Wood Baseball Bats and Billets
Red Oak - Hickory - Maple - Ash
Info@HomesteadDoors.com
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. The down-side is, you will sacrifice "pop".
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. As long as your bat speed does not drop off too much because of the extra weight.
Knobless Bats
See below model JM68 (no photo but can email one)
Here are a few of our Bat Models
All models are available in Ash, Hickory, Hard Maple or Red Oak with your choice of finish.
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Model 271 - Shown in Maple with natural laquered barrel and black laquered handle
The model 271 is probably the most popular bat in use today.
2.5" barrel, 15/16" handle with 1-7/8" diameter knob.
Model 271BB - Shown in Ash with flamed and laquered barrel - raw handle
Our model 271BB (BB=Big Barrel) is just like the ever popular model 271 but with a maximum sized 2.61" big barrel. 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 BB25 - Shown in Red Oak with boned natural barrel and black laquered handle
The model BB25 was designed and made famous by Barry Bonds. It has the huge mushroom knob with the maximum barrel diameter allowed by Major League Rules. Barry gripped up 2" but some guys don't. 2.61" barrel,
1" handle with 2.5" diameter knob. 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 and laquered barrel - raw handle
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 flamed and boned barrel - raw handle
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.
Model 243 - Not shown
The 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 243BB
Our model 243BB (BB=Big Barrel) is just like the model 243 but with a maximum sized 2.61" 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 101 - Shown in Hard Maple with stained and laquered barrel - RM stain - raw handle
Our model 101 bat has the exact same barrell as the model 100, but transitions down to a (1.037") handle at its narrowest point which makes it a little stronger and less likely to break if you get jammed. The handle tapers only slightly to the (1-15/16") diameter knob which gives it more of an aluminum bat handle feel. This bat is very top heavy, yet balanced, just like the model 100. 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 raw handle and raw barrel
This very popular model is similar to the traditional Model 271. It features a balanced feel with a slightly thicker handle (1”) and average sized barrel (2 ½”). The handle has a quick taper into a 2” knob that gives a good positive grip while also protecting the vulnerable hamate bone. Ideal for all types of hitters especially contact hitters. The gradual taper transition helps maintain strength in high stress areas to make this a great transition bat from metal to wood.
Swing weight ratio = 1
Model A10 - Shown in Ash with stained and laquered barrel - DW stain - raw handle
Our model A10 is designed off of the popular model 110. 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 slightly thicker 1” handle has a less gradual taper into the knob than the A71 as well as a ball round 2" knob that feels great. The barrel is a medium length and (2 ½”) diameter with a good hitting surface area
Swing weight ratio = 2
Model JM68 - Not shown.
Our model JM68 is a knobless bat closely copied from the bat design used by Jeff McNeil of the Mets. This bat helps take the pressure off the hamate bone in much the same manner as an axe handle bat.
Youth Bats- Not shown
Our youth bats are various models and weights designed for smaller hands and younger players.
 
Finished Bat Pricing (ready to use game bats):
Prime = Best grade, Pro Stock
Select = 2nd best grade, one level below Prime
Finished Bats
Ash Prime (Ready to use Game Bats) = $75 each plus shipping
Birch = Call for pricing
Maple Prime (Ready to use Game Bats)) = $95 each plus shipping
Maple Select (Ready to use Game Bats) = $75 each plus shipping
Oak Prime (Ready to use Game Bats) = $75 each plus shipping
Oak Select (Ready to use Game Bats) = $65 each
plus shipping
Youth Bats (Ready to use Game Bats) = $65
each
plus shipping
Fungo Bats = $65
each plus shipping
Approx shipping cost = $15 for 1 bat, $20 for 2 bats, $25 for 3 bats
Quantity Discounts !! Contact us for a quote. 419-684-5275 ask for Bob, email: Bob@Door.cc
Un-Finished Bat Pricing :
(For those who want to sand, stain and finish their own bats and apply their own trademarks):
Prime = Best grade, Pro Stock
Select = 2nd best grade, one level below Prime
Un-Finished Bats
Ash Prime (Un-finished Game Bats) = $49 each plus shipping
Birch = Call for pricing
Maple Prime (Un-finished Game Bats) = $69 each plus shipping
Maple Select (Un-finished Game Bats) = $49 each plus shipping
Oak Prime (Un-finished Game Bats) = $49 each plus shipping
Oak Select (Un-finished Game Bats) = $39 each plus shipping
Youth Bats Mixed Grade (Un-finished Game Bats) = $39
each plus shipping
Approx shipping cost = $15 for 1 bat, $20 for 2 bats, $25 for 3 bats
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 (Billets Only) = $32 each plus shipping
Birch = call for pricing
Maple Prime (Billets Only) = $38 each plus shipping
Maple Select (Billets Only) = $32 each plus shipping
Hickory Mixed Grade (Billets Only) = $25 each plus shipping
Approx shipping cost = $20 for 1 billet, $25 for 2 billets, $30 for 3 billets
Quantity Discounts !! Contact us for a quote. 419-684-5275 ask for Bob, email: Bob@Door.cc
Current Inventory
Billets:
(247) Prime Ash
(2.78" dia. x 37" long)
(28) Prime Hard Maple (2.78" dia. x 37" long)
(55) Select Hard Maple
(2.78" dia. x 37" long)
(20) Mixed Grade Hickory Billets
(2.78" dia. x 36" long)
(20) Prime and Select Ash
(2.78" dia. x 31" long for kids bats)
Finished Game Bats:
Model 271 (2) 32" Maple Select, (2) 33" Maple Select, (5) 34" Maple Select, (1) 33" Birch Select
Model 271BB (1) 33.5" Maple Select, (3) 34" Ash Prime
Model 243 (2)
33" Maple Select , (3) 34" Maple Select
Model 243BB (1) 34" Maple Select,
(1) 34" Ash Prime
Model 100 (3) 33" Ash Prime, (1) 34" Ash Prime, (3) 34" Maple Select , (1) 32" Oak Select
(5) 34" Oak Select
Model BB25 (1) 33" Maple Select
Model AP5
(2) 34" Maple Select
Model A71 (1) 32" Ash Prime, (1) 33" Ash Prime, (1) 33" Maple Select
Model A10 (3) 33" Ash Prime, (3) 33" Maple Select
Model 101 (1) 32"Ash Prime,(1) 32.5" Maple Select, (1) 33" Maple Select
Youth Bats (1) 32" x 29oz Oak, (1) 32" x 22 oz Ash, (1) 30" x 24 oz Maple, (1) 30" x 27 oz Oak
Fungo (1) 35" Oak
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
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.
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
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.
However, there are no restriction's (other than barrel size) on Ash or Birch because it doesn't splinter and blow up like Maple.
Testimonials
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 Bob’s. Just what I wanted and Bob’s 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
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