How to Doctor a Softball Bat

When it comes to softball bats, the term "doctoring" refers to making modifications to the bat itself in order to improve performance. Basically, when you doctor a bat you increase the flexibility of the material, and it creates a trampoline effect when ball and bat meet. This results in more distance and more consistent outcomes. There are a couple of effective doctoring techniques for softball bats called shaving and rolling that are commonly used to increase a bat's performance.

Things You'll Need

  • Softball bat
  • Small screwdriver
  • Lathe
  • Boring bar
  • Bat-rolling machine
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Instructions

  1. Shaving

    • 1

      Remove the end cap of your softball bat. You can use a small, flat screwdriver, chisel or other tool that you can fit into the opening and pry it loose.

    • 2

      Place the bat on the spinning part of a standard lathe. Ensure that it is secure and will not fly off while you are shaving it.

    • 3

      Insert a boring bar into the barrel of the bat to remove a very fine amount of material from the inner walls. Removing too much will damage the bat. Consult a professional if you are unsure of how much material to remove.

    Rolling

    • 4

      Secure your softball bat between the two rollers of a bat-rolling machine. The barrel should fit evenly between the rollers.

    • 5

      Apply pressure to the bat by tightening the nuts on top of the machine. Turn each nut three or four times to get the right amount of pressure.

    • 6

      Turn the lever at the end of the machine to roll the bat. Consult the instructions with the machine, or consult a professional bat roller to determine how many rolls are right for your bat.