Marucci Sports

Marucci Sports
Formerly called
 Marucci Bat Co.
Industry Baseball bats, sporting goods
Founded 2002
Founder Jack Marucci
Headquarters Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Key people
 Kurt Ainsworth, Joe Lawrence, Brett Laxton

Marucci Sports (founded as Marucci Bat Co.)[1] 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.[2] The company is co-owned by former major league baseball players Kurt Ainsworth and Joe Lawrence[3] and is notable for promoting Maple wood bats over Ash wood.[4]

As of 2013, Marucci bats are used by one-third of Major League Baseball players,[3] notably David Ortiz,[3] José Bautista,[3] Carlos Beltrán, David Wright, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols,[3] and Chase Utley.[4]

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.[2][3][5] The company has since expanded its product range to include aluminum bats, batting gloves, fielding gloves, clothing and apparel.[4]

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.[1][6]

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.[3][4]

Current and former Marucci athletes

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Marucci Story told by Larry King". Marucci Sports. Marucci Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Athletic Department: Jack Marucci". lsusports.net. Louisiana State University. August 3, 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Heitner, Darren (July 31, 2013). "MLB Outfielder Jose Bautista Joins Marucci Sports Board Of Directors". forbes.com. Forbes. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Glor, Jeff (April 4, 2012). "Marucci bats a hit with pro baseball players". cbsnews.com. CBS News. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  5. 1 2 Glier, Ray (February 11, 2008). "Bat man of Louisiana finds way to majors by accident". usatoday.com. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: USA Today. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Glier, Ray (October 1, 2013). "Louisville Slugger losing grip as bat of choice". usatoday.com. Atlanta, Georgia: USA Today. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "CARLOS CORREA'S MARUCCI CC14 MAPLE BAT". whatproswear.com. 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Press Release (June 13, 2014). ""Inside the Marlins: In the Swing" set to premiere". marlins.mlb.com. Miami Marlins, MLB.com. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
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