> Well, the idea is to make Dr Evil more Leyland like, not more like Butterfly
Orthodox. Though I do see your point.

I've not (yet) had the pleasure of hitting with Leyland so perhaps my frame of
reference is off a bit.

> The Leyland that I have has textured pips tops, and while playing with Scott's
3-ply Hock at the HB Classic, I noticed that the Leyland on it had a cloth
backing.

OK... the Butterfly Orthodox that I have on my bat is cloth backed and the pips
do also have a textured surface.

> I've heard two somewhat consistent complaints about Dr Evil. The first is
that it is somehow "plastic" and the second is that it has anti-spin
characteristics.

"Plastic" is an interesting description. As to the anti-spin... yeah, I can
certainly see that. I play a fellow at work regularly that is strictly an
hardbatter. Not that you see him checking in here or anything... however, I
usually loan him the one bat I have that has Dr. Evil on it. I'll play with my
squishy Yasaka MKV blade and fire some rat nasty junk at him and yes... I
daresay the Dr. Evil has quite a bit of anti-spin characteristics.

> I believe that a texture on the tops of the pips will give them a less
variable character - resulting is slightly less maximum spin and somewhat less
ability to "glass" the ball letting it slip by using a light stroke.

Hmmm. Well a textured pip surface would make it more consistent with other
approved materials, no?

> And I believe that a slightly thicker base and/or a fabric backing will
moderate what some people perceive as the "plastic" feel of the rubber.

Ah... yes... now I get the "plastic" feel and it makes sense. I believe you're
correct in putting something... be it a laminatoin of fabric or even a bit more
rubber back there... would provide for a little more "give" in the pip.

> That might be worth a try. I suppose I could bond a thin layer of linen under
the rubber as well.

Methinks that could be easily accomplished.... by first affixing the fabric ...
and I think a cheesecloth or something similarly... "transparant" first to the
blade and then gluing the rubber on top.

> Of course it would be completely illegal, but it might give a hint as to what
any changes might bring.

Absolutely it would.

> Not that I have any notion about how to get 729/Friendship to make the changes
if they were desired.

I think it might be easier to get the committee to approve the fabric lamination
process. Providing of course, that pursuant to other attributes, the bat
remains within the parameters of what is considered to be a hardbat.

Either way, excellent food for thought. I would like to see a little more
thickness on the Dr. Evil as it's quite a challenge to put on the blade.

Cheers!

Larry "Boneman" Bone
Dingmans Ferry, PA