Maybe your MLB team isn’t postseason-worthy this year. Maybe you are looking for good, clean family entertainment that won’t break the bank. Maybe the quality of baseball played during the NCAA Men’s College World Series blew you away, and you’re ready for more. No matter your circumstances, collegiate summer wood-bat baseball season offers everyone a slice of cherished nostalgic American Pie. Now’s the time to check one out before the season wraps in mid-August.In an era dominated by high-tech equipment and multimillion-dollar contracts, there's something undeniably captivating about the simplicity and authenticity of amateur baseball in the small towns &amp; venues of the collegiate wood bat circuits. At Delano Bat Company, we celebrate the enduring love for the game, the crack of wood bats, and the remarkable stories that unfold on these hallowed fields.Collegiate wood bat leagues can be found literally coast-to-coast - from the famed <a href="https://www.capecodbaseball.org/">Cape Cod League</a>, to the <a href="https://www.prospectleague.com/landing/index">Prospect League</a> in the midwest, and even the <a href="http://alaskabaseballleague.org/view/alaskabaseballleague/">Alaska Baseball League</a>. As a player there are many reasons to be excited by collegiate summer ball, but as a fan, there are just as many reasons to check out a local league game this summer. Here are just a few:The Rustic Charm of Wood Bats:We may be a bit biased here, but in an age where composite and aluminum bats reign supreme outside of the MLB, the use of solid wood bats evokes a sense of tradition and reverence. Almost 100% of collegiate summer leagues use wood bats. Wood bats have a connection to baseball's roots, and the challenges they pose to hitters, especially college-aged players honing their skills, makes for exciting baseball. From the distinctive sound of a solid connection to the feel of the wood in hand, there's an undeniable allure that takes us back to a bygone era.Legends of the Past and Rising Stars:Summer leagues in small towns have been the breeding ground for remarkable talents who have gone on to make their mark in the big leagues. Summer baseball is the key to success for college players who want to get drafted and move on to the professional ranks, especially those who play in small market schools, but even for newly minted MCWS champions like Josh Pearson &amp; Ty Floyd, who’ve played in the Cape Cod League and <a href="https://www.appyleague.com/">Appalachian League</a>, respectfully. The stories of legendary players who emerged from humble beginnings, leaving an indelible imprint on the game make each league a study in player development. While the stats vary by league, each wood bat league boasts of numerous (sometimes hundreds) alumni who’ve gone on to play professionally. The roster ranges from HOF-ers like Mike Schmidt &amp; Kirby Pucket who both played in the Prospect League as well as current stars like Jacob deGrom (<a href="http://floridaleague.com/view/fcsl">Florida Collegiate Summer League</a>) or Aaron Judge (Cape Cod League), and even members of the Philadelphia Phillies’ “Daycare” like Alec Bohm and Nick Maton, who both played in the <a href="https://coastalplain.com/">Coastal Plain League</a>). A nearby wood bat league game may just showcase the next rising stars who embody the dream of playing baseball at its purest form.Americana at its Finest:Small towns are the heart and soul of baseball, where close-knit communities gather to support their local teams. The passion and dedication of players, coaches, and fans who come together to create a vibrant atmosphere are the fabric of the tradition and sentiment of baseball. Imagine those hot summer nights illuminated by stadium lights of intimate ballparks. Meet fellow fans at post-game gatherings at the local diner or bar. Enjoy the creativity of homemade banners and the vibrant cheers, all without the exorbitant ticket prices and secondary market mark-ups. Almost feels like a scene from a Rockwell illustration. The Enduring Bonds:Collegiate summer leagues foster connections that transcend the game itself. The “boys of summer” forge lifelong friendships on these fields, and these baseball bonds have profound impact on the lives of players and fans alike. This sentiment has even been captured in books and movies such as <a href="https://baseballroundtable.com/the-last-best-league-coming-of-age-in-the-cape-cod-league/">The Last Best League: One Summer, One Season, One Dream</a>, or rom-com <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234829/?ref_=tt_urv">Summer Catch</a>. It's not just a game; it's a shared journey that connects generations and instills a sense of belonging in these close-knit communities.So if you love the game, if you were wow’d by the level of play during the NCAA Men’s College World Series, or if you are just looking for a fun family-friendly night out, be sure to check out a collegiate wood bat league game this summer. Enjoy the nostalgia and purity of a game simply played for the love it - these are amateurs looking for wood bat experience, continued development, some MLB visibility and some good ‘ole fun. So, grab a glove, a box of Cracker Jack and head out to a local game or even hit one up while traveling this summer. Here are a few links to help find a collegiate league and team near you.<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Summer_Collegiate_Baseball">https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Summer_Collegiate_Baseball</a><a href="https://baseballnearyou.com/blog/best-collegiate-summer-baseball-leagues/">https://baseballnearyou.com/blog/best-collegiate-summer-baseball-leagues/</a>

