The company was started back in the early 1800’s by the Hillerich family, originally from Germany. In the 1860’s they moved to Louisville and opened a woodworking shop and soon had a group of employees. In the 1880’s the Hillerich’s oldest son, “Bud” became an apprentice in the shop. Did I mention he was also an amateur baseball player? Bud soon started making his own bats as well as bats for some of his teammates. “AH!”.
Legend has it the first professional bat was made for Pete Browning in 1884 who played on Louisville’s professional team, The Eclipse. The story goes that after Browning received the new bat, he had three hits and was nicknamed, “The Louisville Slugger”. Although there has been a lot of questions concerning the correct history of how the bat came about, one thing if for certain – they’re apparently doing something right and the Louisville Slugger Factory is still the name in baseball bats today. One of their most popular features is that amateur players can purchase the bat model of their favorite baseball player. What kid wouldn’t want to do that?!
Today, the factory also makes aluminum and composite bats for adult baseball, youth and softball. Well rounded I would day. They have also teamed up to make bionic gloves for baseball, softball, hockey and gardening. Technology is crazy isn’t it?! And if all that still isn’t enough, the Louisville Slugger is also the home of the World’s Largest Baseball Bat.
What can you expect when you go to check this out? Now, I took this tour a few years ago but I remember it being quite extensive and as a baseball lover you really try to take in every single thing. For starters, they have this HUGE wall with the signatures of the players as you can see them on the bats. Go on, find your favorites!
