UPDATED 2/26 WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / OFFER
Just about everyone has shown an interest in ordering their own and/or team bats. I've "combed the desert" so-to-speak and come up with the best deals that we can choose from, but please feel free to shop around on your own. Roy Hobbs will research pricing for you as well, if you want -- you can call or email Todd directly from the RH site linked on the left.
1. Akadema Bats
Go to this
link and check out the available models and sizes for the discounts. They offer "Elite and Professional Grade Maple and Ash bats ($29), as well as their Pro Level Quality Ash bats ($19). Free team engraving will be offered at no additional cost." My guess is if you order ones for yourself, you'd get "Elite," while the team will purchase a couple "Pro" models. Shipping is 22.50 for 10 bats. 10 bat minimum. We can do one line of personalization -- but all bats in an order have to have the same thing or none at all.
The guy at the Cage Club last night told me about this package and says he's been swinging the Elite Maples for over a year with no complaints or breaks. He also got one of the "Tacktion Grip" models, but isn't sold on it yet, prefers the standard grip.
Reviews are good online, "t
heir most popular bats are their "Amish" wood bats that are hand made by Amish craftsman in Pennsylvania. They are one of less than 30 companies whose bats are approved for play in MLB."
2. Viper Bats
I got back an email from their "team sales guy" and this is what they offer: Team Sales. Each bat can be individually personalized, and we can mix and match. They offer Ash ($30) and Maple ($45) as well as Birch and Bamboo ($40). They also "throw in" a free fungo bat with orders. Minimum: 12 bats.
They also offer "Standard" team sales:
link. Here's the jist: 6+ or more bats: 10%, 12+ bats: 14%.
Reviews are good online. They also replicate all classic turnings (Rawlings, LS, etc). Pros include Giambi, Pronk, and Ricky Henderson.
3. X BATS
Their email back was hilarious. They are really expensive, but claim it's worth every cent. They offer individual customization, and are twice the bat you can get at Dick's (for about the sam
e to half the price). They offer "choices of hundreds of Models in any combination of 30 colors in lengths from 24" to 35" and weights from -5 for youth players to +10," so look around the
site (it's pretty overwhelming) and decide if it's worth it to you.
From X Bats:
We would extend to you the same price we offer to the 30 Major League Baseball teams and our largest national distributors. The cost is $75./bat plus $40 to ship every dozen bats (Models 2427, 73 and JR42 are $15. Additional per bat). Minimum order is 24 bats. We will make the bats for your team (s) in your colors (we offer 30+ colors for our bats, another first) and laser engrave the team name and/or player’s name on each bat. You can mix sizes, models and names in each order, all for the same price.
Minimum order: 24 bats.
Reveiws are consistantly stellar, other than price. "305 top Major League players using the X Bat, including most of the biggest names in baseball." ManRam. Say no more.
4. RLC BATS
Jimmy directed me to this site, and although I was disappointed that it wasn't "the"
RLC that I know and adore -- it was a cool find nonetheless. They do some significant sponsoring of amateur teams across the country, and they replied with a price structure and this sponsorship offer:
As far as sponsorship we give $100.00 towards bats after a team purchases at least one dozen of bats for the following year and then we add $50.00 for each additional year.
1st year no discount
2nd year $100 off
3rd year $150 off
4th year $200 off
5th year $250 off max
Let us know if we can help you further.
Thanks,
Nicole Makin
It seems like an offer of "cash" that no one else does, plus would get us listed on their
site which you know, is kinda cool. That said, if we don't see pricing in the same range as the "Major League" as listed below, even with a $100 discount next year, we would have ate that up in mark-up vs a couple of the other manufacturers.
Here's the PRICE SCHEDULE they provided, (email me for a pdf version):
TEAM BULK PRICING
This includes a free line of personalization for a team name
(IT ALSO INCLUDES THE PLAYERS NAME AS WELL)
12-23 bats any color combination, cupping, and/or length 31-34” $40/
24-47 bats any color combination, cupping, and/or length 31-34” $34./
48+ bats any color combination, cupping, and/or length 31-34” $30/
MAJOR LEAGUE PRICING
This includes the team name and player name or signature
12-23 bats black, stains, or clear cupping, and/or length 31-34” $30/
24-47 bats black, stains, or clear cupping, and/or length 31-34” $30/
48+ bats black, stains, or clear cupping, and/or length 31-34” $30/
Minimum Order: 12 bats
There really aren't any "big name" reviews online, but those who
buy it seem to like it.
Ok, so let's get this show on the road. Again -- no one HAS to buy their own bat. We will have a few "team" bats and will prolly follow the "you break it you replace it" motto . . . so you're welcome to use them as well.
Bottom line: wood bats break. Maple bats less so.
Email me with your requests, and what your top 2 or 3 choices are along with sizes, colors, etc.
Bats arrived today, you know, except . . . well, of the order placed, only Jeff Hess's Ash bat and 3 of the 4 "team" Ash bats are on back order. Then there's the little case of the misspelling of my name -- go figure. 