Collegiate summer baseball is not only great wood-bat training for elite players, but also a nostalgic summer tradition and family-friendly entertainment

Maybe your MLB team isn’t postseason-worthy this year.  Maybe you are looking for good, clean family entertainment that won’t break the bank. Maybe the quality of baseball played during the NCAA Men’s College World Series blew you away, and you’re ready for more.  No matter your circumstances, collegiate summer wood-bat baseball season offers [...]

Summer Wood Bat Season: Nostalgia of Small Town Ball with Big League Promise

April 22 is Earth Day, and it’s a day to remember that this Earth is the only planet we have, at least until Elon Musk figures out that whole travel-to-Mars thing. In the meantime, as we celebrate our mother-ship on this special day, let’s recognize that we can all take some action to help solve climate change and other environmental issues. Small baby steps can add up to big benefits for the planet as a whole.Delano Bat Company ensures our supply of wood billets is responsibly sourced, and we continue to explore &amp; utilize the most environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes we can. We pledge to be mindful of the impact that our choices and actions have on the planet, and we hope to encourage others to do the same. For example, what can you do to up-cycle or recycle those old baseball bats you have laying around? We did a little research, and pulled together a few ideas. Some ideas are simple, some are elaborate, but all of them are opportunities to give old bats new life (and perhaps create a great conversation piece while you’re at it): DONATE! There are wonderful organizations that outfit under-resourced communities with sports equipment to ensure an equitable youth-sports experience regardless of player means. Delano is looking to partner with one of these organizations when we launch our FZN Series of products to help customers with the donation process, but until then, here are few links:<a href="https://www.levelingtheplayingfield.org/">Leveling the Playing Field</a><a href="https://pifbs.org/for-donors/donate-equipment/">Pitch-in for Baseball &amp; Softball</a><a href="https://www.abca.org/ABCA/ABCA/Partners/Turn_Two_for_Youth.aspx?hkey=16fd42e3-1fef-49a3-ab23-9b10665e45cd">Turn Two for Youth</a>Sell it&nbsp; &nbsp;Amazing how some bats retain value. Look to eBay or local marketplaces to sell your bat to a new generation of baller. The 2020 Meta still fetches a pretty penny, and one of Babe Ruth’s bats just sold at auction for $1.85MM - how’s that for value retention. WWOD? (What would Ohtani Do?) The Japanese effort to conserve aodamo ash, traditionally used in Japan for baseball bats, led the CEO (and former baseball player) of a chopsticks manufacturer to create&nbsp;<a href="https://hamon-japan.com/products/kattobashi-chopsticks-up-cycled-from-used-baseball-bats#">kattobashi</a>,&nbsp;chopsticks made from old and broken bats. The name is a mashup of the Japanese words for chopstick and a baseball chant that means “get a big hit”. You may not be interested in whittling your own spork, but it is a cool way to impact the planet and save some trees.Make it “Bedder”&nbsp; Who knew there were so many ways to up-cycle bats into furniture - wood, alloy, composite - all can be used to make things like&nbsp;<a href="https://thespotteddoor.com/products/baseball-bat-log-rocking-chair">chairs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z91IEW6cIEc/TupsBTI7EHI/AAAAAAAAEUc/al8w3q4SLuM/s1600/DSC04320+%25281%2529.jpg">tables</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3a/37/5d/3a375d2c3246c0d978ed0a040c6637de.jpg">lamps</a> and even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/400524195/grand-slam-full-size-baseball-bed-2?epik=dj0yJnU9RDhLQmJSdnFzaEZtSHVEdFhyR19GMXJfeWFzUVdoNHkmcD0wJm49NTBWbEh5cDRrUDEyRm5BSHpSc25qQSZ0PUFBQUFBR1F2QWJn">beds</a> - whatever the imagination can dream up. Here is one of our favorites…&nbsp;<img src="/product_images/uploaded_images/baseball-bat-bench.jpeg" style="width: 164px;">Say I DO How many marriage proposals happen at the ballpark on the jumbo-tron? Why not seal the deal with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/baseball_bat_ring">wedding bands</a> made from recycled baseball bats? "Introducing, for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs. October"Mugshot Some ballparks sell beer in mugs made from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/baseball_bat_mug">baseball bat barrels</a>, so why not try it yourself? Or use parts of the bat to make a <a href="https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/mlb-game-used-baseball-bat-bottle-openers">bottle opener</a> for the pre-game tailgate, or slice up your wood bat into coasters. Get Crafty&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=decore+made+from+baseball+bats&amp;ref=search_bar">Etsy</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=crafts%20made%20from%20baseball%20bats&amp;rs=typed">Pinterest</a> are a homerun when looking for unique crafts &amp; creative ideas. We love this coat rack idea. Every gamer needs a good place to hang their hat(s).<img src="/product_images/uploaded_images/baseball-bat-rack-etsy-.jpeg" style="width: 166px;">Stay Scrappy Got some old aluminum bats? Look for a <a href="https://iscrapapp.com/">local scrap yard</a> - you can get some cash and the bats will be melted down and reused, keeping them out of the landfill. That’s a walk-off win for team Earth.Hopefully there is an idea here that sparks some others in you. Feel free to share. Any small step is a positive action you can take to help maintain our home field advantage in this fight against climate change.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to recycle and reuse baseball bats to help the environment and keep them out of landfills

