The passion behind the V-Grip design — that of helping others — extends throughout the company. Once in a while, we get a “pat on the back” from a happy customer. For example, this letter to Mattingly’s Operations Manager Joe Smeraglino:

Dear Joe Smeraglino,
I’m writing this letter to let you know what an impact you and your company have had on my 10-year-old grandson. After talking to you and receiving the bat and book by Don Mattingly, the sessions in the backyard and the teaching, have become like a school. Everything that you told me was right on the money.

I tell Dan to do something and I’m able to show him why and how, and make sense about what I’m trying to teach. The basic things about hitting that are like a well-kept secret. Without your help, Dan would be caught in the Little League system: play ball, win at all costs, and get through as best you can.

I could go on and on, but know this: with your help Dan at least will know the fundamentals of batting and hitting.

THANK YOU for taking the time to help a grandfather who was reaching out for help. I spent so much money on tapes, lessons and bats before speaking to you and learning about the V-Grip — know that you did an old man a great big favor.

– Frank Butler & Daniel Butler

The article, titled “Swinging for the Fences“, describes Donnie’s transition from All-Star baseball player to pioneering businessman.

You can see the whole article by visiting Portfolio.com’s “Culture and Lifestyle” section, or click here for direct access.

The Yankees were leading the Royals 4-3 when Kansas City slugger George Brett blasted a 2-run homer off New York closer Rich “Goose” Gossage to give the Royals a 5-4 lead.

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After Brett crossed the plate and was congratulated by his teammates, Yankee catcher Rick Cerone picked up Brett’s bat and showed it to the umpires, who ruled that the pine tar applied to his bat ran too far up from the knob (MLB rules indicate that no foreign substance can be applied 18 inches from the knob). Umpire Tim McClelland disallowed the home run and called Brett out. The infuriated Brett burst from the visitor’s dugout and might have stampeded McClelland had he not been held back by other players.

The game was immediately protested by Royals manager Dick Howser, and the incident reviewed by American League President Lee MacPhail. MacPhail decided that the rule book only called for the removal of a bat, and that the pine tar on Brett’s bat did not improve the distance of the fly ball hit (a V-Grip might have, though!). MacPhail overturned McClelland’s ruling, stating that the home run would stand and the game would have to be re-played from that point forward.

On August 18th, the Yankees and Royals re-played the last four outs of the game. Don Mattingly, who had pinch-hit for Steve Balboni during the game’s original date, was positioned at second base by manager Billy Martin, and ace pitcher Ron Guidry played centerfield. It was only the second time in MLB history that a lefthanded thrower played second base.

Donnie, by the way, used to play second base (as a righthander!) in high school.

These four high schoolers are having outstanding seasons, and were rated as top prospects and potential first rounders in the June Major League amateur draft — in fact, Beckham turned out to be the first overall pick in the draft!

Following are profiles of these “Beastly” hitters.

Eric Hosmer (Cooper City, FL) - Through May 9 Hosmer was second on his team with 11 home runs and was batting .451/.588/.951 in 82 at-bats. He has the best power of any high school player eligible for the 2008 draft and rivals some of the top college hitters. In 31 games, his team, American Heritage High School, has connected for 74 home runs, an unprecedented number for high school baseball.

Jaff Decker (Peoria, AZ) - Decker simply destroyed Arizona prep pitchers this season. He broke the state records for batting average (.565) and doubles (16), while smashing 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 85 at-bats. He also starred on the mound, but his team fell just short of their state title run, losing a close ball game to Scottsdale’s Horizon High.

Tim Beckham (Griffin, GA) - Arguably the most athletic player in the draft, Beckham had an extremely impressive summer in 2007 and has continued to put up big numbers in his final high school campaign. In 78 at-bats he was hitting an even .500 with 40 runs scored and 31 RBIs. He also had stolen 16 bases. He has a chance to be a five-tool player and has been speculated as the first pick overall in June.

