Help with PSA/DNA LOA Bat terminology

[whiteymet]

Hi Guys:

I am not a bat collector, but rather a player collector who has received a bat with a PSA/DNA LOA.

I am not revealing the players name, team or model number in the below

The LOA says:

"the players name" Professional Model Bat.

The second line under the photo of the bat says:

The model number, length and weight specifications have been confirmed by the Manufacturer's ordering records as being ordered by the PLAYER ( my CAPS ) during the referenced labeling period.

However later under comments it seems to contradict the above when it says:

A review of "the players name" factory ordering records document the __ model as being ordered by "the player" throughout his career. However a 33 inch model can not be found. (my underline) Records indicate he ordered bats as short as 32 1/2 inches in the length. The __ model does appear on the "teams" team record during the referenced labeling period. It is common knowledge that the team, as well as the player, ordered bats for game use. It is our opinion the __ model "players name" bat is one of the team ordered bats.

It goes on to say "it is our opinion the bat is authentic as described"


So, my questions are

1 Do they contradict themselves where in an earlier paragraph they say the PLAYER ordered this bat in the model number and length but then go on to say a 33 inch bat can not be found in the factory ordering records?

2. Is the above discrepancy a big deal I should worry about?

3. Is the main description above the photo of the bat where is says Professional Model Bat the same on all bats, or is there a designation that says the players name and a GAME USED Model bat?

4. With the description above is this considered a game used bat? Nowhere on the LOA does it say GAME USED

I don't want to buy a bat that is supposed to be GAME USED, if it is not. I just don't know the different terminologies for bats and don't want to get caught up in confusing language.

Thanks in advance for any answers, info, guidance to the above will be greatly appreciated,

Fred

[yanks12025]

Fred,

Based on your post, it sounds like its a team ordered/index bat. Which is a bat ordered by the Team for other players to use (pitchers, minor leaguers, etc). Normally it would be a star player (Mantle) and a model number they normally ordered.

So yes the PSA description says that player X had ordered bats has short as 32.5.. But during the time when your bat is from, they never had orders of 33 inch bats. But the team records show them ordering bats in that range.

So based on that, the chances of the bat being used by the player who's on the barrel is very slim to probably none.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

Fred,

Based on your post, it sounds like its a team ordered/index bat. Which is a bat ordered by the Team for other players to use (pitchers, minor leaguers, etc). Normally it would be a star player (Mantle) and a model number they normally ordered.

So yes the PSA description says that player X had ordered bats has short as 32.5.. But during the time when your bat is from, they never had orders of 33 inch bats. But the team records show them ordering bats in that range.

So based on that, the chances of the bat being used by the player who's on the barrel is very slim to probably none.

Excellent explanation from Brock... completely agree with his assessment.

[Mark]

I agree with Brock. It's possible that the player with no name used the bat, but it seems that there's nothing that we know that makes it probable. It's still a pro model bat of player X, and that's not a bad thing---but it's not something that would earn a 9 or a 10 from PSA/DNA. You couldn't honestly say "this is a bat that X used." As for your first and third questions, I believe that this is their standard language. I think that language will appear on their letters/ photos even if they go on to say that the bat has unique player characteristics or that there is a photo match showing that the bat was used in a pro game.

[JoeDfan]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

Fred,

Based on your post, it sounds like its a team ordered/index bat. Which is a bat ordered by the Team for other players to use (pitchers, minor leaguers, etc). Normally it would be a star player (Mantle) and a model number they normally ordered.

So yes the PSA description says that player X had ordered bats has short as 32.5.. But during the time when your bat is from, they never had orders of 33 inch bats. But the team records show them ordering bats in that range.

So based on that, the chances of the bat being used by the player who's on the barrel is very slim to probably none.

That is exactly how I would interpret it.

[JoeDfan]

Also, since I am thinking about it, my guess on your mystery man is Tony Gwynn.

(You don't have to give up the name of course. I just thought it would be fun to play)

[whiteymet]

Guys:

Thanks for your replies.

Still more questions/comments/answers.

Just to be clear, is there a different LOA for Game Used bats or do all bats have the "Professional Model Bat" designation above the photo of the bat?

No, JoeDfan it is not Tony Gwynn, but rather another left handed hitting HOFer

Is there a standard difference in value between a bat like this and a G.U. bat? Say 25% less etc.?

HOF bat collectors would not want a bat like this in their collections?

Thanks again,

Fred

[Mark]

As I understand it, their photo spreads of gamers usually have the Pro Model Bat language at the top of the page. Consider:

http://https://www.psacard.com/ProBatFacts/#29hall-of-fame-players

As for the phrase "game used," it may not appear in the letter, but if the bat is graded, it gets a designation such as PSA/DNA GU 10 or PSA/DNA GU 6. The higher the number, the more confident they are that it is game used. This Jeter bat sounds like it was almost surely used by him in a game. They say that it has his characteristics and that he used it during the period when the bat was issued, but they don't use the phrase "game used bat" other than the GU 10.

http://https://www.iconicauctions.com/derek_jeter_signed___game_used_2001_03_ny_yankees_-lot81155.aspx

Lou Brock?

[JoeDfan]

Originally Posted by whiteymet

Guys:

Thanks for your replies.

Still more questions/comments/answers.

Just to be clear, is there a different LOA for Game Used bats or do all bats have the "Professional Model Bat" designation above the photo of the bat?

No, JoeDfan it is not Tony Gwynn, but rather another left handed hitting HOFer

Is there a standard difference in value between a bat like this and a G.U. bat? Say 25% less etc.?

HOF bat collectors would not want a bat like this in their collections?

Thanks again,

Fred

The ones I have say what yours says IF the bat is just a pro stock/team index bat. Sometimes they say "use by the named player cannot be determined" or something like that.

The ones that are game used say the "Professional Model Bat"; but very specifically say in the narrative something like "our opinion that the bat was game used by [Your Player] during the referenced labeling period".

There is a HUGE difference in price on a bat that says "was game used by" and "professional model". Index bats are typically a fraction of the price.

I actually LOVE team index bats, and if it is not a player I have already, would be very interested.

And, darn it. I thought I had it figured out.

Sean