Jalamander wrote:Rule3, Section 1. OFFICIAL BAT.
B. SAFETY KNOB: the knob shall have a diameter of at least 1.6 inches with no sharp edges. The knob will be permanently attached to the bat and may be taped with safety tape.
D. SAFETY GRIP: Covers the handle region of the bat. The Safety Grip shall not be less than 10 inches and not more than 15 inches. There shall be no exposed metal in the 10 - 15 inch area. The Safety Grip may be a molded finger formed grip as long as it is permanently attached to the bat, or attached with safety tape. Resin, pine tar or spray substances are permissible on the Safety Grip only. Any tape applied to the Safety Grip must be a continuous spiral. A bat having a flare or cone shaped grip attached is legal.
I was not at the meetings and do not have the new book yet ... But it says permanantely attached also may be taped and the part about the flare or cone shape attached being legal ... One could argue that the intent of the rule is to make sure the cone or flare is form fittting and not flopping loosely on the knob as some do ... Thus having the appearance of being permanentely attached, much as the safety grips are when the bats come from the factory ...