Kyle Beverly (Midvale, UT) - He may not be a high draft pick like others, but Oregon State would be very excited to get Beverly’s services beginning in the fall of 2008. He is very athletic and has fundamentally sound swing. STATS : .323 avg, 22 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 26 R, 26 RBIs, 18 BB, 7 SB

The winners are Mason House of Tyler, Texas (9U division); John Hrovat of Glendale, Arizona (10U); Kyle Nicholson of Memphis, Tennessee (10U); and Elijah Christenson of Bedford, Texas (12U).

Congratulations to all the winners and good luck this season!

That said, it makes sense to get a V-Grip bat into the hands of a child from the very beginning. Toward that end, Mattingly Sports offers a tee ball bat with a V-Grip handle and the famous “Beast” graphics — so it looks just like the bat the big kids use!

The Beast T-Ball V-grip bat is made from sturdy aluminum alloy, has a standard 2 1/4″ barrel diameter and -10 drop. It comes in three lengths: 24″, 25″, and 26″. Most importantly, the V-grip handle promotes the perfect batting grip — in the fingers, away from the palm — so beginners can learn to swing correctly from the get-go.

Kevin went over the fundamentals of hitting and also demonstrated a few drills with individual players. The event — which took place last Monday, April 21st — ran about an hour and included a Q&A with Kevin as well as an autograph session after the lesson.

Come back to the V-Force blog to find out when an MLB hitting coach will be coming to YOUR area to talk about hitting!

Kevin Long talks about the importance of balance in your batting stance.

Kevin signs an autograph and answers questions after the lesson.

Kevin Long poses with members of Mattingly Baseball and Dick’s Sporting Goods. From left to right: Jim, Kevin, Jeff, Jake, and Howard.

More pictures from the event can be found on the Rockaway Township Baseball Association website here

Boutelle was nominated 2006 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, leading the University of Texas to 3 NCAA Division I World Series appearances and 2 Big 12 Championships. A 5′5″ powerhouse, Boutelle had an astonishing .500 batting average during the 2006 NCAA Super Regionals.

“Tina Boutelle continues to embody the spirit of Mattingly Sports,” says Skip Shaw, President of Mattingly Sports. “She is recognized as not only a gifted Fastpitch personality for her performance, but as an example for kids across the country to emulate because of her hard work, determination, and respect for the game.”

Tina will represent Mattingly Sports during the 2008 PFX tour and exclusively use the BEAST V-Grip 100% composite bat.

A huge fan of the V-Grip bat, Tina enthusiastically states, “I have been using the Beast Fastpitch bat for over a year now and I can honestly say that my batting has improved. This BEAST V-Grip bat is amazing. It increases my bat speed and gives me the power to hit further than ever before.”

For more information on the PFX Tour visit www.PFXtour.com.

Career Highlights:

International
-Junior Olympic Team- Won Gold Medal
-World University Team - Won Gold Medal
- 2006 National Training Team Invitee

Collegiate: 2006
- USA Sofball World University Games Training Camp Invitee
- Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
- Big 12 Player of the Week (Feb. 21)
- Started 60 out of UT’s 61 games in centerfield and was the team’s leadoff hitter in 43 of the 61 contests
-Stole a career high 25 bases which was highest in UT history
- finished with a .316 (2nd highest on team)
-Teams high with 60 hits
- Scored a team-best 42 runs, the second-best total in UT history (tied with Nikki Cockrell, 1999)

Kaskaskia is a junior college baseball team that uses Mattingly V-Grip bats exclusively, and has had 9 ballplayers drafted by pro teams in the past five years. More importantly, they have sent over 40 players to four-year schools in that same time span, including D1 programs such as Arizona State University, Tennessee Tech, and Indiana State (among others).

Head coach Brad Tuttle is a big believer in the V-Grip technology.

“I believe the Matting MVP V-Grip bat has increased our extra base hits dramatically.”

Kaskaskia College was the first community college in Illinois established under the Junior College Act of 1965. It has a rich tradition of providing comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective educational opportunities for lifelong learning.