If lower division tournaments go to bat provided, conference could take a hit. As much shit as people talk about lower levels, who do you think buys all these bats? Not just that, but new players sometimes pay retail, rather than getting 50 bucks off from a rep. No bat sales = less profit for manufactures = less sponsorship money to throw around. It's quite simple.

Do you guys really think manufactures care about shaved bats? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when a bat is made and sold, the return is figured into the price. If bats are being shaved, there's no return for them, which means one more bat in inventory. In my years of playing, I know of people who gladly buy up no returns. They're paying less for a bat and getting them shaved. Once it breaks, it's done for anyways.

Going back to bat provided, DW is right. No one wants that. The lower level guys who love to flex their muscles being lifelong E and D players would hate an even field. I've been a part of 3 bat provided tournies. The game is different and those 150lb guys aren't hitting dingers anymore. It brings these guys down a few notches.