Posted by: Mack (clemente3001@aol.com) on Wed May 7 15:00:06 2003

Bonds and Sosa, among others, have drastically modified the knobs of their bats. Both players show different preferences regard size and shape of the "prosthesis". Sammy's looks like a tennis ball. Does this addition positively or negatively affect their ability to create torque?
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> > > The knob of the bat has NOTHING to do with creating torque.
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> > The knob of the bat could have a significant effect on torque if it were weighted. I've often wondered if Sosa had a lead weight wrapped up in there, but I assume they check that sort of thing out. I thought no bat modifications/additions, other than pine tar, were allowed in MLB.
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> This is a pad on the knob, to protect the base of the hand from slippage. Even with batting gloves the force he generates creates hand slippage and this slippage not only creates an unstable bat, put it will also hurt the base of the bottom hand when it hits the knob. Another thing players do is have the pinky overlap the knob, to ease the pain. this is what I do, but I'd rather have that pad Sammy uses.
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> Respectfully,
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> Coach C
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> To All:

It just so happens that over the weekend I took the family to the Field Museum here in Chicago where they have the "Baseball as America" display showing there. The bat Sammy used to hit his 62nd home run is on display. The modification appears to be nothing more than a build-up of thin, gauze tape...not athletic tape.

P.S. Great Exhibit!