of the baseball bat.
The thickest part of the bat that is
intended to meet the ball.
Barrel
Brand - The markings stamped or
burned onto the barrel of a baseball bat
by the manufacturer, usually identifying
the player's name, and registered
trademark(s) of the manufacturer. The
player's name may appear in block letters,
indicating that the manufacturer has no
right to produce bats for anyone other
than the player whose name appears on the
bat. The player's name may appear in a
scripted or facsimile signature version,
referred to as signature model, which
indicates that the manufacturer has the
right to produce bats for the public,
minor league teams, and college teams,
bearing the player's name. Such an
arrangement is referred to as an
endorsement contract.
Baseball Bat - (Bat) A
smooth wooden or metal club used in the
sport of baseball to hit the ball after it
is thrown by the pitcher. The bulk of the
collectors value for a baseball bat relies
on the players endorsement, and will vary
based on player demand. Value will
otherwise rely on vintage baseball bat
features such as with a ring bat, knob
style, decal, or ornate engraving. Rare
and notable bat brands, or bats produce
for a company that does not manufacture
baseball bats and uses that companies
brand name could carry a premium.
BE - Board Of Education.
A bat stamped with the letters "BE" was
offered to Schools. These bats were
typically Indoor or playground bats.
Belknap - A wholesale
hardware supply co. established in 1840.
Since 1890 their catalog included a line
of sporting goods which
included baseball bats that were made
by other manufacturers. Blue Grass was one
of the private
labels used. The company went
bankrupt in 1985.
Bicentennial Bat - (1776-1976
Liberty Bell Stamp) 1976
Louisville slugger baseball bats feature
the Bicentennial logo stamped to the right
of the center brand oval. Store model bats
have "Powerized" between the oval, and the
Bicentennial logo.
Big Stick - A line of
bats produced by
Adirondack Bats Inc., and later
Rawlings.
Billet -
Select timber is made made into four
inches square, 42 inches long "Blanks"
or "Billets" which would then be added to
a lathe and turned into baseball bats.
Black Bat - Also known as
a World series
"Black Bat" They were given
to participating players, and dignitaries
from teams in the world series. They have
facsimile signatures of the entire team in
gold on a dark black ebony bat.
Block Letter Bat - The
name of a ballplayer produced in block
letter type style rather than in a
signature style. Some are produced with
only a last name, followed by the words
"Model," "Type," or "Style," indicating
that the manufacture does not have
permission to use the players name. Full
name block letter bats are sometimes used
on lower quality bats even if the player
is under an endorsement contract, in which
that players signature would be used on
higher quality bats.
Bottle Bat - A bat with a
very thick barrel in proportion to its
handle, resembling a bottle.
Bunting Bat - AKA
"Sacrifice Bat " - A
flat barrel bat common to the late 19th
century used to
"sacrifice hit" or bunt. (used for
sacrifice hitting) in a 1890 guide where
it was suggested that "Sacrifice Hits"
should be given more credit in the stats,
and given credit to the batting average,
For example 3 Sacrifice hits count as one
hit. It was stated in one guide that the
importance of a sacrifice hit far out
weighs the silliness of trying for a a
home run. The National League outlawed the
flat bats in 1893.
Burnish - Burnt Finish -
A process or method to harden the wood by
the application of friction and heat
applied to the bat While it is still in
the turning-lathe and rotated at a high
speed. All the bat manufacturers offered a
bat with a burnt finish, Flame Burnt
Finish or "burning"
but Louisville Slugger patented the
"Burnished" finish in 1902.
Patent No.716541 Baseball Bat |
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Cambridge
Sporting Goods Corp. -
Established in 1943 Cambridge was a
sporting Goods wholesale distributor
located in North Bergen NJ. They carried a
full line of sporting goods made by the
major manufactures but also carried a
Cambridge line of sporting goods that were
manufactured and privately branded for
them by other companies. Louisville
Slugger manufactured the Cambridge branded
baseball Bats.
Center Brand - Also known
as Bat Label. A term used with collectible
baseball bats. The markings stamped or
burned onto the center face of a bat by
the bat manufacturer, usually identifying
the name, location, and registered
trademark(s) of the manufacturer. The
center brand can be useful in determining
The date or era a bat was made.
Cleat Marks -
Indentations or cuts usually located on
the barrel and/or knob, created by the
player striking his cleats with the bat to
remove dirt and/or grass embedded in his
spikes. Other evidence of cleat marks
could be the color transfer of the leather
surface of the cleat onto the bat, usually
seen as black blotches.
Coaches Bat (Old Timers
Bat) - These usually have all the markings
of a professional game bat of players, but
the labeling period dates after the
player's active career. They are sometimes
marked with special dates.
College Bat - Bat
manufactures afforded
schools, and colleges the opportunity
to order signature model baseball bats
with the approximate
specifications used
by professional ballplayers. The
name of the college or initials would be
branded into the barrel below the
players name.
Commemorative Bat - A
term used for a bat produced as a memorial
or mark an event or a players personal
accomplishment. A term also used as, and
including World Series
black bats and All
Star Models. These bats were never sold in
stores.
Condition - The state of
preservation or grade of a memorabilia
item. Condition is a major factor in the
value. The better the condition, the more
desirable an item is, and thus, the more
valuable it has.
Cracker Jack
- An
inexpensive Baseball bat sold by Hillerich
& Bradsby (Louisville Slugger) during the
1920s-1950s. Possibly taking advantage of
the snacks popularity the Bat has no
relationship with the Cracker Jack candy.
