While Hillerich & Bradsby Co. does not appraise or authenticate bats, we know a few people who do!
Our recommendation: contact the Official Auction Company of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Reach out to Hunt Auctions below!
Additionally, you can consult any local sports memorabilia store, the Yellow Pages, or flea markets for estimates on the worth of your special artifact.
The total weight of the bat is approximately 68,000 pounds. The hollow interior has a 30,000 gallon capacity. The bat is constructed of ASTM A36 carbon steel. The bat is 120 ft. long with a 9 ft. diameter at the base; 3 ft., 6 in. diameter at the handle with a 6 ft. 6 in. diameter knob.
Bat model number: C271; made famous by outfielder, Jose Cardenal, who spent 18 seasons in the major leagues playing for nine different teams (with this very bat).
- Edd Roush of the Cincinnati Reds used the heaviest bat, a 48 ounce piece of timber.
- Billy Goodman, who won the batting championship in 1950 (while with the Boston Red Sox) used the lightest bat. With a 30 ounce bat, Goodman went on to win the batting crown.
- Joe Morgan, former Most Valuable Player of Cincinnati Reds, also used a 30 ounce bat.
- The longest bat in our history was used by Al Simmons: a 38” bat. Notably, Simmons played with Philadelphia and Boston in the American League during the 1940’s.
- The shortest bat ever ordered for regular play was a 30 ½” ordered by Willie Keeler, who played with the Yankees.
- Ruth used a 36” and 42 ounce bat with a medium handle and medium barrel.
- Hank Aaron used a bat similar to Babe Ruth’s; except his was 35” long and weighed 33 ounces.
- Mickey Mantle used a medium handle and a small to medium barrel (at 35” long and 32 ounces).
- Roger Maris used a medium barrel with a medium handle.
Today’s bats are lighter. They have larger barrels and thinner handles. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron used similar bat models, but whereas the Babe’s bat weighed 42 ounces, Aaron’s was just 33 ounces.
Through the years, the type of wood has also changed. Once, ash used to be the most popular wood used for professional baseball bats. Now, most bats are made using maple wood, as well as some birch and ash.
Even though there are over 8,000 variations, the players today typically choose from approximately 300 popular models.
On average, a player will order approximately 120 bats in a season.
H&B owns about 6,500 acres of timberland in Pennsylvania and New York. The company also purchases lumber from other sources.
Approximately 75% of pro bats are made from maple wood, 20% are made from birch, and 5% are made from northern white ash. The best timber comes from parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and other northeastern states where the terrain and climate are most favorable to its growth.
In the past, though hickory was also a popular wood for bats, it has become too heavy to meet the demands of today's players.
Approximately 1.8 million — of all sizes. About 3,000 full sized bats are made per day at the factory in Louisville. During our peak production time (around Spring Training), the factory makes about 5,000 bats per day.
To make a request, just follow the process listed below!
All requests must be in writing. You can email your request below.
Requests can also be mailed to:
Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
800 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Please Note: Unfortunately, Hillerich & Bradsby Co. is not able to fulfill all of the many worthy donation requests we receive.
Walk-in requests and phone call requests will not be considered. Requests for financial support of an event must be made at least 60 days prior to the event to receive consideration. Requests for bats or other items must be made at least 30 days in advance to receive consideration.