6910 CO. RD. 249
VICKERY, OH  43464
419-684-5275

Wood Baseball Bats and Billets

Ash - Birch - Hickory - Maple - Red Oak

Bob@HomesteadDoors.com

Custom Bats are Our Specialty:
Just send us your favorite bat and we will make an exact copy of it. (NO SET-UP FEES)
Save your broken bats:
Broken bats will work as patterns as long as they are complete, still in 1 piece and not broken too badly.
If we send you a UPS label the cost to ship us your broken or unbroken, favorite bat would be $15. If you don't have UPS pickup at your location, you would have to drop off at a UPS drop off point.

Finished bats include our secret finish and hardening process that makes ash as hard as maple and maple even harder.

Here are a few of our Bat Models
All models are available in Ash, Birch and Hard Maple.
Most bat styles are available up to 36" long. *Hickory or *Red Oak may not be available all the time.

Model 271 - Shown in Ash with orange stained barrel and handle  Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED
This traditional model 271 is probably the most popular bat in use today. 2.5" tapered barrel, 15/16" handle with 1-7/8" diameter knob.

Model C271 - Shown in Ash with orange stained barrel and black stained handle  Weight rating: BALANCED
The model C271 has the standard 271 handle and knob with a smaller 2.4" tapered barrel. This allows us to use a dense billet to make -3 weights.

Model BR271 - Shown in Ash with red stained barrel and natural handle.   Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED

The model BR271 has a 271 handle and knob with a Babe Ruth barrel. 2.5" long barrel, 15/16" handle with 1-15/16" diameter knob. Great design for the player who likes to use long bats.

Model 271BB (BIG BARREL) - Shown in Ash with flamed barrel and natural handle   Weight rating: END LOADED

Our model 271BB is has the same handle and knob as the traditional 271 but has a max 2.61" barrel and a longer hitting surface with less taper. If you like an end loaded bat with extreme pop and a flared handle then this is the bat for you. 15/16" handle with 1-7/8" diameter knob. Because of the large barrell diameter, this bat style is only available as a -0 weight drop or greater.



Model A71 - Shown in Hard Maple with natural handle and barrel     Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED
This model is similar to the traditional Model 271 but has a thicker handle.  It features a balanced feel with a 1" thick handle and 2-1/2"barrel.
For the player who has large hands and likes a thicker handle.

Model BB25 - Shown in Red Oak with natural barrel and black stained handle Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED
The model BB25 was designed and made famous by Barry Bonds. It has the huge 2.5" mushroom knob with 2.5" diameter barrel and 1" handle. Barry gripped up 2" but some guys don't. Because of the large barrell diameter, this bat style is only available as a -0 weight drop or greater.

Model 100 - Shown in Ash with flamed barrel  and natural handle    Weight rating: ENDLOADED
This end loaded bat has the largest legal diameter barrel available at (2.61”) at its widest point. It has a roughly 5 ” hitting surface before quickly transitioning down to a thin (15/16”) handle at its narrowest point. This bat is very top heavy, yet balanced, and is best suited for the experienced power hitter who likes to wrap their bottom finger around the knob which is only (1.8") diameter. Because of the large barrell diameter, this bat style is only available as a -0 weight drop or greater.

Model AP5 - Shown in Ash with natural barrel and handle    Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED
This is the bat style that Albert Pujols uses. It is a combination of a 243 knob with a 271 flared handle, similar to a 110 with a long hitting surface.

Model 243 - Shown in Ash with natural handle and flamed barrel     Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED

This traditional model 243 is probably the 2nd most popular bat in use today. 2.5" barrel, 15/16" handle with 1-7/8" diameter knob.

Model 243SB (SMALL BARREL) - Shown in Ash with natural handle, black stripe and gray stained barrel    Weight rating: BALANCED

Same 243 knob and handle but with a smaller 2.4" diameter barrel. Allows us to use a denser billet to make -3 weights.

Model 243BB (BIG BARREL)-Shown in Hard Maple with gray stained handle, natural stripe and black barrel   Weight rating: ENDLOADED
Our model 243BB is just like the model 243 but with a maximum sized 2.60" big barrel. If you like an end loaded bat with extreme pop and a 243 handle then this is the bat for you. 15/16" handle with 1-7/8" diameter knob. Because of the large barrell diameter, this bat style is only available as a -0 weight drop or greater.