Crowell League - A
baseball bat produced exclusively for the
Crowell Junior Salesman program
allowing boy's to earn cash or prizes by
selling and delivering Crowell Publishing
magazines.
Cup Bat - in 1941 Hanna Batrite
introduced the
cup bat.
This feature removed (cupped out) the excess weight
from the end of the bat and gave the bat a
new center of balance as well as a
smoother, more accurate swing.
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D&M - Established in 1840,
Draper and Maynard Company became a pioneer
in the manufacture of baseball gloves in
1882 when it produced a padded model at the
suggestion of a baseball player. In 1900
Draper-Maynard opened a new factory in
Plymouth and became a major supplier of
baseball equipment for both amateur and
professional teams. The business closed in
Plymouth in 1937 after the death of John
Maynard. That same year, P. Goldsmith Sons
Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, purchased the
rights to produce sporting goods bearing the
Draper-Maynard name and
Lucky Dog trademark.
Dash-Dot-Dash
- A stamping
used within the oval center brand on early
Louisville Slugger baseball bats up until 1921 when
dash-dot-dash was replaced with "MADE IN
U.S.A."
Decal Bat -
A picture or design made then
transferred to a baseball bat from specially
prepared paper. Baseball bat manufactures
advertised decal bats as having a picture of
the ballplayer, or transfer. Today decal
bats are highly desired by collectors. It is
common to find bats with just a trace of the
decal, or totally worn away. The percentage
of the decal remaining will dictate the
value.
Dealer - A person who buys
and sells collectibles professionally for a
profit. Sports cards and sports memorabilia
dealers are usually very knowledgeable about
their specialty, and talking with them is a
valuable experience for collectors.
Department Store label -
Specially labeled baseball bats that were
produced by Hillerich & Bradsby, to be sold
at various department stores and mail order
companies. Some of these bats do feature the
company name, that they were made for.
Different from the standard trademark logos
used by Hillerich & Bradsby, this
labeling features 4 Trapezoidal shapes at
each corner giving the appearance of an
oval. It also reads Louisville at the top
and Kentucky at the bottom.
Diamond Ball - A term used
in reference to the
trademark
center brand logo used
by Spalding on their baseball bats from 1926
to 1934.
Diamond MFG. Co. -
"Diamond Brand" is the in-store brand for
the Shapleigh Hardware Co. St. Louis,
Missouri. Founded in 1843 by Augustus
Frederick Shapleigh, by the early 1900's the
Hardware supplier carried a full range of
household goods, hardware, guns, and knives
with the private brand "Diamond Edge" logo.
In 1901 Saunders Norvell of Simmons
Hardware, bought into the company and used
the name, Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware. In
1918 the name was changed to Shapleigh
Hardware Co. Their catalog also included a
line of baseball Bats made by the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Durorized - A treatment
applied to Rawlings baseball bats that
minimizes chipping, peeling and in addition
increases the life and driving power of the
bat. |
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eBay - The World's Online Marketplace®,
enabling trade on a local, national and
international basis. With a diverse and
passionate community of individuals and
small businesses, eBay offers an online
platform where millions of items are traded
each day.
E.C. Simmons American -
(Simmons) was the in store brand of the
Simmons Hardware Company, a hardware
manufacturer founded in 1871. In 1922 the
firm was sold to Winchester Repeating Arms,
and because of the great depression in 1934,
Winchester filed for bankruptcy. The company
reorganization, in 1935, and In 1940 Simmons
assets was sold to Shapleigh Hardware
Company. Shapleigh went out of business in
1959.The bats were made by Louisville
Slugger
Ed Maynard Sporting Goods -
Located in Plymouth New Hampshire, Ed
Maynard Inc. was a company started up in
1932, by John Edward Maynard, son of John
Fernando Maynard, co-founder of the
Draper and Maynard
Sporting Goods Co. Ed Maynard's Sporting
Goods company, was a manufacturer of outdoor
clothing, and of sports equipment that
included tennis rackets, Skis, uniforms,
baseball bats and gloves. Ed Maynard Inc.
filed for bankruptcy in 1941.
EX - Abbreviation. Short for Excellent a
term used regarding the grade or condition
of a collectible
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Facsimile Signature - Also
known as Facsimile autograph. A stamped or
printed reproduction of an autograph as
might appear on a baseball card, photograph,
souvenir baseball, glove or baseball bat
endorsed by a player of note. A signature
model baseball bat will have the Facsimile
Signature or autograph of the player
endorsing it. More information on
Facsimile
Signatures
Flame Burnt Finish -
Burnished -
A process or method to harden the wood by
the application of friction and heat
applied to the bat While it is still in
the turning-lathe and rotated at a high
speed. All the bat manufacturers offered a
bat with a burnt finish, Flame Burnt
Finish or "burning"
but Louisville Slugger patented the
"Burnished" finish in 1902.
Patent No.716541 Baseball Bat
Flame-Fused -
A term used by Wilson Sporting goods for a
process of treating the wood to minimize
chipping, peeling, and prolong the life of
the bat.
Flame Tempered - A
Louisville Slugger bat stamping indicating a
process of drying and hardening the wood
with lower grade baseball bats.
Flame Treated -
Adirondack
Bats
Inc. bat stamping indicating a process of
drying and hardening the wood.
