AP The University of Alabama is still under contract with Nike for uniforms and various other equipment — because let’s face it, Nike controls the universe — but the Crimson Tide is scrapping the Nike bats. They have the blessings of Nike for this decision, because frankly, Alabama’s home run numbers are not good publicity. Alabama, using Nike bats, hit just 23 home runs last season. That’s down from an average of 86.6 over the previous three seasons. Fail.
But Alabama isn’t alone.
TOf the top 20 team leaders in home runs this past season, none used Nike bats. Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, North Carolina and Southern Cal — all Nike schools — showed signs of substandard offensive performance. Prior to the 2010-11 season, Miami had not missed the postseason this millennium, reaching the College World Series five times. The Hurricanes blasted an average of more than 93 home runs a season from 2008-2010. This past year Miami hit just 33.
The revised contract means that Alabama is free to use whatever bats they choose, but must still use other Nike gear, such as uniforms.
H/T Gabe Feldman.
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Alabama baseball team released from Nike bat contract [Tuscaloose News]
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- southernpatriots - Sep 13, 2011 at 5:39 PM
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We hope LSU will return to Omaha this upcoming season and once again win the World Series. Nike’s bats don’t give enough spring. They do not deflect or flex enough and all teams who used them lost alot of batting production. Similar to the strange Nike Pro Combat unis used by Oregon (Phantom of the Opera) and Georgia (redbirds), likely resulting in their loses. Nike is trying to do too many things and not doing them to the Nike quality level they are known for. Or maybe its the low wages paid to the impoverished children making the items?
