To get the best performance from your bat,
there are certain procedures that manufacturers
recommend and pitfalls to be avoided if
possible.
Bat willow
is soft
and light, but hardens when subjected mechanically to pressing rollers.
Naturally, because it is a soft wood the condition of the bat will deteriorate
during usage. 
Bats can be seriously damaged by a Yorker i.e. when the ball is
trapped between the bat and the ground, causing the willow to split diagonally
at the toe.
If the ball strikes the edge of the bat with
sufficient force, heavy impact damage may occur.
Water
penetrating the toe may cause the pressing to lift and if action is not taken
immediately, the toe can be easily damaged by striking the ball or simply by
heavy tapping at the crease.
Some small
cracks are
bound to occur on the bat, due to wear and tear, but these will not affect its
performance.
Willow quickly takes up and releases moisture.
If a bat is stored in warm or hot conditions it will
dry out, making the wood brittle and prone to
damage. LIGHT applications of raw linseed oil
every two to three weeks help prevent this and
should be carried out throughout the bat's life.
Exceptions are covered bats which can be kept
clean simply by wiping the blade. They may be
oiled if the covers are completely or partially
removed. AVOID over-oiling, which adds to the
bat's weight, spoils its driving power and may cause
"wood rot."
Another major problem is
the use of CHEAP BALLS,
which are less resilient. This is false economy. Top
quality balls are expensive for a reason. Using cheap balls
will damage your bat in a very short time, so only use
balls of reputable make. Bats may also be damaged if
they are not properly played in when new. It is better
to use old leather balls whilst carrying out this
process, if possible.
Finally, even the best player sometimes misses his
shot and this can't be helped. However, continual
badly missed shots will eventually cause especial
damage to the edges, toe and shoulders of the bat.
So, to summarise:
- Knock in your bat when new.
- Keep it oiled where necessary, but don't over-oil.
- Store it in the correct environment.
- Don't expose the base of the bat to prolonged
dampness.
- Don't continue playing with a damaged bat.
- Don't use cheap balls - buy the most expensive you
can afford.
- Don't mis-use your bat in the dressing room
or at the nets. You probably know what I mean!
LOOK AFTER YOUR BAT AND IT WILL LOOK
AFTER YOU!