Paint Crack or Composite Crack

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Sep 25, 2016
19
3
Here is a picture of a CF-9 bat I purchased last year. The man I purchased it from said he thought this was a paint crack only.
I went ahead and bought it and even with it my hand, I still can't tell.

My dd used it in a few tournaments but felt it was too small for her (29/18) -11.
She used it in batting practice and in a few games and the crack never changed and the bat has very good pop. Doesn't sound any different from any other CF-9 either.

It is just sitting in the garage and I wan't to sell it, but I don't want to mislead anyone thinking this is a paint crack if it is not.

There are lots of knowledgeable people here and I welcome their opinions.
Is this a surface paint crack or a composite crack?
Untitled.jpg
 
Jun 19, 2012
306
18
To me it looks like composite crack. Never seen a paint crack be that long and appears to be deep. But hard to tell from the picture rather than it being in my hand
 

CoreSoftball20

Wilson = Evil Empire
DFP Vendor
Dec 27, 2012
6,215
113
Kunkletown, PA
My issue with this is the paint is raising, which can signal trouble underneath as composite may be pushing up. Also, with this, umps may have issues with this.
I bet you can even get your fingernail under it...which is bad.

I wouldn't have bought the bat unless it was cheap

I don't think it is long for this world if used regularly
 
Last edited:
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Normally cracks in the composite are spiral following the seams in the weave, but that looks pretty suspect. Especially the right hand side where the layers appear to be pulling up.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Normally cracks in the composite are spiral following the seams in the weave, but that looks pretty suspect. Especially the right hand side where the layers appear to be pulling up.

This ^^^. The composite layers are typically laid in a diagonal/spiral pattern, and structural cracks will follow that pattern. This is definitely suspect, however, just based on the length and apparent depth.
 
Sep 25, 2016
19
3
Thanks for everyone's opinions. My gut kept saying composite crack as well. Looks like another bat for cold weather batting practice. Thanks again.
 

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