Our mission
EMPOWER EVERY BALLPLAYER TO IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE, LOVE THE GAME, AND BE PREPARED TO LEAVE THEIR MARK ON THE WORLD
About Bat Club USA
It Started with a Passion
Bat Club USA was founded for a simple reason - every athlete deserves to have access to the best equipment, regardless of their skill level, age, or resources.
The founders of Bat Club USA, Erik and Oscar, have been around baseball for over 20 years. Both of Cuban descent and growing up in Miami, baseball played a vital role in their lives. Erik and Oscar both participated in organized baseball, and when it finally came time to hang up the cleats, they realized their passion could continue to serve the new generations of players.
Erik and Oscar found various ways to support younger generations in their love for the game. Coaching and mentoring young players was something that Erik was able to do through his academy in South Florida, but it didn’t stop there.
Meet Erik Rico
Position: Co-Founder / CEO
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Bat Size 34/31
Tendency: Line drive hitter with power to right field
Favorite baseball play: Hustling triple
Erik played organized baseball at the high school and collegiate level and went on to play professionally for the Toronto Blue Jays. After Erik retired from the game, he went on to establish a baseball academy in South Florida. Here, he was able to mentor and coach young players who were just getting started with the game.
Erik loves everything about the game of baseball. In high school, he would go to other local games just to scout the opposing hitters before his own team played them. That drive earned him a spot on the Cornell baseball team where he excelled. He earned ivy league player of the year and has even been inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame.
His passion has not fizzled since he hung up his own cleats, in favor of those of boys and girls in his hometown. Erik continues to be a player's coach making sure he emphasizes the love of the game beyond anything else he teaches.
Meet Oscar Llarena
Position:Co-Founder / CMO
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Bat Size:33/30
Tendency: Gap hitter with power to right-center.
Favorite baseball play: Hit and run
Oscar's love for the game of baseball began at a young age. In fact, Oscar and Erik played ball together from elementary school all the way through high school, and are still the best of friends.
After college, Oscar was drafted by one of the top advertising agencies where he was part of All-Star teams for clients such as Volkswagen, Burger King, and Coke Zero before testing free agency and working on brands such as Whole Foods, Staples, UPS, and 7Eleven amongst others.
Oscar's love for the sport is still strong today and fuels him to help the new generations of players get their hands on the highest quality of equipment around.
An Opportunity to Improve
As Erik and Oscar coached and observed different teams and leagues, there was one aspect that continued to play a vital role in the outcome of the game: the bats. The players were constantly making note of the bats that the players on the opposing team had, and immediately felt as if they were down 1-0 before the first pitch.
For the parents of the players, the change in mentality based on equipment was frustrating. It’s no surprise that players were paying attention to the small details of the game, but parents also knew how expensive it was to purchase high-quality baseball bats and softball bats when their players were still growing at a rapid rate.
Even so, Erik and Oscar recognized that every player should have access to high-quality baseball and softball equipment, so they went to the drawing board to work on finding a solution.
The Solution
Erik and Oscar stepped up to the plate and founded Bat Club USA to ensure that every hitter has access to the best bats, regardless of cost. The Bat Club USA membership structure is designed to provide an effective alternative to purchasing a bat, a solution that parents with growing players can appreciate. With low-cost monthly subscriptions, players can step up to the plate with confidence knowing that they have the best equipment available. Knowing this, the younger generation of players are able to focus more on the game, and less on the equipment that the opposing team is using.
Since the foundation of Bat Club USA, additional equipment has been added to the site to ensure parents of players can find all of the high-quality equipment that they need, in one place. From catcher’s gloves to catching sets, the team at Bat Club USA has worked hard to ensure a wide selection of high-quality equipment for both players and parents to enjoy.
Become a member of Bat Club USA and enjoy this low-cost alternative method of providing your child with the best equipment on the market. Browse our membership plans online and become a part of the Bat Club USA family.