Model B455 - Shown in Maple with Natural finish barrel and handle     Weight rating: BALANCED

The long taper on the barrel allows for a dense billet to be used and still keep the overall weight of the bat relatively light.  It features a balanced feel with a 15/16" handle and 2.5" barrell.

Model A10 - Shown in Ash with DW stained barrel and natural handle with black stained stripe   Weight rating: BALANCED

Our model A10 is designed off of the popular model 110 but with a thicker 1" handle. This is one of the best transition bats from metal to wood. It is also a great bat for the seasoned hitter who is looking for balance and durability. The barrel is a medium length and (2 ½”) diameter with a good hitting surface area. If you have large hands, but are not particulaly strong, you should like this bat.

Model JM68 Knobless - Shown in Maple with natural handle and barrel    Weight rating: MEDIUM ENDLOADED

Our model JM68 is a knobless bat closely copied from the bat design used by Jeff McNeil of the Mets. Roberto Clemente also used a bat similar to this. This bat helps take the pressure off the hamate bone in much the same manner as an axe handle bat and without the knob restricting your swing,you should be able to generate significant more bat speed. I know I do.

Model Babe Ruth Style - Shown in Ash with vintage stained handle and barrel    Weight rating: ENDLOADED

Our Babe Ruth style bat is a very close replica of his actual bat, which was 36" long. 2" knob, 1" diameter handle and 2-1/2" diameter barrel. Because of the large barrell diameter, this bat style is only available as a -0 weight drop or greater.

Youth Bats - Shown in Ash with gray stained barrel with natural stripe and gray stained barrel   Weight rating: BALANCED
Our youth bats are various models, lengths and weights designed for smaller hands and younger players. Lengths from 24" to 30" and weights from -7 to -1.

Finished Bat Pricing (ready to use game bats):

Prime = Best grade, Pro Stock
Select = 2nd best grade, one level below Prime
Natural Finished Bats with no stain (includes our secret finish and hardening process)
Ash Prime (Ready to use Game Bats with natural finish)   = $69 each plus shipping
Birch Prime (Ready to use Game Bats with natural finish) = $99 each plus shipping
Birch Select (Ready to use Game Bats with natural finish) = $79 each plus shipping
Maple Prime (Ready to use Game Bats with natural finish) = $99 each plus shipping
Maple Select (Ready to use Game Bats with natural finish) = $79 each plus shipping
Ash Youth Bats 30" or less (Ready to use Game Bats)   = $69 each plus shipping
Fungo Bats (Ash)    = $69 each plus shipping
(Add $5 per bat for single color stain on barrel or handle or both)
(Add $10 per bat for multi-color stains and/or stripes)
(Add $10 per bat for flaming barrel on ash bats)
(Add $7.50 per bat for a custom name on the barrel up to 10 letters)
(Add $10 per bat for a custom name on the barrel over 10 letters)
(Add $5 per bat for full cup on end)
(Add $10 per bat for additional 2 coats of Arm-R-Seal polyurethane on barrel)
Shipping cost = $17 for 1 bat, $23 for 2 or 3 bats, $28 for 4 or 5 bats, multiples of 5 is most economical
Quantity Discounts !! Contact us for a quote. 419-684-5275 ask for Bob,    email:   Bob@Door.cc

Un-Finished Bat Pricing with ends left on:
(For those who want to sand, stain and finish your own bats and apply your own trademarks):
(You don't have to have a lathe, but it makes it much easier)

Prime = Best grade, Pro Stock
Select = 2nd best grade, one level below Prime
Un-Finished Bats
Ash Prime (Un-finished Game Bats)   = $54 each plus shipping
Maple Prime (Un-finished Game Bats) = $84 each plus shipping
Maple Select (Un-finished Game Bats) = $64 each plus shipping
Birch Prime = (Un-finished Game Bats) = $84 each plus shipping
Birch Select= (Un-finished Game Bats) = $64 each plus shipping
Ash Youth Bats 30" or less Mixed Grade (Un-finished Game Bats)    = $49 each plus shipping
Shipping cost = $17 for 1, $23 for 2, $28 for 3 or 4, multiples of 4 is most economical
Quantity Discounts !! Contact us for a quote. 419-684-5275 ask for Bob,    email:   Bob@Door.cc

Billet Pricing (for those who want to turn their own bats):

