Bats – Extras

Extras  - Toe Guards and Anti-Scuff Sheets

This is one aspect of bat care that really does divide opinion.

Many modern bats come with toe guards and anti-scuff sheets fitted as standard.

Toe guards are cheap to buy but can be tricky to fit well

              • The toe guard is a thin rubberised strip that attaches to the base of the bat and prevents the water and moisture from entering through the bottom of the bat which can lead to the wood at the base softening, swelling and cracking of the willow.  So if you play regularly on lots of damp strips, a toe guard might be a good addition. Toe guards are particularly useful for junior players who tend to play on artificial wickets (that retain water) because juniors do tend to bat tap on the ground (regardless of the state of the pitch).
              • Toe guards wear out fairly quickly – old ones can be removed by gently warming the base of the bat to soften the adhesive (with an electric hairdryer) but be careful with these and use them on warm not hot settings and only for very brief periods.  The old toe guard and adhesive can then be carefully removed and a replacement toe guard fitted after a light sanding and a wipe with some linseed oil – allow the oil to dry for at least 48 hours or the new toe guard won’t stick.

The main problem with toe guards is that as they wear, a gap opens up between the toe guard and the bat and they tend to trap dirt and moisture preventing the bat from drying out shortening its life.  Inspect and replace regularly if fitted and keep the toe lightly oiled.

Scuff sheets require careful fitting and even more careful removal

              • Anti-scuff sheets are designed to protect the face of your bat and many of these come ready fitted to new bats.  These are trickier to apply and replace, the GOLDEN RULE for removing anti scuff sheets or stickers is to tear it off ACROSS the grain of your bat.  If you tear it off with the grain the chances are that you will damage the willow fibres and bring a large chunk of your precious bat away with it!
              • The problem with applying all this protection is that you either forget or never learn how to properly maintain and care for your bat.  Your bat is naturally moist (it was made from a living thing after all) and needs to be able to breathe through the surface of the wood.  The best way to protect it is to oil it, knock it in and store it correctly.
              • Anti-scuffs and toe guards can help prolong the life of a bat but don’t forget to do the basics as well.

 

 

There is no point in applying oil to an anti scuff sheet so if your bat already has one – we don’t recommend you remove it just for the sake of oiling it!  However when it needs to be replaced, that’s a good time to oil your bat before fitting a new scuff sheet. See our guide to bat care and protection.

If you don’t want to fit an anti-scuff sheet you can apply reinforced bat tape to the edges and toe as a way of providing some protection to these more vulnerable areas.

Branded covers are available in a range of colours

              • Some new bats come with a bat cover – these are fine for temporary storage and transport of your bat to coaching and matches but should not be used as long term storage for your bat.