When did Hillerich and bradsby make cork ball bats?

Answer 1

H&B made Louisville Slugger "Official Cork Ball" bats in the early 1950s. The bats were used to play "Corkball," a game that originally used a cork stopper from a beer keg wrapped with tape to about the size of a lemon, and a broom stick for a bat. It was usually played with just a pitcher, catcher and batter. If the batter swings and misses and the catcher caught the ball it was an out. If hit and not caught by the pitcher or catcher it was a hit. No base running was involved. All hits were singles and the players kept up with where the runners should be on the bases. Often, an area was designated as a home run area. Teams could be made up of two or more players. If more than three players were on a team, the 3rd player would be a fielder. The game was originated in St. Louis, MO, where it was often played in the street and also in cages adjacent to taverns, but became popular throughout the country and is now played in parks and school yards. In addition to the Louisville Slugger bat, an "Official Cork Ball" was produced by Rawlings, and was apparently a small version of its baseballs. Currently the owner manufacturer of corkball equipment is the Markwort Sporting Goods company of St. Louis, MO.