April 22 is Earth Day, and it’s a day to remember that this Earth is the only planet we have, at least until Elon Musk figures out that whole travel-to-Mars thing.  In the meantime, as we celebrate our mother-ship on this special day, let’s recognize that we can all take some action to help [...]

Going To Bat For Our Planet On Earth Day 

Motivated by HistoryThe first alternative to the traditional wood bat gained popularity in the 1970s, about 50 years ago. It started with basic aluminum as a more durable option to wood. The market incrementally progressed in that direction through today, with aluminum or more recently, polymer composite, being primary options.In that time, wood was slowly disregarded and never seriously considered as a material for high performing bats. Beyond MLB, wood bats were relegated to wood bat leagues and for those that craved the classic feel, look, sound and tradition of wood. Over the last 50 years, the large sporting goods companies and bat manufacturers dominated sales and continued the same fundamental approach from the 1970s. While making incremental improvements, they are still using legacy processes and materials when compared to today’s technology. With inertia in effect, and with no disruptive competition forcing a fresh perspective on the baseball bat, why change?Delano Bat Company’s Heritage and MissionDelano Bats has been in the bat business for many years. We were in the solid wood market and heard many of our loyal customers telling us they didn’t particularly like the feel or sound of their alloy or composite bats but had no other options without sacrificing performance.We were motivated by our customers and the realization that the history and aesthetic design components of the traditional baseball bat were being completely neglected in the chase for performance, and bats were still stuck in circa 1970s era thinking. There was no product in the market attempting to bridge between the old and the new, which became our mission, to fuse together the history of baseball (wood) with the most modern construction materials (composites) to give hitters the benefits of both.Without being tied to legacy techniques or technologies and with a fresh perspective and a commitment to baseball’s heritage, we patented FZN Technology - a fusion of tradition and technology.How is FZN Different?FZN is different in the intent of the product and its material construction:<ul>
<li>FZN uses wood as the hard hitting surface and composite materials for strength, durability, balance, barrel size and performance. This gives it a wood look and sound, but produces the barrel size, performance and durability expected from maximum allowable BBCOR specs. </li></ul><ul>
<li>Traditional BBCOR uses composites and metal alloys interchangeably for the hard hitting surface, strength, durability, balance, barrel size, and performance but lacks the feel, look and sound of classic wood. </li></ul><ul>
<li>Hybrid wood bats have emerged more recently, using wood as the hard hitting surface and composite materials for strength and durability. There are no additional effects to aid performance, only to reinforce the bat to make it next to unbreakable. The bat will look, feel, and perform just like wood, but there are no consequences for getting jammed.</li></ul>Here is a summary level view of how FZN is different:<a href="https://store-jo3a1dt1.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/fzn-comparison-chart.png"><img src="/product_images/uploaded_images/fzn-comparison-chart.png" alt="FZN table" title="FZN table"></a>

