Museum Review: Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

What J. Frederick Hillerich started in 1856 as a woodworking shop in Louisville Kentucky, has now grown to the oldest and most recognized bat making company in the world.

The name "Louisville Slugger" was first coined back in 1884 by Pete Browning after getting three hits on a piece of white ash that was made into a bat for him by Bud Hillerich. Browning then nicknamed his bat the Louisville Slugger. As the bat making company began to grow the bat was first referred to as the "Falls City Slugger," but soon changed to the Louisville Slugger, and was registered as a trademark in 1894.

Present day, the name Hillerich & Bradsby has gained world-wide notoriety not only because it's the oldest and most prestigious bat making company in the world, but also because it displays the largest baseball bat in the world. You can also take a virtual tour at www.sluggermuseum.org to see these attractions at the museum.

The Louisville Slugger Museum is rather easy to spot on West Main Street in Louisville Kentucky, just look for the 120 foot tall baseball bat leaning against a five story building. This huge baseball bat is an exact replica of Babe Ruth's 34 inch Louisville Slugger.

In 1996 Hillerich & Bradsby Company returned the bat factory back to Louisville and moved into the new headquarters at 800 West Main Street. And now with the museum and the bat factory together, over 2 million people have enjoyed tours of both the museum and also the factory.

Over seven thousand votes were cast which named Louisville Slugger Museum one of the "7 Wonders of Louisville." This award recognizes which top historical and cultural sites are the largest attractions in the Louisville metro area. Now you can enjoy seeing some of baseball's great artifacts, and also tour the factory to observe just how Major League baseball bats are made today.

LouisvilleSluggerMuseum

Upon arriving at the Louisville Slugger Museum you can't help but notice the huge baseball bat leaning against the building, and also the giant 3 dimensional baseball ripping out of the building as if it's headed for the outfield.

One of the newest exhibits at the museum features the "Hold a piece of history" exhibit at the museum. Visitors are welcome to hold an actual "game-used" Louisville Slugger which was used by some of baseball's legends, past and present.

Other new exhibits include "Grandpa Bud's attic" where visitors can check out memorabilia such as: contracts, photographs, bats, and much more. One of the more prominent exhibits at the museum is Babe Ruth's 1927 Louisville Slugger, which was hand notched for every home run during the season. Another new exhibit at the museum is Joe DiMaggio"s bat which was used in his 56 game hitting streak in 1941.

Now that you've seen the giant bat, why not check out the giant baseball glove to go with it. This 17 ton giant prehistoric glove was crafted by Kimberly Hillerich and Albert Nelson, from a 450 million year old piece of limestone. This sculpture is entitled "play ball."

After you've gotten into the "swing" of things be ready to check out "Bud's batting cage." Visitors to the Louisville Slugger Museum are welcome to find out what's it like to swing replica bats of legends such as: Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, or Ted Williams. Hitters at the batting cage are encouraged to check out the latest line of TPS and TPX bats, baseballs, and softballs.

While at the Louisville Slugger Museum make sure to stop by the theatre for the inspiring film "The heart of the game." Get baseball tips from the pros such as: Johnny Bench, Jim Thome and many more. Enjoy the film and get insights on what the game of baseball is really about.

Make sure you take time to browse through the gift shop and bat store. Affordable prices are available on most items in the store such as: tee shirts and sweatshirts, all type of hats and sports memorabilia, and always the "bionic glove." At the store personalized Major league Louisville Slugger bats are also available along with min-bats. Whatever your preference of bat may be, Louisville Slugger has it for you.

The Bat Factory

Tours for the Louisville Slugger bat factory start at 9:00 AM. See how the bats are crafted in the same pride which was used back in 1884. After a fire severely destroyed the bat factory back in 1910, and also the damage from the 1937 flood, the bat factory still managed to survive. Hillerich merged his company with Frank Bradsby in 1916 and the company name was changed to its present status: Hillerich & Bradsby Co.

The success of the Louisville Slugger is because amateur baseball players can also purchase Major league bats, and even models of bats which their favorite players use. Louisville Slugger Bats first appeared in 1915 as a youth sized model. Then the company launched its first national advertising campaign in 1919, and in four short years was producing one million bats a year.

In 1966 the Hillerich and Bradsby bat factory was brought back to Louisville to its present location on West Main Street. The Louisville Slugger Museum is one of the city's most visited attractions, and is also housed with the company's headquarters.

Over the last 125 years no other baseball bat has logged more wins, or set more records, than the bats of the legendary Louisville Slugger. This is the bat that "turns players into legends."

So as your heading down historic West Main Street in Louisville Kentucky, look for the 120 foot tall baseball bat just casually leaning against the building as if waiting for its turn to send a fast ball right out of the park.

Admission:

Adults: (13 - 59) $10
Seniors: (60 plus) $9
Children: (6 -12) $5
(Children under five free)

Reservations can obtained by calling: 1-877-7-Slugger

Hours of operation:

Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Noon - 6:00 Pm

Contact information:

Louisville slugger Museum and factory
800 West Main Street
Louisville KY, 40202
(877) 775-8443

Sources of information:

www.sluggermuseum.org
www.wikipedia.com