Old Hickory Michael Harris II MH23 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat

The Old Hickory Michael Harris II MH23 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat is built to the same model and the same Steel Pressed finish as Michael Harris II's game bat. The MH23 has a large barrel, a thin handle and a slightly flared knob, a build that allows for maximum whip and power throughout the swing. It has an end loaded feel, it is turned from rock maple and cut to a -3 target weight, and it comes in adult baseball lengths from 31 to 34 inches, including half sizes.

The MH23 Profile

• Barrel: large
• Handle: thin
• Knob: slightly flared
• Feel: end loaded
• Stock finish: natural barrel, pro wine handle

The MH23 puts its mass in a large barrel and lets a thin handle do the whipping. That end loaded balance keeps momentum in the barrel through contact, which is what power hitters are after. The knob has only a slight flare, so it sits between a traditional standard knob and a full flare: enough shape to lock in the bottom hand without a pronounced flare.

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 MH23 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 MH23 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 Michael Harris II MH23 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Is For

• Strong high school, college and adult baseball hitters who want an end loaded bat
• Hitters who want a large barrel and a thin handle for whip
• Hitters who want only a slight flare at the knob
• Players who want to swing Michael Harris II's model and finish

How the MH23 Compares

Old Hickory groups its Steel Pressed stock models by feel: balanced, semi-end loaded and end loaded. The MH23 is an end loaded bat. The other end loaded models in this lineup:

• MO28: large barrel, thin handle, flared knob
• 25BB: large barrel, thin handle, standard knob with slight flare
• AJ99: medium barrel, thin to medium handle, flared knob

If the MH23 is close but not quite right, for a lighter, more even feel, look at the semi-end loaded or balanced models such as the MT27 and KT30.

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 Michael Harris II MH23 Steel Pressed Maple Wood Baseball Bat Specifications

• Brand: Old Hickory
• Model: MH23
• Player model: Michael Harris II
• Wood: rock maple
• Finish: Steel Pressed
• Stock color: natural barrel, pro wine handle
• Barrel: large
• Handle: thin
• Knob: slightly flared
• Feel: end loaded
• 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

How is the MH23 different from the MO28?

Both are end loaded with a large barrel and a thin handle. The MH23 has a slightly flared knob; the MO28 has a flared knob.

Is the MH23 end loaded?

Yes. It is one of four end loaded models in the Old Hickory Steel Pressed stock lineup, along with the MO28, 25BB and AJ99.

What does -3 mean?

It is the length to weight ratio. The MH23 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.