Flared Knob
- Also referred to as a Tapered Konb it
gradually become wider from the handle to
the end of the bat.
Foil Bat
- A bat that is
branded using a heat foil pressing, a
lightly imprinted process compared to
the burned in impression left by
conventional branding.
Fungo Bat - A long,
lightweight baseball bat used by coaches
during pregame hitting or practice to help
them hit grounders and pop flys with more
consistency and less fatigue.
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G - Abbreviation. Short for
Good, a term used regarding the grade or
condition of a collectible.
Gamer - A term used to
describe a game used piece of equipment such
as a baseball bat or glove.
Game issued - A uniform,
cap, helmet or piece of equipment
such as a baseball bat manufactured and designed for use in a
college or professional game or sporting
event. A "game issued" bat was ordered by
the player to be used but is not "game-used"
until it actually makes its way into an
actual game.
Game Used - A piece of
equipment that has been used by a
professional player of note during a game
such as a baseball bat or glove. A piece of
equipment used in a professional game such
as a "game used" base. For example a bat
used by a professional baseball player like
Mickey Mantle is "Game Used" A bat that was
used in a little league game is a used bat
not a "Game used" bat.
Game Used Cards - A card
that has a piece of game used memorabilia
embedded into the card. These are often
thicker than regular issue cards.
Glasgrip - A fiberglass
grip applied to the handle of Louisville
Slugger Little League baseball bats sometime
around 1963. These bats also have a
black foil "Glasgrip"
branding on the barrel.
Gold Medal - A line of of
baseball bats that were made available in
the A.G. Spalding & Brothers catalogs from
1905-1918. The
Gold Medal bats were carefully tested as
to balance, shape, quality of timber, weight
finish, etc., before being packed, and a
Guarantee tag was attached to each bat. The
tag also listed who turned the bat and the
inspectors name. The Guarantee tag reads:
"If this bat proves defective in any
particular, during this season in which it
is purchased, return with this tag to any of
our stores, or the dealer from whom you
purchased it."
Goldsmith - P. Goldsmith's
Sons Co. a Cincinnati sporting goods &
baseball glove manufacturer, founded by
Philip Goldsmith. After a short partnership
with Wolf Fletcher in 1875, making
baseballs, the company was known as
P.Goldsmith & Co. by 1890. In 1906 the name
was changed to P. Goldsmith's Sons Co.
Goldsmith bought out two struggling sporting
goods companies in 1936 & 1937. Draper
Maynard and Crawford, McGregor & Canby Co.
which became MacGregor Golf Co. Around 1944
Goldsmith added the MacGregor name to their
products and became known as "MacGregor
Goldsmith" Finally, in 1952 the Goldsmith
name was dropped entirely and the company
was simply called MacGregor.
Goldsmith Baseball Bat Dating Guide
Grade - A description of
the condition of a sports card or sports
memorabilia item such as a bat. Grade is
always a big component of price. The higher
the grade, the more desirable, and
consequently, the more valuable the item.
Grier Mfg Co. - A baseball
bat manufacturer that was purchased in 1927
from the the
Zinn Beck
Bat Co. of Greenville, South Carolina.
The company was sold to Zenas C. Grier for
about $50,000. Grier was the General Manager
of the Zinn Beck Bat Company, which was
owned by Allen J, Graham and associates. The
name of the company was then changed to
Grier MFG Co., but Grier continued to
produce Zinn Back bats for a short time into
the 1930's. The company is believed to have
operated into the early 1940's. |
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H&B - Short
for Hillerich & Bradsby - makers of the
Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Also used as an
H&B standard trademark baseball bat
label.
Hall Of Fame Bat - A commemorative
type bat issued by the Baseball Hall of Fame
in Cooperstown NY. These bats have dates
bearing back to the first Baseball Hall of
Fame inductions in 1939 though they were not
offered through the HOF until the early
1980s.
Hawthorne - A Sporting
Goods Brand sold at
Montgomery Ward Department stores & mail
order catalog.
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. -
Makers of the Louisville Slugger, a baseball
bat manufacturing company that began turning
baseball bats in 1884 as
J.F.
Hillerich & Son Co. In 1916
Frank Bradsby joined the company and Bradsby
is added to the company name, and then
changed to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. In
2016 Wilson Sporting Goods
acquired the Louisville Slugger brand from
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Hologram - The silvery,
laser etched trademark printed as an
anti-counterfeiting device by sports card
and memorabilia manufacturers, and
authenticators. As this
hologram seen on this
baseball bat authenticated by MEARS. |
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Inch
Marks - A term used with baseball
bats referring to the number stamped into
the knob of the bat indicating the length on
store model bats. Model number is not an
inch mark.
Indoor Bat - A line of
baseball bats used to play indoor baseball.
Indoor baseball was invented in 1887 by
George Hancock of Chicago. The game became
popular with Colleges, and High school girls
and boys. When the game was taken outdoors
around 1907, it was called “playground
ball,” and eventually renamed softball.
Inscription - An extra note
or notation added by a player when signing
an autograph. A player might add an
Inscription on request, or at an autograph
show an extra fee might be charged. On the
resale market collectors will also pay a
premium for inscriptions such as "500 Home
runs," and pay less for personal
inscriptions like "Good Luck Mary" |
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JC Higgins - From 1908
until 1961 Sears, Roebuck & Company sold a
wide variety of sporting goods, under the
brand name "J. C. Higgins." John Higgins was
the manager of the headquarters' office
bookkeepers. John Higgins consented to Sears
use of his name for a new line of sporting
goods. Since he did not have a middle
initial, Sears added the "C." The J.C.
