Spline Baseball 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. The Hillerich & Bradsby company manufactured a small number of the Spline bats, in different weights using existing specs for Major League players. The models that have surfaced into the hobby include, Mickey Mantle K55, Yogi Berra R43, Eddie Mathews S2, and Jackie Robinson R17.

The Jackie Robinson R17 baseball bats were made after Robinsons playing career. Examples from both the 1961-1964, and 1965-1968 labeling periods have surfaced. The four selected player models were shipped to various teams in spring training, but "Team Index" bats cannot be attributed to a specific player. It has been stated that there is some documentation of spline bat use during the regular season, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Most of the Spline bats that have surfaced show barrel disintegration that the Splining was to prevent. It is doubtful that the Spline bats passed the test, and would have needed the Major League Rules Committee to approve the bats, for use in professional games as stated in official rule 1.10.

Louisville Slugger Professional Model K55 Spline Baseball Bat

3 hickory strips or "splines" inserted into groves on back of barrel


"SPlINE" Stamping right of Center Brand	Mickey Mantle K55 bat Knob

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