Prime = Best grade, Pro Stock
Select = 2nd best grade, one level below Prime
Billets Only
Ash Prime (80 to 99 ounces) (Billets Only)  = $39 each plus shipping
Birch Prime (90 to 99 ounces) (Billets Only) = $45 each plus shipping
Maple Prime (90 to 99 ounces) (Billets Only) = $49 each plus shipping
Maple Select (90 to 99 ounces) (Billets Only) = $39 each plus shipping
Hickory Economy (mixed weights) (Billets Only) = $30 each plus shipping
Hickory Prime 100+ ounces (Billets Only) = $43 each plus shipping
Hickory Prime 90-99 ounces (Billets Only) = $55 each plus shipping
Hickory Select 100+ ounces (Billets Only) = $37 each plus shipping
Hickory Select 90-99 ounces (Billets Only) = $50 each plus shipping

Shipping cost = $17 for 1 billet, $28 for 2, 3 or 4 billets, multiples of 4 is most economical

Call 419-684 -5275 ask for Bob,    email:   Bob@Door.cc

Handle and knob closeups:

Model AP5

Model 271

Model BB25




Model 100



Model 243

Model 271

Model JM68 Knobless (not shown)

Come to our facility and try out any bat on our state of the art pitching machine before buying it
       Our state of the art pitching machine has been in place since 2005. There is a video of a real pitcher winding up and throwing as the ball simaltaneously appears through a hole in the screen just at the proper time. This is a realistic as it gets. We use rubber balls and bat sleeves so the bats don't break or get damaged while you are trying them out.
       If the weather is nice you can even hit on our full size field which has the same dimensions as Old Tiger Stadium. Follow this link for directions to our facility.   http://www.homesteadhardwoods.com/map.html

                 Arial view of  Grays Field and Bat Shop

Bat Weights
We weigh and mark the bat weight and the original billet weight on the barrel end of the bat. Billet weights will range from 85 ounces to 100 ounces. The higher the number, the denser the wood is. So if you have a bat that has 30/92 marked on the barrel end, that would mean that the weight of the bat, right after turning, is 30 ounces and the weight of the billet that was used to make the bat was 92 ounces. This would be a pretty dense piece of lumber. Billet weights under 85 ounces are not allowed in the pros, because they would be very prone to breakage. Where you store your finished bat, could also affect its current weight by + or - of up to 2 ounces of variance. So if your 30 ounce bat weighs 29 ounces after a month of use, you are probably leaving the bat in the trunk of your car where the temperatures can be very warm and dry. If your 30 ounce bat now weighs 32 ounces, you are probably experiencing very humid weather conditions or you added a grip to your handle or both. Something to keep in mind, if you want a big barrel but also a -3 bat weight, a lighter weight billet will have to be used to make it. Whereas, if you don't mind a little smaller barrel, you can get a much denser bat and still have a  -3.

Balanced Bats

  A balanced bat means that the weight of the bat is spread out more evenly over the entire length of the bat, as opposed to being end loaded where a larger % of the weight is in the barrel.

  The upside of using a balanced bat is that you will have more bat control and will be able to "check you swing" more easily and should be able to generate more bat speed.

End Loaded Bats

  An end loaded bat means just that, a larger percentage of the overall bat weight is on the barrel end.

  The down-side of using an end loaded bat is that you will have less bat control to "check your swing". The up-side is that you will get significantly more "pop" at the point of contact on the sweet spot, providing your bat speed does not drop off too much because of the extra weight.

Knobless Bats


Robert Clemente's knobless bat above. If you are one of those guys who is never quite comfortable with a knob, try this knobless style bat.
It will free up your swing immensely and should increase your bat speed substantially. It will also eliminate hamate bone injuries and that
nagging blister you get from the knob. Once you go KNOBLESS you may never go back to a traditional bat again.

