For examination, 1908-1911 Frank Chance Spalding Professional Model Game Used Bat with hand turned knob.
Manufacturer: Spalding was a known supplier of bats, balls, and jerseys to the professional teams during the 1908-1911 era. This bat is found with the SPALDING, GOLD MEDAL centerbrand. The Gold Medal label was used from 1908-1911 as per the MEARS collection of dealer catalogs and the 2003 Bat Price Guide by Bushing & Philipps. There are no known factory records for Spalding bats for the examined era, but documented side written examples, photographic evidence, and production information support their use in the big leagues. This bat is found with a hand turned knob, the practice of hand sanding or rasping to reach the desired weight as requested by the player. Dealer catalogs from the 1908-11 era illustrate the Gold Medal bat line offered to the general public, but when these store model bats are found, they contain the Spalding logo on the knob end. MEARS staffers have examined period Spalding endorsee’s to confirm this fact, and we have inspected actual examples of the Frank Chance Gold Medal bats that contained the Spalding factory knob stamp, thus eliminating those models for professional consideration. In addition, there are no known H&B player era game bats of Chance, and he was a Spalding endorsee per his endorsement in Spalding promotional materials.
What is known about Frank Chance H&B bats which can be used for comparison: In order to support professional game use, this bat’s manufacturing characteristics can be compared to known H&B information. Although there is no complete record of Frank Chance bat orders, we do have the following information:
Chance did not have a contract with H&B. This would have allowed him to use competing manufacturer brands, such as Spalding.
On his surviving H&B file card, it reads, “His Old Frank Chance, Model: C131, 42 oz., caliper only. Diagram length: No length specified; Round end. 1911; No specified model, 45 oz.”
This information can be useful, as there are several traits consistent with this Spalding bat when compared to the available H&B file card information. The “Round end” was specifically referenced. Examination reveals this bat has a very round end, which would be consistent with the reference on Chance’s H&B file card. Regarding the listed weights, the surviving records list bats sent to Chance weighing 42 and 45 ounces. This bat, currently weighing 43.7 ounces, falls within a consistent range of the two documented Chance requested weights as found in the surviving H&B factory records.
Length 34 5/8” (34 ½): The half length measurement in addition to the hand turned knob is most closely associated with a player specific game used bat request where the length was secondary in importance to the player trying to reach a requested weight. Dealer catalogs for store model bats list bats in even lengths, 33”, 34”, 35”, 36”. This fact is illustrated in the 1915 Spalding catalog, issued to the I.J. Barber company from Naples, New York. With the introduction of the new Spalding autograph line for 1915, the Frank Chance signature store model bat was offered only in the 35”. Period Reach dealer catalogs also chronicle the fact that their lines of store model bats were only offered in 32, 33, 34, or 35 inch lengths. Although a competitor, the Reach catalog information does serve as a valid point of reference since both companies were faced with the same issues associated with the processes of mass production. It must not have been cost efficient to offer bats in the half-inch increments. Thus, it is the opinion of MEARS that the length of this bat, measuring 34 ½” with a hand turned knob, was created as an after effect of the lathe hand trying to reach the desired weight requested by Chance, with a lesser emphasis on the final length. The fact that length was second to weight for the era is evidenced by the surviving H&B documentation, as the lengths were not specified, but his desired weights were.
Weight 43.7 ounces: As previously mentioned, the 43.7 ounce weight falls within the documented range of Frank Chance bats recorded in his H&B records.
Use: Bat exhibits heavy game use. Scattered throughout the bat’s barrel were various stitch marks and an equal heavy amount of lightly penetrating cleat-like marks. The area of the hand turned knob shows heavy wear to the edges and the knob surface. A small X was carved during the time of the bat’s use. There is a light smattered coat of a resin (early version of pinetar) near the knob area of the handle.
A 4” crack is found about five inches from the knob. It has slightly separated and the very outer edges of the crack have chipped off.
Side Writing and Return label -Post 1916): In the area directly below the centerbrand is an area that had once been side written. Currently the writing is not visible. On the reverse of the barrel is the actual shipping label, where the bat was returned to the H&B factory. You can still see two of the original postage stamps and the period black fountain pen writing that still reads, “To Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Louisville”. With the use of the phrase Hillerich & Bradsby found on the shipping label, the bat had to have been shipped after the 1916. Bradsby joined the company at the end of 1915, and his name began to appear in conjunction with Hillerich starting in 1916.
Possible reason for the bat being returned: The writing on the shipping label is quite important as it helps date the timeframe when the bat was returned to the H&B factory. The bat was still manufactured and most likely used during the 1908-11 timeframe as evidence by the GOLD MEDAL MODEL centerbrand design. Due to the fact it was side written, it means that future bats were patterned off this example. During 1916-17, Frank Chance joined the PCL as a coach and had limited time as a player for the Los Angeles team. It is quite possible this was the bat from his playing days that he sent in to have his PCL Louisville Slugger bats patterned from. He also had a need for bats during 1923 as he served as a coach for the Boston Red Sox. It was a common and documented practice that former players would sent in their playing career bats to have coaches model made for them by H&B.
Final Grade: MEARS A7.5. Base grade of 5 points is assigned for the bat being consistent to model, length, and weight as used by Chance. 3 points were awarded for heavy game use. Minus ½ point for the handle crack.
Conclusion: Based on the relationship between Spalding, Major League Baseball, and Frank Chance, length, weight & model consistent with what would have been available for Frank Chance to use, and the need for additional bats to be manufactured and shipped to Frank Chance for later in his career, the totality of the facts support the likelihood of Frank Chance using this bat during the 1908-11 timeframe and later returning it to H&B for additional bats to be made for him for his career after his playing days.
Collection of MEARS staff.