Category Archives: Stadium Tour

Louisville Slugger 2008

An absolute must stop in Louisville is the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. If you are looking for it, you really can’t miss it. There is the replica of Babe Ruth’s bat (68,000 lbs, 120 feet tall). There are also home plates and bats honoring legends in the game of baseball on the sidewalk. It’s kind of neat just to walk around and take it all in before you get into the factory and museum itself.

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!

In another area, a baseball field is set up with players and bats waiting to be taken up to the plate. You can even pretend you are playing yourself.

Or you can loose yourself in the giant glove.

For me, the best part of the tour was when they brought us through the factory and showed us how the bats are made. If I remember correctly, we couldn’t take pictures of this part of the tour (hence I don’t have any) but it’s just a better reason for you to go check it out yourself! There are also videos, a gift shop and the best part is at the end of the tour, you receive a free miniature bat to take home for yourself. How fun is that?! I still have mine for personal protection, if I ever need it!

The factory was a lot of fun to visit and I would definitely recommend it. It’s also in a great part of town just to walk around and see the sights!

For more info on the tour, check out the Louisville Slugger website.

Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Ranger’s Baseball Stadium

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In honor of opening day tomorrow at the Ranger’s Stadium – it’s officially baseball season 2011! Whoohoo!

For those who love baseball, the season is here! For some its the most exciting part of the year. Opening day means getting together with some of your closest friends, heading to the parking lot as early as you can and tailgating until game time. You walk into the ballpark wearing your best fan gear with hundreds of other fans ready to take on everything the season is about to bring. On the way to your seat, you grab a beer and nachos, popcorn or any other snack item and get ready to cheer on your team (and hopefully they win!)!

In honor of opening day of the Rangers ballpark (and other stadiums) and since the opening day game couldn’t be against a better team (the Red Sox). Let’s chat about the Ranger’s ballpark!

The stadium has had a lot of upgrades this year including a new, huge screen in the outfield (come on we have Jerry World next door to keep an eye on), but upgrades aren’t everything. Each stadium has a tour, I’ve been on the Ranger’s tour twice, here are some highlights (however I encourage you to check it out yourself).

You will have a personal tour guide that will bring you to various locations throughout the stadium and tell you historical and informational stories about the building and even a few secrets. (I’m not going to tell you the secrets, then you wouldn’t take the tour!)