Interesting baseball video clips

Slow motion video of a major league baseball hitting a wood bat at 180mph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlEIybC7rU

Wiffle ball pitcher striking out a Major League Baseball Player:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arlWwQ_smnM

Heavy Bats

Here is a list of players from the past that used heavy bats during their careers:

Babe Ruth :  36" x 42 oz                                    Joe Jackson: 34.5" x 40 oz         
Mo Vaughn: 36" x 36 oz                                    Ty Cobb: 34.5" x 38 oz
Lou Gehrig: 36" x 41oz                                      Ruben Sierra: 34.5" x 36 oz
Honus Wagner: 33" x 38 oz                               Roberto Clemente: 35" x 36 oz
Alfonso Soriano: 35" x 36 oz                             Frank Howard: 37" x 35 oz
Julio Franco: 35" x 36 oz                                   Bobby Bonds: 35" x 37 oz
Dick Allen: 36" x 40 oz                                     Joe DiMaggio: 35" x 42 oz

These players figured out on their own that a heavy bat would give them extra distance and power.
This was confirmed scientifically in 1991 by engineers Terry Bahill and William Karnavas who developed
the "Bat Chooser". Laser beams were used to measure bat speed and players were given 8 succeedingly heavier bats to swing. The idea was to find the players optimum bat weight where his bat speed did not drop enough to effect the extra power obtained by using a heavier bat. They found that on average, 40 oz was the optimum bat weight for a Major League player.

Bat weight vs Bat speed vs Bat control

The average bat used in the Majors today is 34" long and weighs 32 oz.
So why don't todays players use heavier bats?

The main reason todays players prefer lightweight bats is probably because they grew up using lightweight aluminum bats. That is what they are used to. More bat control and ease of checking your swing is an advantage of using a lighter bat, but I believe that Major League power hitters are not be reaching their full potential because they are afraid to use a heavier bat. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Bat weight vs Swing weight and Long Bats

A 32 oz end loaded bat will swing "heavier" than a 32 oz small barrelled bat because the center of gravity is farther away from the handle on the end loaded bat. With all things being equal, you will be able to hit the ball harder "farther" with an end loaded bat. In other words, if you can swing the end loaded bat at the same bat speed as the small barrelled bat, the ball will come off the end loaded bat at a higher mph which directly correlates to more distance if hit at the proper trajectory.

Did you know that the bat speed of a 36" bat is about 4 mph faster than the bat speed of a 32" bat when swung at the same speed (as measured at the sweet spot). So, don't  be afraid to experiment. On days when you are feeling exceptionally strong, go ahead and try a longer bat and see what happens.

For those of you who don't like to grip up, I have found that the swing weight of a 33" x 37oz is about the same as the swing weight of a 34" x 35.5oz, which is about the same as the swing weight of a 35" x 34oz, which is about the same as the swing weight of a 36" x 32.5oz. In other words, if the bat style you use is the same for each suceeding length, and you grip each bat at the same place on the handle, you would need to subtract 1.5oz of weight off the bat for each inch of length that is added to get approximately the same swing weight. If you don't mind gripping up, you can adjust the swing weight of any bat, simply by gripping up higher or lower on the same bat, which is what Pete Rose did. Most ball players already know this, especially the old-timers.

Pete Rose on plate adjustments and grip adjustments
He used 35"- 36" , 32-33 ounce bats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yae1KxRSq0g

How these Hall of Famers developed powerful bat momentum with heavy bats
Babe Ruth, Dick Allen (not inducted yet), Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds (not inducted yet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whtQ4q14SMU

Dick Allen interview on how he came to use giant bats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEq3sy6xTHs

MLB 2011 Maple bat restrictions has changed bat design
In 2011, MLB banned the use of any maple bat that wasn't made from an 85 oz. or greater billet. They did this because big barrel thin handle bats were blowing up and splintering because they required light weight billets to make them.  The lighter the billet weight the less dense the wood is. Most MLB maple bats today are made from 87/88 oz billets to achieve the weight ratio to make the largest size barrel MLB approves.  Smart players go with slightly smaller barrel's with longer tapers using 90-92 oz billets because they are more dense and stats have proven balls are driven further and faster using these types of bats so bat maker's spent a lot of time developing model's in this range.  
There are no billet weight restriction's (other than barrel size)  on Ash, because it doesn't splinter and blow up like Maple. However, the same rule applies, the heavier the billet, the denser the bat. So don't expect any bat made from billets that are lighter than 85 ounces, to last very long.

