Do they still make Adirondack bats?
Rachel Davis
Updated on January 16, 2026
Yet in an era when so many legendary Upstate industries have closed, they’re still making big league-quality bats on McKinley Avenue. The Adirondack bat used by Bobby Thomson of the New York Giants for a famous game-winning home run against the Brooklyn Dodgers, 1951.
Is Louisville Slugger going out of business?
Iconic Baseball Bat Company Louisville Slugger Shuts Down Amid Coronavirus Crisis. One of baseball’s most iconic brands – and a piece of Americana for some – has closed its doors amid the coronavirus pandemic. Overall, the company produces about 2 million wood bats a year.
What happened to Louisville Slugger bats?
The company that makes Louisville Slugger wood baseball bats has closed its factory, furloughed 90 percent of its employees and shut its popular museum. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. says it has continued to cover all health care benefits for its 171 furloughed workers.
When did MLB start using cupped bats?
Brock, created the cup end bat. But oh no, guess again. In 1940, Hank Sauer, who had a successful fifteen year career with the Reds, Cubs, Cardinals, and Giants, was using a cup end bat made by the Hanna Bat Manufacturing Company of Athens Georgia.
What wood are major league bats made of?
Maple bats
Overall, over the course of the last 20 years, Maple bats have emerged as the most popular species of wood used by players at the major league level. This is due to the hardness, durability, and overall performance of the wood. Maple bats make up approximately 75% to 80% of all bats used at the major league level.
Where does Rawlings make their bats?
Rawlings Adirondack factory
McGwire hails from California and plays his home games in St. Louis, but his bats are made here, at the Rawlings Adirondack factory.
Are Louisville Slugger bats made in China?
Yes, this Lousville Slugger Fastpitch bats are currenty made in China.
Are Louisville Slugger bats good?
They’re widely respected in the major leagues. They have good wood and they treat us really well, but sometimes you may say, ‘I want that bat in a Louisville Slugger model,’ and they bring it to you and it’s not the same, so you put it aside.
Do major leaguers pay for their bats?
While uncommon, MLB players buy their own bats on certain occasions. Bat manufacturers often have endorsement deals with Major League players where they can get paid to use a brands gear. Players always have the option to purchase their own bats as long as they meet league rules and regulations.
Why do they cup the end of baseball bats?
By cupping out the end, that will remove any unnecessary weight that is toward the end of the barrel and allow a player to have more control and give them quicker swing speeds. Quicker swing speed translates into increased exit velocity and further ball flight.
When did the manufacture of baseball bats change?
The manufacture of just about everything, from baseball bats to printer ink, evolves over time. When most people buy printer ink or baseball bats, however, they rarely think of how those items have changed over the years. Approaching the Civil War years, 1861 to 1865, some players had a difficult time gripping the large bat handle.
How long has pennant ingredients been in business?
Pennant Ingredients prides itself on the team like atmosphere. Many of our employees have been members of our team for over 10 years. We work hard together and celebrate as a team like we did in the photo to the left on one of our Magic Day events. We Make A Difference in our Community!
When did Pete Browning break his baseball bat?
During the 1884 baseball season, John Hillerich, a woodworker for his father and a good amateur ballplayer, was in the stands watching ‘The Louisville Eclipse’ of The Professional American Association play. During this game, Pete “The Gladiator” Browning, star outfielder, broke his favorite bat and became very frustrated.
When did Charles Millard start making baseball bats?
In 1945 he was joined by Charles Millard and together they formed he partnership of McLaughlin and Millard. In the spring of 1946, McLaughlin and Millard began making baseball bats. They knew that they were located in an area plentiful with Northern white ash, the best quality wood for manufacturing baseball bats.