If that’s how you see it, let’s flip the question: how can you judge a bat without holding it? Without feeling its balance, its grip, its weight in your hands? No wood grain, no curve, no finish—none of the details that communicate quality beyond words. Just like design enhances content, craftsmanship brings materials to life. Wood type, weight distribution, handle shape—these aren’t just specs; they’re signals of performance, durability, and style.

Some might insist on specifications alone, but real players know it’s the craftsmanship that makes the difference. And just like a designer needs a style guide, a bat maker needs an understanding of how the player wants to play. It’s a partnership—between the maker, the material, and the one who holds the bat.

A customer who’s unhappy with a clear issue is one thing—but a customer who’s unhappy without knowing exactly why is even more difficult to satisfy. In most cases, that means there was a lack of collaboration, poor communication, or missing checkpoints during the order or production process. Maybe the bat wasn’t discussed in enough detail—wood type, balance, weight, or finish weren’t clearly defined.

It’s a craftsmanship strategy gone off track right from the start. Simply blaming the tools or materials won’t fix it. It’s like telling a bat maker to “just use better wood” or “sand it more.” True enough—but that alone won’t create the perfect bat. It takes a complete, thoughtful process—from the first cut to the final polish—to deliver a bat that truly feels right in the hands of a player.

If that’s what you think, then let’s look at it the other way around—how can you evaluate a bat without actually seeing or holding it? No feel, no weight, no grip, no balance—none of the physical details that communicate the real quality of a bat beyond just a product description. Just like design brings content to life, craftsmanship gives meaning to materials. The shape, the finish, the wood grain—all of these are subtle but powerful cues that connect with the player on a deeper level.

Some might focus only on specs or price, but serious players—and smart makers—know it’s the full experience that counts. And if you expect precision in performance, you also need clarity in expectations. Just like a designer needs a style guide to match the vision, a bat maker needs clear input to craft something that truly delivers.

It’s a bat-making process gone wrong right from the start. Simply avoiding low-quality wood or skipping certain steps wouldn’t have helped—and won’t help now. It’s like telling a bat maker, “just make it lighter,” or “don’t curve it too much.” That might be true, but it’s not enough to fix the bigger issue. Getting things back on track takes a complete, thoughtful process—from material selection and shaping to finishing and final inspection. That’s what turns a piece of wood into a bat players can trust.