Formerly called Marucci Bat Co. Founded 2002 | Founder Kurt Ainsworth Headquarters Baton Rouge | |
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Industry Baseball bats, sporting goods Key people Kurt Ainsworth, Joe Lawrence, Brett Laxton CEO Brett Stohlton (7 Feb 2012–) Profiles | ||
Marucci sports presents honor the game episode 1
Marucci Sports (founded as Marucci Bat Co.) is an American manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was founded in 2002 by the Louisiana State University athletic training director Jack Marucci. The company is co-owned by former major league baseball players Kurt Ainsworth and Joe Lawrence and is notable for promoting Maple wood bats over Ash wood.
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As of 2013, Marucci bats are used by one-third of Major League Baseball players, notably David Ortiz, José Bautista, Carlos Beltrán, David Wright, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, and Chase Utley.
History
The company began when Jack Marucci's 8-year-old son Gino wanted a wooden bat to emulate his idols in the MLB. After struggling to find a wooden bat for his son, he decided to make his own. He crafted a bat in his shed using Amish wood and an $80 lathe and Gino began using the bat in games. After receiving many requests from Gino's friends, Jack made a few bats for his friend Eduardo Pérez who was a Major League first baseman at the time, and from there word of Marucci spread throughout Major League Baseball. Marucci continued to craft bats in his backyard shed until 2005, the year the company's bats were approved for MLB use. The company has since expanded its product range to include aluminum bats, batting gloves, fielding gloves, clothing and apparel.
In a relatively short period of time, Marucci has taken a large share of the baseball bat market from longtime industry leader Louisville Slugger, with Marucci claiming itself to be the #1 bat in the majors.
Unlike other apparel and equipment manufacturers, instead of sponsoring athletes Marucci has brought in players as company owners and advisers to product development. Notable members of the Advisory Board include Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, and Andrew McCutchen. One player, José Bautista, is a member of the company's board of directors.