About the Old Hickory Max Clark M3C Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat
The Old Hickory Max Clark M3C Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat is the game bat of Max Clark, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, and it is built to the same model and the same Steel Pressed finish he swings. The M3C has a medium barrel and a thin handle that runs to a flared 271 knob, a combination that gives a balanced and powerful swing. It is turned from rock maple, cut to a -3 target weight and sold in adult baseball lengths from 31 to 34 inches, including half sizes.
The M3C Profile
- Barrel: medium
- Handle: thin
- Knob: flared
- Feel: balanced
- Stock finish: natural barrel, black handle
The M3C is a balanced bat with a thin handle, which is a less common pairing. In the Old Hickory lineup the other balanced models have a medium or thick handle; the M3C keeps the even feel while giving the hands a thin grip to whip the barrel. The medium barrel keeps the bat quick, and the flared 271 knob gives the bottom hand a firm stop. It suits a hitter who wants quickness and control without giving up a thin handle.
What Steel Pressed Means
Steel Pressed is Old Hickory's proprietary process for its pro stock bats. The rock maple is compressed and compacted with steel, which tightens the wood grain and produces a dramatically harder, more durable wood bat than an untreated billet. A harder, more durable bat holds up longer to batting practice and game use. The M3C is one of Old Hickory's stock models in the Steel Pressed finish, and Old Hickory backs every Steel Pressed bat with a 60-day warranty.
Sizes and Target Weights
Every Old Hickory Steel Pressed stock bat is cut to a -3 target weight, which means the weight in ounces is three less than the length in inches. The M3C comes in 31, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5 and 34 inch lengths, so hitters between sizes can order a half inch:
- 31 inch, 28 ounce target
- 32 inch, 29 ounce target
- 32.5 inch, 29.5 ounce target
- 33 inch, 30 ounce target
- 33.5 inch, 30.5 ounce target
- 34 inch, 31 ounce target
The easiest way to choose is to match the length of the bat the hitter swings now. Each half inch of length adds half an ounce of target weight, so step up only if the current bat feels light.
Who the Old Hickory Max Clark M3C Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Is For
- High school, college and adult baseball hitters who want a balanced bat with a thin handle
- Quick, compact hitters who want to stay short to the ball
- Hitters who like a flared knob
- Players who want to swing the same model and finish as Max Clark, the No. 3 overall pick
How the M3C Compares
Old Hickory groups its Steel Pressed stock models by feel: balanced, semi-end loaded and end loaded. The M3C is a balanced bat. The other balanced models in this lineup:
- KT30: medium barrel, thick handle, standard knob
- BD33: medium to large barrel, medium handle, flared knob
- J7H: medium barrel, medium handle, flared knob
If the M3C is close but not quite right, for more weight out front, look at the semi-end loaded MT27 and RA13 or the end loaded MO28 and 25BB.
Pair It With an Old Hickory Trainer
The Old Hickory HTA Adult Hands Trainer Bat comes in the same 31 to 34 inch lengths and builds hand and forearm strength for bat speed. The Old Hickory FT1 Flat Sided Trainer Bat shows a hitter whether the barrel is square at contact. Order the trainer in the same length as the game bat.
Caring for a Maple Wood Bat
- Hit real leather baseballs. Dimpled machine balls and rubber cage balls are hard on wood bats.
- Store the bat indoors, away from extreme heat, cold and humidity.
- Check the bat for cracks before each session.
- Do not use the bat to knock cleats or hit anything other than a baseball.
Old Hickory Max Clark M3C Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Specifications
- Brand: Old Hickory
- Model: M3C
- Player model: Max Clark
- Wood: rock maple
- Finish: Steel Pressed
- Stock color: natural barrel, black handle
- Barrel: medium
- Handle: thin
- Knob: flared
- Feel: balanced
- Lengths: 31, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34 inches
- Weight: -3 target (length in inches minus 3 = ounces)
- Warranty: 60 days, handled by Old Hickory
- Sport: baseball
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the M3C come in half sizes?
Yes. The M3C Steel Pressed is sold in 31, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5 and 34 inch lengths.
How is the M3C different from the J7H?
Both are balanced with a medium barrel and a flared knob. The M3C has a thin handle; the J7H has a medium handle.
What does -3 mean?
It is the length to weight ratio. The M3C is cut to a target weight three ounces less than its length in inches, so the 33 inch bat targets 30 ounces.
What is Steel Pressed?
Old Hickory's proprietary process that compresses and compacts the wood grain to make a harder, more durable maple bat.
What is the warranty?
Old Hickory covers Steel Pressed bats with a 60-day limited warranty. Warranty claims are handled directly by Old Hickory.