Higgins brand disappeared shortly after
Sears introduced the Ted Williams brand of
sporting and recreation goods in 1961. Sears
JC Higgins private
labeled baseball bats were
made by
Louisville Slugger.
J.F.
Hillerich & Son Co. - was a
woodworking company that began turning
baseball bats in 1884 when John Andrew "Bud" Hillerich working as an apprentice in his
fathers shop created a bat for professional
baseball player Pete Browning who went by
the nickname "The Louisville Slugger." The
name "Louisville Slugger" became the
company's registered trademark in 1894, and
Bud joined his father as a partner in 1897.
In 1916 Frank Bradsby joined the company and
Bradsby is added to the company name, and
then changed to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. AKA
Louisville Slugger
(bat dating gude).
Joe
Engel Bat Company - Joe
Engel pitched for the Washington Senators,
from 1912-15, and 1920. He became one of the
most successful scouts in history, a
promoter and team owner of the Chattanooga
Lookouts. In 1951 Engel recruited the
expertise of Garnett Beck, and formed the
Joe Engle Bat Co. in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Garnett Beck was a bat maker, and owner of
the Superior bat Co.
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KeyMan
Collectibles - An online source for
information on vintage and modern day
baseball memorabilia and collectibles. A
baseball memorabilia price guide, with
collectors guides and references. KeyMan is
derived form the name of New York Yankees
great micKEY MANtle.
K-C
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WWI 'K-C' Knights Of Columbus War Chest
Baseball Bat. (K-C stamping) As part of
the WWI Bat & Ball fund, money was allotted
to the Knights of Columbus to send
secretaries to France that would take
supplies referred to as "War Chests" to the
front, and set up "recreation Huts.
Secretaries were sent "over there" with a
trunk ('War Chest') which was packed with a
complete set of athletic paraphernalia,
which included four baseball bats, two
indoor baseball bats, two dozen K-C Stamped
baseballs, two catchers mitts, seven
fielders gloves, and one chest protector.
Kitten Ball
Bat - It is generally agreed that
softball developed from a game called indoor
baseball, first played in Chicago in 1887.
It became known in the United States by
various names, such as kitten ball, mush
ball, diamond ball, indoor–outdoor, and
playground
ball. Official Kitten Ball baseball bats
were produced in the late 1920's.
Knob
- The end of the baseball bat connected to
the handle that the batter grips. The knob
keeps the hands from slipping off the bat
when swung. Knob styles Refers to the shape
of the knob as it meets with the handle of a
bat. A regular knob, refers to a classic
"Ruth knob," which has a well defined lip
and is clearly larger than the circumference
of the handle area which connects with the
knob. A flared knob refers to a classic
"Hornsby knob" which has a slight lip that
cleanly transitions into the handle. No knob
or knobless, refers to a classic "Clemente
knobless bat" which has no lip and cleanly
transitions into the handle. The knob can
have the model stamped into it on a game
isuued bat or the bat length on a store
model bat.
Kork-Grip
- A type of grip applied to a baseball bat
handle that was patented by Hillerich &
Bradsby Co. - Makers of the Louisville
Slugger. The stamping on the bat reads;
"KORK GRIP SEP 15, 1914"
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Labeling Period - Refers to
the authenticator's conclusion, by studying
the Center brand and Barrel labels, or
combination thereof, in determining the time
period that a bat was manufactured. Some
label periods may be as short as a few
months, whereas others may extend for many
years.
Lajoie Baseball Bat - A
double knob bat. As advertised; "Made under
the supervision of Napoleon Lajoie," Wright
and Ditson, of Boston, Massachusetts,
featured a special double ring handle. The
second ring on the handle was also called
the shoulder.
Wright and Ditson advertised that
batters had a much better grip and better
bat control when they hit with their hands
apart and the shoulder between their hands.
If a player was to grasp the bat up on the
handle (choke up on Lajoie bat, with or the
bat), he could use the shoulder in place of
the knob and, again, enhance his grip and
control.
Laminated bat - A baseball
bat composed of multiple strips of wood. In 1930
Garnett Beck patented process produced bats
that were laminated, instead of being made
of one piece of wood. A laminated bat is
composed of four strips of ash and one of
hickory, glued together under great pressure
and then turned and sanded into shape like
any other bat. Beck sold a patent for
$1,000., to the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
In the mid 1950's Garnett Beck started
up the
Superior Bat Co. where he made laminated
bats.
Letter of Authenticity - A
letter stating that a certain piece of
memorabilia, such as an autograph, or
baseball bat is
authentic.
Limited Edition - A term
often used by makers of cards and
memorabilia to indicate scarcity. A limited
edition means just that - production of the
item in question will be limited to a
certain number. However, that number may be
large or small, and is relevant to the
amount of collectors interested in it. The
value of a limited edition item is high only
if the number made is less than the number
of collectors that desire the item. If the
Limited amount made is more than the amount
of collectors interested, the value will go
down from the issued price.
Little League Bat - A bat
generally marked as such or any bat shorter
than 31 inches and designed for players 9
through 12. Bats marked Little League were
not made until the 1950s
LOA - Short for Letter Of
Authenticity
Louisville Slugger - The
trademark brand name for baseball bats made
by the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. In
2016 Wilson Sporting Goods
acquired the Louisville Slugger brand from
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Lucky Dog Trademark - The
logo used on baseball bats and sporting
goods produced by D&M - Draper-Maynard
Sporting Goods company.