Why is FZN Technology so different, and what is driving its development?  

Motivated by HistoryThe first alternative to the traditional wood bat gained popularity in the 1970s, about 50 years ago.  It started with basic aluminum as a more durable option to wood. The market incrementally progressed in that direction through today, with aluminum or more recently, polymer composite, being primary options.In that time, wood was [...]

Why We Developed FZN Technology

My wife, Kathy and I have just joined the Delano Bat Company, and I wanted to share a bit about our decision to do so, as I suspect my sentiments will resonate with many of our Delano supporters. So much of this company, product and vision parallels our values and aspirations.Baseball is a lifetime passion. It was a bond in my family growing up, and it holds a position of tradition and nostalgia. And thankfully it has reached a similar stature with our 2 boys. Given all of this, did my wife, Kathy stand a chance of NOT getting sucked into baseball? Of course not.Professionally, I’ve been on the opposite side of the tradition-nostalgia spectrum. I have worked in the internet industry for 30 years creating new products, driving growth and disruption through technology - change is constant.That dichotomy echoes my recent past with baseball. The (former) shift, DH in both leagues, and my boys playing the same game I played, except for the crack of my wood bat replaced by the ping of their metal. As the bats got more flashy and expensive, the pings got louder. Truth be told, I have always despised the sound, but I chalked it up to technology - change is constant. I also started believing the hype from the kids around the batting cages, and I would never deprive my kids from the best weapon available.This all leads up to a day in September 2022 when my wife and I crossed paths with the original Founders at Delano Bat Company.Delano Bats is a family-oriented, small company rooted in the mission to hand-craft the best possible wood bats for competitive baseball players. A quintessential American small business, one you can’t not admire, in the quintessential business of America's pastime. But here’s where the dichotomy kicks in again - they are also engineers, who, as engineers do, think differently.We learned that they want to build a bat that fuses the best of tradition and the modernity: a bat that has the unmistakable, nostalgic and unique sound and feel of a classic wood bat, and also a bat that delivers industry-leading BBCOR performance: great pop, swing weight and a massive sweet spot across the barrel.Is that even possible? Well, they’ve been busy in their labs, and the result is a true wood bat with some impressive, patented magic of material-science and manufacturing prowess inside. The initial prototype submitted for BBCOR certification failed because it was too powerful - the founding engineers had to make their next design “worse”. I was pumped after that first conversation. We talked about the technology, design and specs and much about the mission to stay grounded in nostalgia, tradition and classic baseball sound and feel. They are traditional baseball people, engineers and entrepreneurs - my PEEPS!I was hooked! But I am well outside the target user. Would my kids think it’s a good idea? At this point, the large manufacturers have their grips on the youth baseball market - sway away from the latest alloy or composite at your own peril. Well, not only did our boys love the idea, but after a survey of ~ 20 local players, teammates and parents, we learned we were not alone in our excitement. Delano Bat Company, here we come. Please, please, please let us join you on this journey.Thank you for indulging me by reading this note. We hope that you also join us on the journey and sign up to stay connected with us as we move from prototype, to BBCOR certification, to market. We didn’t think we would be owners of a baseball bat company four months ago, but hey, change is constant.

Why we believe in the vision of Delano Bat Company and the promise of its new baseball bat technology

My wife, Kathy and I have just joined the Delano Bat Company, and I wanted to share a bit about our decision to do so, as I suspect my sentiments will resonate with many of our Delano supporters.  So much of this company, product and vision parallels our values and aspirations.Baseball is a lifetime [...]

On Deck - Our Blog

Latest Articles