Cracked versus Uncracked - There is no rule stating that an uncracked bat is more valuable than a cracked bat or vice versa, it simply is a matter of taste. Some collectors prefer cracked bats because they believe it adds authenticity to the bat while others like uncracked bats for aesthetic reasons. As long as the crack does not affect the overall eye appeal of the bat, it should not detract from the value. Severe cracks that affect the labeling or bats that exhibit missing pieces can lower the value of the lumber significantly if the eye appeal if dramatically affected. Deadwood - This term refers to the flaking or raising of the wood grain due to repeated contact of a ball on the hitting surface.
Most collectors feel the same about deadwood as they do cracks.
As long as the deadwood is not too severe and thus damaging the visual appeal of the bat, it is not seen as a detractor. As a result, these bats are valued less than bats that are fully intact. On the other hand, bats with missing pieces that do not detract from the overall displayability will not detract significantly. For instance, it is not considered detracting if the missing piece is extremely small or on the back of the barrel where it is not highly noticeable. Repairs - Many cracked bats or bats with missing pieces are, at some point, repaired in one of two ways.