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MacGregor - Originally the
Crawford, McGregor & Canby Co. and then
MacGregor Golf Co. P.Goldsmith & sons
purchased the company in 1936 in an effort
to expand their product line and market
share. Around 1944 Goldsmith added the
MacGregor name to their products and became
known as "MacGregor Goldsmith" an attempt to
trade on the prestigious image the MacGregor
company had earned. Finally, in 1952 the
Goldsmith name was dropped entirely and the
company was simply called MacGregor. By 1961
MacGregor become a division of the Brunswick
Corporation, and in 1967 the Brunswick
Corporation buys MacGregor. The
Brunswick logo appears above MacGregor
throughout the '60's.
Marathon - A
private label
sold by Montgomery Ward mail order house and
department stores. The bats were made by
Hillerich & Bradsby up until or around the
1960's. By the 1970's Wards carry a baseball
bat line with the
Hillerich & Bradsby
department store logo.
Mc-44 -
A bat designed by Jack McGrath who was a
long time Vice President of marketing &
public relations for Louisville Slugger. It
had been suggested in the past that the bat
was made for Willie McCovey but other than
speculation that the "Mc" stood for McCovey,
and he did wear uniform number 44, there is
no truth to this. Variations of the bat were
eventually used by 50 other players. As
stated in the 1971 H&B catalog "The 125 Mc44
is a distinctive model that, with its
Variations, has proven so popular with
professional batters that we couldn't tie it
down to one autograph. It will be known as
the 'Mc44-the
sluggers' Slugger'"
Mini Bat - A short bat that
manufacturers typically offer in sizes 15"
to 18" used as a novelty, souvenir, party
favor, or advertising premium.
Montgomery Ward - A mail
order and department store retailer, that
operated between 1872 and 2000. Montgomery
Ward Carried a Small line of sporting goods
through the years that included a the
private labeled
Marathon Brand, Hawthorne, &
(Wards/Hawthorne), as well as a Montgomery
Ward brand that included gloves imported
from Korea.
MT - Abbreviation. Short
for Mint, a term used regarding the grade or
condition of a collectible
Mushroom Bat - A.G.
Spalding & Bros. patented the
Mushroom knob baseball bat in
1903. The knob was designed to provide a bat
that was properly balanced, and therefore
easier for a player to manipulate. |
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National - Also known as
"The National" A sports memorabilia show
held annually in different parts of the
United States. The National Sports
Collectors Convention is by far the largest
and most attended show of the year. The
first national took place in 1980 in Los
Angeles, California.
NM - Short for Near Mint, a
term used regarding the grade or condition
of a collectible.
Nu-Kork Grip - A term
used in 1930's H&B catalogs for Kork Grip
baseball bats. A type of grip applied to a
baseball bat handle that was patented by Hillerich &
Bradsby Co. - Makers of the Louisville
Slugger. The stamping on these 1930's model bats reads;
"KORK GRIP SEP 15, 1914"
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Official
- A term used to
indicate that the bat meets the size
specifications of a league, or specific
game. Examples include; Official Little
league, Babe Ruth League, Indoor, Softball,
Cork Ball, etc...
Oil
Tempered
- A term used for the process of hardening
or preserving the wood on baseball bats. A
process used by Louisville Slugger, a
stamping that appeared on the barrel before
being moved to the center label oval. |
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P72 - A
Louisville Slugger model-number created
in 1954 for Leslie Wayne Pinkham. It became
one of professional baseballs most popular
bats. Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and
Robin Yount are among the players who have
used the P72 over the years. On September
24, 2014 Louisville Slugger did something
that it’s never done in its 130 years in the
game. It retired a bat model in honor of a
player. In an unprecedented display of
respect and admiration from a sporting goods
manufacturer, Louisville Slugger Retired
Derek Jeter’s famous P72. In it's place the
bat was renamed DJ2 in honor of Jeter.
Palm Fechteler & Co. -
Established in 1856 Palm Fechteler & Co. was
a major supplier of elegant decorations for
horse-drawn carriages, coaches, and buggies.
Self proclaimed "the largest decalcomanie
manufacturing organization in the world" the
company went on to make decals, e.g., for
commercial trucks, vehicle tag stickers, and
decals to brand your product. Palm Fechteler
produced decals for the
J. F. Hillerich &
Son company to use on its popular line of
decal bats during
the period 1910 to 1915. Palm Fechteler &
Co. also went on to produce the decals for
Louisville Slugger's
line of decal bats issued around 1954
Patina - The surface
appearance of something grown beautiful
especially with age or use.
Pine Tar - A sticky
substance added by a player to the handle
area of a bat for added grip. The tar will
typically get darker with age. Some players
are fairly consistent with the areas of a
bat that are tarred, and it may be
identified as a Specific Player Use Trait.
Player Endorsement - When a
ball player signs a contract with a bat
manufacture he gives approval for his
signature to be used on the baseball bat.
This also gives the company the rights to
sell bats baring the players signature to
the public at the retail level.
Player Use Attributes - Denotes that a
bat, uniform or piece of equipment has
evidence of player use. For example a number
written on a baseball cap can be attributed
to player that wears that uniform number. A
baseball bat can have a tape pattern that is
attributed to a particular player.
