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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg
The World's Largest Baseball Bat stands outside of the museum entrance
Established 1996
Location 800 West Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Visitors 326,595 (2017)

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a super cool place in Louisville, Kentucky. It's a museum and a factory tour attraction where you can see how famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats are made! The museum shares the amazing story of these bats in baseball and American history. They also have fun, temporary exhibits that connect with popular culture. These have included displays with art from the Norman Rockwell Museum and even creations by LEGO artists.

The building also holds the main offices for Hillerich & Bradsby (H&B), the company that owns Louisville Slugger. They also make Bionic Gloves and PowerBilt Golf Clubs. Even though Wilson Sporting Goods bought the Louisville Slugger brand in 2015, the Hillerich family still owns the museum and the bat factory.

The Story of Louisville Slugger Bats

Babe Ruth 1927 Game Used Bat
Hillerich & Bradsby bat used by Babe Ruth in a 1927 game, shown at the museum.

Louisville Slugger bats have been made in four different places over the years. The very first shop was on South First Street in Louisville. Family stories say that J. A. "Bud" Hillerich, who was 17, made a bat for Louisville Eclipse star Pete Browning. This happened after Browning broke his bat during a game in July 1884. The very next day, Browning got three hits with the new bat, and the legend of Louisville Slugger began!

In 1901, the factory moved to South Preston and Finzer Streets. They stayed there until 1974. From 1974 to 1996, Louisville Slugger bats were actually made in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This town is just across the Ohio River.

Bringing the Factory Home

In the early 1990s, the CEO of H&B, John A. "Jack" Hillerich III, wanted to bring bat production back to Louisville. He wanted the factory and the business offices to be in the same place. He also wanted to create a spot where the public could learn about the Louisville Slugger brand.

They chose a former tobacco warehouse at 8th and Main Streets. After a lot of work, the Museum & Factory opened in July 1996. Many famous baseball players, like Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, were there for the grand opening!

The museum had big updates in 2008 and again in 2023. It has become very popular, breaking its own attendance records. In 2017, over 326,000 people visited!

The Mobile Museum Experience

The museum also has a "Mobile Museum" that travels around the country. This pop-up version lets people experience the museum in different cities. It often includes demonstrations of how bats used to be made. There's also a "Hold a Piece of History" exhibit. Since 2013, the Mobile Museum has visited many baseball stadiums and fan events.

What You Can See at the Museum

Exciting Attractions

  • World's Largest Baseball Bat: This huge bat holds a Guinness World Records title! It's 120 feet tall and weighs 68,000 pounds.
  • Signature Wall: In the entrance area, there's a giant wooden wall covered with signatures. These are from every baseball player who has had a contract with Louisville Slugger.
  • Museum Gallery: This area has many fun and interactive exhibits.
  • Factory Tour: You can take a tour to see how the famous Louisville Slugger bats are made right before your eyes!
  • Bat Vault: Look into a special room where all Louisville Slugger bat models are kept. You can even hold copies of some famous bats.
  • Batting Cages: Step up to the plate! You can use historic bat models or the newest Louisville Slugger bats to practice your swing.
  • Museum Store: This gift shop has Louisville Slugger items, cool baseball souvenirs, and you can even get a personalized bat!

Inside the Museum Exhibits

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In 2006, Louisville Slugger started making pink bats for Mother's Day.
  • History of the Bat: Learn how the very first Louisville Slugger bat was made by 17-year-old Bud Hillerich for baseball star Pete Browning.
  • Hold a Piece of History: This is your chance to hold a real game-used bat from Hall of Fame players! You might hold bats used by Babe Ruth, Johnny Bench, or Ken Griffey Jr..
  • Player's Choice: See displays of bats used by top MLB players. You can also check out the latest composite bats.
  • Feel the Heat: Experience what it's like to face a baseball thrown at 90 miles per hour!
  • Old-Time Bat Making Demonstrations: Watch skilled workers use a lathe to show how bats were made long ago.
  • Burn-Brander: See how bats are "burn branded" with their famous logos and player names.
  • Statue Collection: The museum has lifelike statues of baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron. On March 12, 2025, a statue of Mo'ne Davis was unveiled. She is the first non-Major League Baseball player to have a statue at the museum!

The Factory Tour Experience

The tour of the Louisville Slugger bat factory has five stops. It shows you exactly how these famous bats are made. Tours usually last about 30 minutes. Even on evenings, weekends, and holidays, you'll still see bats being made. Plus, every guest gets a free mini-bat at the end of the tour!

In 2015, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory was even named one of the most beautiful factories in the world!

Living Legend Award

Since 2007, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory has given out a "Living Legend" Award. This award honors amazing baseball players. It happens during an annual auction of baseball memorabilia.

List of Living Legend Award Winners

See also