The History of Louisville Slugger Before COVID-19

COVID-19 has inflicted numerous industries and their respective companies, forcing them to either reformat their business operations or lose millions in profits. One manufacturer that altered their production lines was the Louisville Slugger Company, which was forced to furlough 90% of their workforce at a 25% pay cut. This is the 1st time since World War Two that the American-established corporation has furloughed its employees. The Louisville Slugger Company produces upwards up 1.8 million bats yearly. They’ve stopped manufacturing baseball bats and moved towards medical masks.

The Louisville Slugger Company was 1st created in 1884 by Bud Hillerich, who was only seventeen at the time. He was prompted to start operations from his father’s woodshop after witnessing a baseball game with the now retired, “Louisville Eclipses”. Operations began less than two hours after having the idea in the Louisville Baseball Stadium. He requested Pete Browning if he could design and manufacturer a new bat to his specifications. Seeing the drive in this young teenage boy, Browning allowed Hillerich to create him a baseball bat. It’d end up exceeding all expectations from Pete and create a lifelong business relationship. That’s why today consumers will still see Louisville Browning Slugger baseball bats.

Since it was iteration in 1884, the Louisville Slugger Company has acquired hundreds of professional baseball players under their customized bat program. This included Derek Jeter, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, and Ken Griffey Junior. MLB Baseballers still to this date inquire with Louisville Slugger for new equipment, including the recent dominating players of Marucci and Victus.

Not Official

An unfortunate aspect with Louisville Slugger isn’t the official manufacturer for Major League Baseball. That’s Rawlings Co, which was created three years after Louisville Slugger. Rawlings Co is now owned by Major League Baseball but has found themselves continuously struggling to acquire professionals, which hasn’t been challenging for LSC. Both companies will struggle entering into the new baseball landscape after COVID-19. Cheating scandals in MLB and then the coronavirus will prompt significant declines in customer acquisition valuations, meaning lower profits and possible bankruptcy.