Playground Bat - A line of
bats made by baseball bat manufacturers to
be used by schools or at the playground,
common to the 1920's-1930's. Indoor baseball
was invented in 1887 by George Hancock of
Chicago. The game became popular with
Colleges, and High school girls and boys.
When the game was taken outdoors around
1907, it was called “playground ball,” and
eventually renamed softball.
Post War - Baseball Bats
manufactured after WWII (1945)
Power-Fused - A term used
by Wilson Sporting goods for a process of
treating the wood to minimize chipping,
peeling, and prolong the life of the bat.
Powerized - a term used and
stamped onto Louisville Slugger baseball
bats, and patented by the Hillerich &
Bradsby Co. in 1931. The
"Powerized" process
is to harden the surface of the bat much
like the bone rubbed finish of the 1920's.
Pre War -
Baseball bats manufactured
before the start of World War II (1942). .
Price Guide - A list of
estimated values for sports cards and/or
sports memorabilia. The first major sports
collectibles price guide was The Sport
Americana Baseball Card Price Guide issued
by Dr. Jim Beckett in 1979. Today, there are
dozens of guides such as Krause's 'Standard
Catalog', Beckett's 'Baseball Almanac', and
Collector's Universe's 'Sports Market
Report'.
Price Guides - Third party guides
published on a regular basis to indicate the
estimated value of an item according to the
current market, such as
Keymancollectibles.com, the Beckett price
guide, and the Krause standard catalogs of
sports cards.
Private label - Generic bat
brand names of smaller sporting goods
companies that do not manufacture baseball
bats;. mail order houses, discount, department or hardware
stores that carry sports equipment have
baseball bats manufactured for them and have
their brand name labeled on the bat.
Provenance - The history
of ownership of a particular item such as a
game used baseball
bat. It allows
the buyer to secure additional insight as to
the origin or chain of custody of the item.
PSA - Short for Professional Sports
Authenticator. Founded in 1991, PSA was the
first widely accepted grading service and
set the standard for the graded card market.
PSA/DNA - A third party authentication
service that focuses on sports and music
autographs. PSA/DNA uses synthetic DNA that
is only visible with the aid of a laser to
mark the item being authenticated. PSA/DNA
also affixes a small sticker, which has a
unique certification number, onto the item.
This unique certification number matches a
PSA/DNA certificate of authentication that
is issued with the item at the time of the
authentication. |
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Rack Marks - A term used
with
game
used
bats. Usually colored streaks
or colored blotches caused by contact with
the inner and/or outer surface of the bat
rack, transferring onto a bat.
Rawlings - A sports
equipment manufacturing company founded in
1887. A Pioneer in the baseball glove
industry Rawlings introduced innovative
designs. In 1927 Rawlings introduced a line of
baseball bats, which were
manufactured by Louisville Slugger. In 1971 Rawlings acquired
Adirondack Bats Inc. From 1983 through
1997 both Adirondack and Rwalings was used
in the center brand. In 1998 Adirondack was
removed from the labeling for good, using
only the Rawlings brand name.
Reach - The A.J. Reach
sporting goods company was formed by former
player and founder of the Philadelphia
Phillies franchise in 1874. The company was
then sold to Spalding in 1889.
Resilite - Introduced in
1935 by AG, Spalding, and A.J. Reach, a
treatment which is applied to baseball bats
to "enhance driving qualities" of the bat,
and eliminate chipping.
Reverse Brand (Label) -
Most bats when their trademark brand or logo
is held strait up, have their branding read
from left to right. Reverse labeled bats the
branding reads from right to left. For
example early J.F. Hillerich & Son baseball
bats have
reverse branding.
Ring Bat - A baseball bat
decorated with painted or stained rings
or bands around the center or and barrel,
"Ring Bats"
were common to the late 1800's. |
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S or SP - A model
designation used by baseball bat
manufacturers which follows the catalog
number indicating a "Special" turned to
slightly smaller dimensions for the
particular requirements of High School, Prep
School, Babe Ruth League, PONY, American
Legion, and other Teen-age players.
Examples: Louisville Slugger "125S" or
Adirondack "302SP"
SAV-A-BAT - A
Muellen Perry Co. secured 1964 patent
for a reinforcement that can be applied to a
bat handle to strengthen or repair it. The
company also had new bats produced by
Louisville slugger featuring the Sav-A-Bat
Grip.
Sacrifice Bat - AKA
"Bunting Bat" - A
flat barrel bat common to the late 19th
century used to "sacrifice hit" or bunt.
(used for sacrifice hitting) in a 1890 guide
where it was suggested that "Sacrifice Hits"
should be given more credit in the stats,
and given credit to the batting average, For
example 3 Sacrifice hits count as one hit.
It was stated in one guide that the
importance of a sacrifice hit far out weighs
the silliness of trying for a a home run.
The National League outlawed the flat bats
in 1893.
Safety Grip Dots - Introduced in
1936 by A.J. Reach, Wright & Ditson, decals
were applied to their baseball bats to
teach players the correct way to hold a bat.
One decal (safety dot) reads "Left Hand Up"
the other "Right Hand Up"
Semi-Sig -
The name of a
ballplayer produced on the barrel of
the bat in italic, or
script like lettering, giving the
appearance of a signature, but not block
letters.
SGA - Short for Stadium
Giveaway, such as a Bat Day give away
promotion .
