TRUNK-TO-BAT!!!...The Louisville Slugger brand was born in 1894 when J.F. Hillerich patented the name, establishing the “World’s First Bat Company”. Aside from a couple of brands that continue to compete with the legendary bat-making company, Louisville Slugger remains the go-to bat for a majority of ballplayers. Beginning with a hunk of ash “after trees are felled, they are cut into bolts and then split”. They are then lathed to meet the specifications for each individual player who places an order prior to spring training to last them well into the regular season before ordering again. Presented is an intriguing and educational walk through the stages of bat making featuring none other than the 1950s greatest slugging hero, Mickey Mantle.

Beginning with freshly cut timber, to the turning of the bat to sanding, branding and so on, each step is represented here with a piece of wood (bolt) and a small photographic illustration and typewritten explanation affixed to the end, giving detail of the process. The process has remained consistent for more than a century, providing lumber for the likes of Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and thousands of ballplayers around the world. This is an amazing step-by-step examination of Louisville Slugger’s bat production using the Commerce Comet as the model with two professional model Mickey Mantle bats included (one complete).