Free Compression Testing for Alloy and Composite Bats Send your baseball or softball bat to Big Dawg Bats and we will compression test it on our G4 SSL compression tester at no charge. Both alloy and composite bats can be compression tested. The free test includes four separate measurements taken around the barrel and a printed Compression Test Record returned with your bat. The compression test is free. You are responsible for shipping the bat to us and return shipping. For added convenience, you may purchase a prepaid shipping label for sending your bat to Big Dawg Bats. What Is Included Every free bat compression test includes: Four compression measurements taken around the barrel Testing on our G4 SSL compression tester A printed Compression Test Record returned with your bat Optional prepaid shipping label for sending the bat to us Optional public YouTube compression test video for $9.99 No additional service is required to receive the free compression test. Four-Point Barrel Compression Testing Testing a bat at only one barrel position does not provide the same amount of information as checking several points around the barrel. We rotate the bat and measure four separate positions around its circumference. The readings are recorded so you can see whether the barrel produces consistent numbers or whether the results vary depending on the testing position. The exact reading can be affected by the bat’s construction, temperature, condition, testing position and the equipment used. Results from different compression testers should be comparable if calibrated correctly as is our tester per the G4 SSL website. Alloy Bat Compression Testing Compression testing is not limited to composite bats. Alloy baseball and softball bats can also be measured on compression-testing equipment. This may be useful when you want to document the current condition and stiffness of an alloy barrel, compare multiple bats or evaluate a bat after another company claimed to have rolled or worked on it. However, a single compression reading cannot conclusively prove that an alloy bat was not worked on, only an accurate reading per the G4 SSL standards. A reliable comparison requires a genuine reading taken before the claimed work and another reading taken afterward under similar testing conditions. Learn more about the process and limitations of rolling in our article, What Is Bat Rolling? Printed Compression Test Record Every tested bat is returned with a printed Compression Test Record showing the measurements we personally obtained. The card includes dedicated sections for before-and-after results. When we test a bat both before and after a separately ordered service, both sets of measurements can be recorded. For a standalone compression test, the card records the current four-point results. We will not create, estimate or claim to know a previous compression number that was never measured. This provides an honest physical record that can be kept with the bat and compared with future testing. Why We Do Not Use a Still Photograph as Proof A still photograph of a compression tester does not prove that the displayed number belongs to a particular bat. A photograph can be edited, reused or manipulated from its original context. It also cannot show the bat being rotated and tested at four separate positions around the barrel. For customers who want visual documentation, we offer an optional YouTube video showing the actual testing process from beginning to end. Optional YouTube Compression Test Video — $9.99 Add a public YouTube compression test video for $9.99. The video will show: Your actual bat The bat’s identifying model information The bat positioned in the G4 SSL tester Four measurements taken around the barrel The tester display for each reading Your video will be published on the Big Dawg Bats YouTube channel and can be watched or shared through YouTube. We will not show your shipping label, address, order number or any other private customer information. By purchasing the video option, you give Big Dawg Bats permission to publicly display the bat and its test results. Portions of the video may also be used on the Big Dawg Bats website, YouTube channel and social media accounts, including Instagram. Prepaid Shipping Label Available You may send the bat using your own shipping label or purchase our prepaid inbound shipping-label option during checkout. The prepaid label provides a convenient way to send your bat to Big Dawg Bats without purchasing a separate label directly from the carrier. Return shipping is still required. Package the bat securely in a proper bat box and include your name and order information inside the package. Big Dawg Bats is not responsible for damage caused by inadequate packaging or damage that occurs while the package is in the possession of the shipping carrier. Compression Testing Before and After Bat Services Compression testing may be used to document a bat before and after another service when both tests are performed under reasonably similar conditions. Customers interested in breaking in a composite barrel can learn more about our Precision Bat Rolling Service for Composite Bats For more information about how rolling may affect compression readings, read Can Bat Rolling Increase Compression? Customers considering an internal composite-barrel modification can review our Composite Bat Shaving Service What a Compression Test Does Not Prove A compression test provides an informational measurement produced by our equipment and testing procedure. It is not an inspection, certification or guarantee. A compression reading does not certify that a bat is: Legal for league or tournament use Eligible for sanctioned play Unaltered Safe to use Covered by a manufacturer’s warranty Compliant with a governing body’s current standards A compression test also cannot independently prove who worked on a bat, what process was used or whether a claimed service was actually performed. Important Testing Information We can test many alloy and composite baseball and softball bats. However, bats 27" and below are too short to accurately test in the G4 SSL. Compression readings apply only to the bat tested, on our equipment, under the conditions present at the time of testing. Order Your Free G4 SSL Compression Test Add the free compression test to your cart and choose how you want to send the bat to us. You may use your own shipping label or purchase our prepaid inbound label. You can also add a public four-point YouTube compression test video for $9.99. Your bat will be tested at four points around the barrel and returned with a printed Compression Test Record.