Side Writing - A term used
with
game
used bats. Refers to the writing,
usually in grease pencil, on the barrel of a
bat, written by a manufacturer employee, to
document the receipt of a bat by a player,
in making future player bats in the same or
similar specification. When legible, the
writing will indicate the player who shipped
the bat back to the manufacturer, the
city/and or team name, the league of the
team, and the date the bat was received at
the factory. Side written bats are usually
found on bats of the pre-model number era.
Signature model - A term
used to describe a player endorsed
baseball
bat or glove baring the players signature.
Signed-in-the-Presence - An
autograph that was signed in the presence of
the seller or a representative of a third
party authentication service. The validity
of the signed-in-the-presence status of an
autograph is dependent upon the integrity
and reputation of the seller or
authentication service. The largest and most
respected signed-in-the-presence
authentication service is PSA/DNA.
Spalding - A.G. Spalding &
Bros. - A sporting goods company founded in
1876 by Albert Spalding, a pitcher and the
manager of the Chicago White Stockings. The
company has had a long history of
manufacturing a full line of athletic
equipment including
baseballs bats.
SPECIAL - A model
designation with "S" or "SP" used by baseball bat
manufacturers which follows the catalog
number indicating a "Special" turned to
slightly smaller dimensions for the
particular requirements of High School, Prep
School, Babe Ruth League, PONY, American
Legion, and other Teen-age players.
Examples: Louisville Slugger "125S" or
Adirondack "302SP"
Spline Bat - The
"Spline" baseball bats were test issued
and distributed to teams in spring training
during the early to mid 1960's. Spline bats
have 3 hickory strips or "splines" inserted
into groves on the back of the barrel. The
purpose was to limit the amount of grain
separation occurring in ash bats.
Stadium Giveaway - Also
known as SGA. An item that is given away at
a baseball game. Popular Stadium Giveaway's
include Bats, Bobble heads, and Caps.
Stall & Dean - The Stall &
Dean Manufacturing Co. in Brockton, Mass.
was founded by W.T. Stall and C.H. Dean in
1898. Their product of sporting goods
included; baseball Suits, Gloves, Mitts,
Balls and Bats. The Stall and Dean Company
is one of the oldest sporting goods
manufacturers in America.
Stamped - An autograph
applied to a baseball, photo, card or other
item such as a signature model bat or glove.
A facsimile signature. not hand signed.
Stan The Man Inc. - Was a
company based in St. Louis Missouri, that
HOF Cardinal player Stan Musial was involved
with after his playing career. The company
sold Stan Musial memorabilia that included
"Stan the Man Inc." branded baseball bats,
and gloves. The company was operated by Dick
Zitzmann, vice president of Stan the Man
Inc. and current president of Sport Classics
Inc, when it closed its doors in 2015.
Store Model - A retail
baseball bat or glove that is not
game
issued or
game
used. Sold in stores. made
available to the public.
Superior Bat Company - The
Superior Bat company was started up in 1920
by Garnett Beck, brother of Zinn Beck, a
major League ball player. The brothers
opened the Zinn Beck factory in Columbia,
South Carolina, and Garnett started turning
out laminated bats. In 1930 Garnett Beck
sold a patent for $1,000., to the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. to strengthen
bats with a glue process. The next ten years
Garnett worked as a foreman for Louisville
Slugger. In 1951 Beck was making bats for
the newly formed
Joe Engle Bat Co. in
Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Team Index Bat - A
baseball bat ordered by the team and cannot
be directly connected or traced to a
particular player without records.
Town Ball Bat - A bat used
to play the game of Town Ball., a direct
descendant of the British game of rounders.
It was played in the United States as far
back as the early 1800's and is considered a
stepping stone towards modern baseball. In
the early days players made their own bats,
working with whatever wood was laying
around, an ax handle or a wagon wheel spoke,
these makeshift bats were known as
“striker’s sticks.” The
1858 rules state that the bat must be round,
and must not exceed two and a half inches in
diameter in the thickest part. It must be
made of wood, and may be of any length to
suit the Striker.
Tryon TruSport - TruSport
was a brand name of merchandise sold by Edw.
K Tryon of Philadelphia, established in the
1811. They sold a large variety of Items,
from firearms to Knives, Bicycles, Skates,
sports equipment, baseball gloves and bats.
Later TruSport Baseball bats were manufactured by
the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
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Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA)
- The sister company of The Upper Deck Co.,
which produces authentic autographed
memorabilia items under contracts with star
athletes such as Ted Williams or Mickey
Mantle.
UV - Stands for
Ultraviolet. The Sun emits harmful
ultraviolet radiation. UV light can fade
autographs if over exposed to. UV protective
cases help prevent fading of signatures or
other memorabilia. A glossy UV protective
coating applied to sports cards. |
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Vault Mark - A series
of letter(s) or and number(s) stamped onto
the knob and/or barrel end of a baseball
bat, used by the manufacturer as a reference
for future bats to be patterned. These bats
were stored by the manufacturer in a vault,
and retrieved as a pattern bat when called
upon by a player.
VG -Abbreviation. Short for Very Good, A
term used in grading.
Victor
- A Sporting Goods Company
of Springfield, Massachusetts.
established in 1898. In 1918, the Victor
Sporting Goods Company consolidated with the
Wright & Ditson Company. The Wright & Ditson
company was founded in 1871 and was bought
by Spalding in 1891.
