WWW.GLOVE-WORKS.COM BASEBALL GLOVE COLLECTOR FORUM

Baum's stopped production recently and is looking for a buyer for it's production equipment... That's why they've skyrocketed in price, because they ain't makin' em...

Metal/composite bats will NEVER go away in NCAA...

"LSU's contract with coach Paul Mainieri lists $275,000 in supplemental pay for Mainieri through equipment contracts..."

LSU

Company: Wilson

Length of contract: 4 years (through June 30, 2016)

Annual compensation: LSU receives $275,000

Bonuses: None are specifically outlined for team performance. LSU's contract with coach Paul Mainieri lists $275,000 in supplemental pay for Mainieri through equipment contracts. The Wilson contract stipulates Mainieri is a Wilson advisory staff member and receives $10,000 worth of Wilson merchandise each year.

Free products: 80 DeMarini bats; 30 wood composite bats; 1,500 camp T-shirts; 192 wristbands; 12 golf shirts; 252 pairs of batting gloves; 60 fielding gloves; 36 helmets; 60 travel bags with wheels; 8 sets of catchers gear and helmet; 12 ball buckets; 10 dozen ATEC dimple balls; 45 player bags; 8 fungo bats; 4 skull caps; 24 dozen SCB baseballs; 4 sets of youth catchers gear and helmet; 2 youth bats. The total products are valued at $115,000 per year.

Promotional rights: LSU grants Wilson the right to use its team images to promote any product, pending approval by LSU. Wilson is the title sponsor of one event annually at LSU. Wilson holds a "Glove Day" sales event at LSU. Wilson can use LSU's baseball field at least once a year for mutually agreeable uses for no less than four hours. LSU will prominently display Wilson, DeMarini and/or ATEC banners at all baseball functions. Wilson gets a half-page ad in LSU's program. Mainieri makes at least one promotional appearance a year for Wilson.

Contract restrictions: Coaches and players are required to exclusively use Wilson/DeMarini products in practices, games and public appearances "to the extent permitted by the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA." Mainieri said in this promotional video for DeMarini bats that he allowed the players to choose which bat company to use.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013 ... t_493.html

So basically, the good old days are back again. The new bats have teeny sweet spots. Last fall my boy played in a league where you could use the -5, BBCOR-3, or wood. Every time a -5 came to bat the catcher made a signal and the OF all moved 50-75 feet further back, depending on the size of batter. On top of that, the Trampoline effect difference is massive between the -5 and the -3. The balls rocket back to the infield . Wood and -3 behave virtually the same... Maybe a slight edge to the metal/ graphite.