Yes bats cost a lot of money to replace but just suck it up; borrow a bat for a tournament or two if you need several weeks to save up the money but you have to take responsibility and pull the bat from play and buy a new one....the end
Bat is question scn4b 31/21
Find an OG Synergy from that period (scn2, 1, or 3 in that order) and you will have a hot(ter)(est) bat without the durability issues.
I wouldn't use the bat "isf rules clarification: a bat that is not free of rattles shall be considered an illegal bat." NCAA : "......they are a sign of near failure or tampering."
Why is a spouse touching anything of yours? I assume it is common knowledge that the bat rattles? If in a national tourney or ncaa, no matter what her intentions, it would appear to most that she is hiding the bat to avoid inspection. If a spouse pulled my dd's bat out of the bag with no explanation, I think dw (or dd) would give her a rattle.