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THE LATEST SWAG THE INDUSTRY HAS TO OFFER
- Posted on
- By Carl Lemelin
- 0
Sometimes, manufacturers hit the jackpot with a products that either fills a void at the perfect time, or that is so appealing that no baseball fanatic can resist buying it.
Occasionally, we like to give you a glimpse of what’s new in the wonderful world of baseball/softball products. The industry is constantly evolving, and it seems like manufacturers are getting better at listening to their customers, because many new arrivals on the market are flying off the shelves at rates we’ve never seen!
Here are a few examples of post pandemic launches at Baseball Town that have already been a smashing success, or that are brand-new and, due to innovative specs or other cool features, have the potential to become the next big thing.
BRUCE BOLT BATTING GLOVES
We haven’t seen a product this hot in our stores since the first version of the Easton Walk-Off backpack came out a few years back.
When Bruce Bolt batting gloves started to appear on TV broadcasts – seeing MLB players adjusting the double-wrap long-cuffs – everyone was curious about these cool looking new hitting accessories. That’s when we made the decision that we needed to bring them into our BT shops, because it’s in our DNA to be ahead of the curve on all innovative products that hit the baseball/softball market.
I would be lying if I told you that there wasn’t some scepticism at the Head Office that $120 batting gloves would sell when the most expensive ones on our walls at the time ran for about half that price. So, we started out with a very conservative first order and waited to see how the customer response would go.
Needless to say, that first shipment did not last very long. As the cool kids say, we got cleaned out in a hurry! To this day, we can never seem to order enough Bruce Bolt gloves. Mid-season repeat orders are now standard operating procedure.
To think that this young company was founded by a 16-year-old from Texas (with a little help from his dad) named Bear Mayer. He was a young ball player who was disappointed with the standard offering of batting gloves. In his view, most batting gloves weren’t durable or comfortable enough.
That’s when the design for these rugged, yet very form fitting Cabretta leather batting gloves was created (in 2017). The distinct feature of the original BB gloves was the longer cuff and its double-wrap Velcro straps that offer more wrist support while fastening the gloves more securely to the hands.
With this product, the proof really is in the pudding, as they say. In store, the sale closes when the player tries the gloves on. We see eyes light up, expressing the unique, never felt before ultimate comfort, as if the gloves were an extension of the hand – a feel every hitter has always been searching for in his or her batting gloves.
That, combined with the feedback all over social media on the gloves’ now legendary durability, has Bear’s little start-up thriving like I’m sure even he never thought possible.
Now, Bruce Bolts are offered in long and short cuffs, in different MLB players’ Signature Series, in a Chrome Series (with a chrome BB Lightning Bolt logo), and in all kinds of colors. The company has even started branching out to other products like sleeves, so who knows what’s next for Bruce Bolt’s great American success story?
Shop Bruce Bolt Batting Gloves here.
MARUCCI CAT X AND LOUISVILLE SLUGGER ATLAS BATS
Marucci has long been known as the company that stole the baseball wood bat market away from the dominant grips of Louisville Slugger between 2006 and 2016 by taking over a huge portion of MLB player usage.
Although Marucci originally made its name in the wood bat industry, its more recent endeavor into the metal bat market seems to be following the same road to success.
Marucci’s new Cat X line of alloy/composite bats is all the rage! Independent online reviews – pivotal to a new product’s marketing these days – have been touting Cat X bats as top-tier performers ever since they were launched. The feedback we get in-store also speaks to this line’s pop, huge sweet spot and incredible feel on contact.
Cat X bats are available in BBCOR and USSSA certifications, and come in one-piece alloy, two-piece hybrid (composite handle/alloy barrel), and two-piece composite versions.
As previously mentioned, Louisville Slugger is looking to make a bit of a comeback after losing their longtime bat industry dominance. The Atlas seems to be the model that might just accomplish that feat for them.
Online testers mention them in the same breath as previous BBCOR king Voodoo One and the Cat X, especially for overall feel. It may be due to their redesigned two-piece connection system, called the Tuned Mass Dampener (TMD).
Atlas bats are available in BBCOR, USSSA, USA Baseball, and even t-ball certifications, and are offered in one-piece alloy versions only.
Shop Louisville Slugger Atlas bats here.
For more on the differences between alloy and composite bats, or for help with selecting the right bat for you or your child, consult our Bat Buying Guide.
MIKEN BIGFOOT AND SILVERBACK SOFTBALL BATS
Go back five years and Miken/Worth had a chokehold on the slowpitch bat market. But over the past 3 years, Louisville’s Genesis series has carved a huge dent in the previous champ’s supremacy.
Louisville has changed the game by multiplying new model launches. There are approximately four to five new regular line launches yearly, and sometimes just as many Signature Series bats are introduced.
Miken/Worth is attempting to match that frantic pace. Their most recent offering comes in the form of two hot looking, wildlife-and-power-based models – the Bigfoot and the Silverback.
Miken/Worth’s X434 barrel technology offers sure-value performance right out of the wrapper, and both of these gorgeous sticks use it to propel balls into the wilderness. Technically, the difference between the Bigfoot and Silverback is simply a matter of preference.
The Worth Bigfoot is a XXL (1oz endload) with a 12.75” barrel, while the Silverback is a XL (0.5oz endload) with a 12.25” barrel. You want full power with a bit more forgiveness on mishits? Go for the Bigfoot. You are looking for more control with a smaller but hotter sweet spot? Go for the Silverback.
Shop Worth Bigfoot and Silverback bats here.
For more help with selecting the right softball bat for you, consult our Bat Buying Guide.
STANCE SOCKS
By now, every baseball enthusiast knows about Stance socks. They are MLB’s official provider and are by far the most comfortable and durable baseball socks on the market.
Stance socks come in many different colors and schemes, but what many may not know is that they are also made in special edition themed (like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) and in casual wear MLB versions.
The latest in Stance socks offerings is the City Connect collection. City Connect is MLB's effort to connect to each city's story through unique and special team uniforms that reflect what each community is all about. These are the official socks you can see your favorite MLB team sport on the field during City Connect dedicated games.
Whether it is to match your own team unis, or because you simply want to rep your fan nation while casually walking down the street, these unique collector’s items will have you looking like a trendy ball player anywhere you go.
Shop City Connect and other Stance socks here.
CUSTOM CLEATS
Most of you already know we offer custom gloves for players who want to feel like a pro on the diamond. The other item we’ve recently seen MLB players customize to their own personal style and messaging is their cleats.
New this season, BT has enlisted a Quebec-based visual artist to help customize cleats with custom artwork that creates unique footwear that a very lucky few will sport on ball fields out there this season. These one-of-a-kind shoes are offered in New Balance FuelCell L4040v6 metal and TPU plastic cleats models.
You’ve always wanted to express yourself artistically on the field, feel a personal attachment to what you are wearing on your feet, or simply want to be wearing something different that no one else has? This is the product you’ve been searching for!
Two exclusive designs are available in this inaugural year: the Drip and the Homer (as in Simpson). What does the future have to offer, maybe truly personalized custom cleats featuring a design of your own? Stay tuned…
Shop New Balance Custom cleats here.
MITCHELL AND NESS MLB CAPS
Just WOW!!! All you need to do is take one look at these old-school snapback MLB caps to want to have them all lined up on your collector’s display in the mancave!
Some of these classic head pieces feature anniversary patches on the right side, others an alternate team logo, but I’m certain you will agree that all of them have color schemes that scream out “SUPAH SWAG!!!”
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