DeMarini

DeMarini
Founded 1989 (1989)
Founder Ray DeMarini
Headquarters 45°33′58″N 122°54′24″W / 45.5660°N 122.90668°W / 45.5660; -122.90668Coordinates: 45°33′58″N 122°54′24″W / 45.5660°N 122.90668°W / 45.5660; -122.90668, Hillsboro, Oregon, United States
Owner Amer Sports
Parent Wilson Sporting Goods
Website www.demarini.com

DeMarini Sports, Inc. is an American manufacturer of baseball bats and other sports equipment headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The company is known for producing baseball and softball bats with innovations that provide enhanced hitting power.

History

Ray DeMarini founded the company in Oregon in 1989, introducing a "high-tech" softball bat.[1] The company's 1995 introduction of double wall bats, and the increased power they provided, drew praise and propelled the company's success,[2] but also prompted concern over bat safety.[3] Sales surpassed 10,000 bats annually in the mid-1990s.[1] Acquired by Wilson Sporting Goods in 2000, DeMarini continues to research, design and build bats in its Hillsboro, Oregon facility.[4] In 2012, the company expanded the business by adding softball and baseball apparel.[4][5]

Products

DeMarini’s Doublewall technology employs two independent walls to create a springboard hitting surface, extending the center of percussion along the length of the barrel. They also produce bats, such as the Nitro and Diablo, with a single wall. Most Demarini little league bats come in -11,-12, and -13 weight drop. Most senior league bats come in -8. All adult bats are sold as -3 weight drop. The most common bat is the CF series and the Vodoo series. This bat started as the F2.Other innovations include aluminum-carbon hybrid bats.[6] The company is unlike many of its competitors, who produce bats abroad.[7]

Company headquarters in Hillsboro, Oregon

More than 150 college baseball programs use Demarini bats, including Oregon State University, the repeat College World Series Champions in 2006 and 2007, and 2009 CWS champion Louisiana State University. The 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and III championship teams also used DeMarini equipment.[7] A 2005 headline in a New Jersey newspaper referred to DeMarini bats as the "Mercedes of baseball bats."[6]

Among other bat producers, DeMarini has been involved in increased marketing to Little League Baseball players that has been met with criticism.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McCall, William (15 September 1995). "Designer Connects With His High-Tech Softball Bat". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ↑ McCall, William (September 17, 1995). "Talk softball and carry a big bat: Inventor says you can hit one out of the park with his new double-walled metallic slugger". Associated Press. Rocky Mountain News.
  3. ↑ Kolpack, Jeff (1999-08-12). "Bats carry a wallop, Wahpeton injury raises concern over bat safety". The Forum.
  4. 1 2 Brettman, Allan (November 19, 2012). "DeMarini Sports of Hillsboro adds apparel to its batting lineup". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ Siemers, Erik (November 19, 2012). "Bat-maker DeMarini adds apparel line". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  6. 1 2 McKay, Martha (May 19, 2005). "Mercedes of baseball bats, not just because it bends.". The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey).
  7. 1 2 Carney, Drew (22 August 2007). "DeMarini bat cave produces winning product". KGW.com.
  8. ↑ Rovell, Darren (2003-08-19). "Companies line up to be part of action". ESPN.com.
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