Louisville Sluggers Museum and Factory Tour

 August 12, 2024

Grandma'a RV Camping site 2

Shepherdsville, Ky

Momma said one of the reasons we stopped here was to cross off an item on Pam's bucket list.  The Louisville Slugger Museum is just north of us.  Things weren't looking too promising as we observed the northbound traffic on I-65 that was at a crawl while eating breakfast this morning.  The decision was made to leave 30 minutes earlier than originally planned in order to make sure we arrived for our tour ticket time.

As it turned out, that was a smart decision as we traveled the first 3 miles in 30 minutes which put us back on our original schedule as we broke free of the gridlock and zipped our way to Main and 8th where we scored street parking.  There was no question about being at the right location.  The bat marks the spot.

We took advantage of the movie shown in the theatre that covered the arrival of the huge bat in 1996.  34 tons of bat constructed of metal but designed to appear as if made from wood, measuring 120 feet.

The tour of the factory let us observe the process of bat creation beginning with a video showing the selection and felling of trees that meet the criteria established for bats.  The trees are debarked and cut into shortened logs before arriving at the factory as explained by our tour guide.

Billets are now turned on an automated lathe so what once took 30 minutes by hand, now takes 45 seconds.

Hillerich and Bradsby Company (1856) originally produced bed posts and spindles.

Color and labeling completes the process.

Of course professional bats for players are created to the specific specifications of the player.  

The gang decided to grab lunch before departing Louisville so that meant by dinner time, a trip to Dairy Queen was in order.  Less than a mile away as the crow flies, it was a convenient choice.

The donkeys came up to the end of the field near the campground to bid us farewell, as we depart tomorrow and head further north.

I'm hoping for green grass and a play area.  Dad said he empathized with me and my poor situation here, but it is what it is ...and suck it up!!  I told him one of those frosted chocolate jumbo cookies might make me feel better and he said, "No way, girl!!"  Something about chocolate, my girlish figure, and more for him.  

I'm Chloe