What Is Bat Rolling and Shaving?

Since its invention in 1867, baseball has been America's sport, becoming one of the nation's most popular pastimes. We've come a long way since the days of hand-whittled bats made from maple and willow, but sportsmen and women are still innovating ways to get more distance and bounce from their hit. One of baseball's latest innovations includes rolling and shaving the bat to break it in and to increase performance. But can you have one without the other? Here, we'll explore both the rolling and shaving techniques to help you determine if they're right for your game. 

Using  rolled baseball bats just means that the bat has been broken in in advance, and some believe this leads to improved performance. Rolled bats are placed into a rolling machine (something like a large-scale cigarette roller) and compressed and rolled for several minutes. Usually, heat is added, ensuring that the bat is broken in evenly. Traditionally, players should be rotating their baseball or softball bats after every hit to ensure that the heat distributes evenly. Investing in rolled baseball bats ensures that the bat is game-ready the moment it arrives.


Bat shaving occurs after the bat has been rolled or broken in. The bat shaving service will remove the end cap and shave down the inner walls of your bat, which increases the pop and distance of your hits. With that said, shaved bats tend not to last as long because the inner walls have been depleted.


In sum, you can have a rolled bat that is not shaved, but a bat that is shaved should be rolled first. While you can invest in shaved and rolled softball bats or baseball bats (so-called "juiced bats"), services are happy to do the bat rolling and shaving on your favorite bat. Whether you're looking for rolled USA bats or shaved Dudley bats, there is a way to make it happen.


Always do your research to find a high-quality baseball bat shaving service. A small and personal rolling and shaving company that listens to your needs and concerns is always the best bet when it comes to improving your ball game.