Louisville, Kentucky

 Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.  Two perspectives of the huge bat outside the building. 

Owen at bat using Johnny Bench's bat. One of the workers on the assembly line.  She was at the end, engraving names and getting the bats ready to ship.

BATS!


Took the tour at the factory.  Pretty amazing to see how quickly the bats are made.  Used to take 20 to 30 minutes but today it takes 30 seconds using the electronic lathes.  One employee who has worked over 30 years makes all the bats for the pros.  It is now done with the help of a computer.  If the bat has an actual autograph the pro is under contract with Louisville Slugger, if the name is in block letters then there is no contract so no signature.  The pros do not pay for their bats the team does but the semi pros have to pay out of pocket.  The computer stores all of the info for each batter's preferences making it much easier to create individual styles for each team's players.