Proper bat grip for maximum bat speed
by Don Mattingly

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=don+mattingly+how+to+grip+bat#kpvalbx=_2FIsXsawCtmxytMPkIOD-AY24

What happens to a baseball when it hits a steel plate at over 1000 miles per hour ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqidD7kVnxY

Worlds longest homerun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_F9CxSmGOM

Bryce Harpers 36" x 47 ounce practice bat
https://www.natsenquirer.com/2011/02/bryce-harper-swinging-the-biggest-bat-on-earth.html

Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Joe Jackson Replica Bats - interesting and humorous article

http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/offbase/050726&num=0

How to hit the high fastball

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=how+to+hit+the+high+fastball#kpvalbx=_CXBxYbPKEoulytMPyOC_8AQ35

Maintenance Free Pitchers Mound for under $200 in materials and a couple hours of labor. 
(Will save you dozens of hours of work over the course of a season and your pitchers will love it )
Groundskeepers will tell you that the hardest and most time consuming part of taking care of a baseball field is taking
care of the pitchers mound. How would you like to learn how to build an almost completely maintenance free pitchers
mound that looks and feels like a regular clay mound, but without all of the backbreaking maintenance.
Sound too good to be true ? You won't believe how easy this is. To get my time tested groundskeeping secret,
all you have to do is order 5 wood bats from us, and I will send you complete instructions.

Why bat barrel diameter is not that important:
As you can see from the diagram below, the area of the bat where you need to hit the ball for hard contact, is exactly the same for a maximum diameter bat as it is for
a smaller diameter bat. This is why Joe Jackson had no problem posting a lifetime .356 batting average with his 2-3/8" diameter barrel, Black Betsy bat and Babe Ruth
hit 714 lifetime homeruns with 2-1/2" diameter bats during his career.

The only thing a max barrel bat does for you, is it may turn a few more swing and misses into foul tips over the course of your career 
(most of which will be foul tip strike outs anyway). The flip side of that though, is you will pop out more. So it would be a wash.

Testimonials

Bob, 
Received my bats yesterday. They are so gorgeous I don't want to use them! 
I'm going to greatly enjoy experimenting with these various weights and sizes.
Can't wait to demonstrate the Babe Ruth equivalent size bat to our HS kids! It's a great training bat but I'm hoping a few of the stronger kids will learn they can handle a much bigger bat.
I suspect I'll be wanting a few more by X-mass.

Thanks again,
Tom

Bob, I received the bats today and they are Perfect. Feel great! Thanks so much. These are my Christmas gift to myself. :)Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Chris

Bob, I received the bats and used them Tuesday night. Outstanding workmanship. You took my description of what I was looking for and turned out bats exactly as I hoped. The ball jumps off the barrel. The weight distro on a 143 model has always been my favorite but you can’t just go buy a 143 at a store or the normal online places. You are now my one and only bat provider moving forward. You’ve now made bats for 3 of us on one of my teams, I’m guessing you’ll be hearing from other guys in the lineup soon.

Joe

I received the bats today. They are really nice.  They both feel great. Thinking I like the A10 a little more but I do like the handle on the A71 so we'll see which has the most hits in it. Although I'm almost reluctant to use them they look so good. I really like the finish on them. Impressive work.

Thanks again,

Vince

Mr Gray, Wanted to give you a shout out to say the 32/34 271 you recently made for me is the best bat I've ever owned. Not sure if its the nature of the bat exactly, or my ever changing hitting philosophy, but its accompanied me to a way better batting average! 
Thanks!
Christopher

Bob - Great job on the bats. I swung both of mine and swung my buddies.  Just what I wanted and he is going to love his.  I like having the weight marked on the end of the barrel.  Really appreciate your quick turnaround as we’re winding our way down to the important final games of the season.
Thanks again.  We’ll be in touch.
Tom

The bats are beautifully crafted. We took them out for a test drive and they are incredible. Yesterday I used mine in a game for the first time and absolutely crushed the ball. The bat is so well balanced and comfortable to swing. Everyone on our team was very interested in it. At least two of our teammates have said they intend to order from you. We're even considering a field trip some day to your facility....a great excuse to get away for a guy's weekend. Thanks Again
Bob

Hi Bob,
Wanted to let you know I received my bats yesterday. Beautiful work! Given all the variables that go into the making of each bat this appears 
to be as much art as science. I noted the billet and overall weights of each and have taken some dry cuts. I'm very pleased with the three 
original model bats I ordered but the big surprise was the BR 271. I didn't expect you to bring it in at this weight given the Ruth barrel size. 
This thing looks like the ultimate rocket launcher! Given the thinner handle I'm holding it out until springtime but I suspect this might be my 
model in the future. Will shall see.

Thanks again for your artistry!
Tom