Vintage - A term usually
intended to indicate an item was issued or
produced quite some time ago. Aged or of
older origin. For example: a vintage 1955
baseball card as opposed to a modern day
2015 baseball card. A piece of memorabilia
manufactured about 25 or more years ago.
Vintage, from the early days. |
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Wagon
Tongue Bat - From the mid to late
19th century bat makers made baseball bats from wagon
tongues that had been used for covered
wagons. Later bats using the “wagon
tongue” name were made from ash wood and not
reclaimed hickory wagon parts.
Wagon Tongue baseball bats were a
popular line of bats sold by Spalding
Sporting Goods.
Walker Finish - Harry "The Hat"
Walker, a National League batting Champion
with the St. Luis Cardinals in the 1940s,
developed his own distinctive bat color
pretty much on a whim. Walker was touring
the H&B plant and noticed a bat in a bucket
of dark stain, where it was being used as a
stir stick. Walker pulled out the bat, and
said he liked the color, and the
two-toned "Walker Finish" - still in use
today as one of H&B's many bat finishes- was
born.
Wall Hanger - A baseball bat in
poor condition with little collectors value.
Typically hung on the wall as a conversation
piece.
War Department Bat - A baseball bat
that used for and features the
War Department Commission on Training Camp
Activities stamp on the back side of the
bat. Days after the U.S. entered the first
World War in April of 1917, President
Woodrow Wilson created a new Federal Agency,
the Commission on Training Camp Activities.
The program was designed to clean up the
immoral influences associated with
encampments and their surrounding
communities.
Want List - A collector's or
dealer's list of items wishing to acquire
through purchase or trade. Often, a
collector will send a dealer a "want list,"
and the dealer will try to locate the items
on the list. A Want list can be posted to
locate an Item by others.
Wilson - A sporting goods
company originally named the Thomas E.
Wilson Co. in 1916. Incorporated in 1913,
the company was originally established to
find unique ways of using slaughterhouse
byproducts of a nearby meat-packing firm.
The Thomas E. Wilson company began the
manufacturing of baseball bats and
gloves by the 1920s. In 1931, the name was
changed to Wilson Sporting Goods Co. In 2016
Wilson Sporting Goods acquired the
Louisville Slugger brand from
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
World Series Black Bat -
Also known as a "Black
Bat" They were given to participating
players, and dignitaries from teams in the
world series. They have facsimile signatures
of the entire team in gold on a dark black
ebony bat.
Worth Inc. - Founded by
George Sharp Lannom Jr. in 1912 as Lannom
Manufacturing Company. A producer of leather
horse collars and harnesses, Lannom
developed a sporting goods line in order to
utilize his tannery. Expanding the business
in 1921 they added helmets, basketballs,
baseballs and later softballs. Naming the
line "Worth," Lannom created the slogan
"Another Name for Value"
Wright & Ditson - Founded
in 1871 by Baseball Hall of Famer George
Wright and Boston businessman Henry Ditson.
The company specialized in tennis rackets,
and golf clubs and by the turn of the 19th
century, baseball equipment. By the early
1900's,
A.G. Spalding & Brothers controlled
99.7% of the company's shares. In 1910,
Wright & Ditson announced the formation of a
partnership with Victor Sporting Goods of
Springfield, Massachusetts. Victor's
baseball factory would produce their
specialties, namely baseballs, bats, mitts,
and gloves, for Wright & Ditson, and the
goods would thereafter bear the Wright &
Ditson logo. In 1918, the Victor Sporting
Goods Company consolidated with the Wright &
Ditson Company. All sporting goods produced
from their facilities thereafter were
stamped with a new Victor, Wright & Ditson
logo. In 1928, Spalding consolidated Reach
and the Wright & Ditson-Victor Co. into A.J.
Reach, Wright & Ditson, Inc. |
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Yale - A brand name for the
Moneco Company, a manufacture of Juvenile
sporting goods, baseball gloves, masks,
punching bags, medicine balls, footballs,
soccer balls, boxing gloves and similar
items. By the 1940's the Moneco Co. was
distributing their athletic equipment, which
included baseball bats to drug, hardware and
discount stores throughout the country.
Y.M.C.A. Bat - A baseball
bat issued to American troops serving
overseas during WWI (1917-1918) as part of
the "Bat & Ball Fund." These bats feature a
triangular Y.M.C.A. Logo branded into the
bat. |
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Zapon Grip - Applied to the handle
it gives the batter a firmer grip, and
prevents stinging to the hands.
Zimmerman Manufacturing Co. - In
1874, Elias Zimmerman opened a sawmill in
Spencerville, Indiana. This sawmill, which
became known as the Zimmermann Manufacturing
Company, started off making axe handles,
barrel staves, and other wooden parts. The
company moved to Auburn in the 1880s, and
the company started to turn out baseball
bats.
Zinn Beck Bat Company - The
Zinn Beck Bat Company was established in
1920 by Zinn Beck, a major league ball
player. His brother Garnett Beck, made
Laminated bats for his Superior Bat Co. The
brothers opened a factory in Columbia, South
Carolina, in 1920. In 1922 the company
became a corporation, then moved to
Greenville, SC, in 1923. The Zinn Beck Bat
Co. which was producing 3,000 bats a day,
was sold to Zenas C Grier for about
$50,000., in 1927. The name was then changed
to Grier Mfg Co.
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Steven: Direct your questions or feedback,
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