Forging Connections. Elevating our Game.
This past weekend, Caliburn Bats had the privilege of attending the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) Clinic as an official vendor—and what an incredible experience it was.
The clinic brought together some of the best baseball minds: coaches, speakers, program directors, trainers, and suppliers, all focused on one thing... helping athletes get better. We were proud to showcase our handcrafted bats and connect with programs who value quality, performance, and durability as much as we do.
Coach Insights: What We Learned
Talking with coaches was the highlight of the event. We learned a ton about what they want (and what they don’t want) from their fungo bats:
Coaches love smaller fungo sizes for fast infield reps
Rapid-fire ground balls are easier with a lighter, compact fungo. Many coaches shared that they’re looking for something that keeps their arm fresh with more control.
They prefer longer models for fly balls
For deep outfield work, coaches said they like a longer bat that carries through the zone and gets the ball up with less effort.
Custom handles are a big interest
Quite a few coaches asked about custom handle shapes, especially styles similar to our JM handle for extra comfort and a more secure grip during long practice sessions.
Coaches break a LOT of fungos… not always from anger.
We heard countless stories about fungos snapping mid-season or needing frequent replacements. When we shared that some of our Caliburn fungos are still going strong after more than five years, coaches were impressed. Durability was a major theme all weekend.
At this point, we’re convinced the IHSBCA might need to host a breakout session titled “Fungo Survival 101: How Not to Snap One in Half.”
Teams Loved the Clinic Deals
Our booth stayed busy all weekend, and this year’s clinic-exclusive offers drew huge interest.
🔸 Fungo Deal: Buy 5+, Get Free Custom Logo
Programs loved the chance to load up on durable fungos with a custom team logo at no extra cost. These custom orders included coach names, school names, school colors, and a school logo!
🔸 Overload/Underload Trainers Were a Big Hit
We sold a remarkable number of trainers this year—more than any previous clinic. Coaches told us again and again how hard it is to find quality overload/underload tools that are both affordable and durable.
One coach from Milwaukee said he had attended several high school clinics and hadn’t seen any other vendor offering deals like ours. He even shared interesting insight about adjustable-weight trainers he has tested.
🔸 A Return Customer From Champaign Made Our Day
One coach from the Champaign area told us he bought a Dagger model from us last year, used it heavily, and loved it. This year, he came back and picked up both our overload/underload trainer and the Longsword—a great reminder of how much repeat customers mean to us and how our products stand up over time.
A Huge Thank You
To every coach who stopped by our booth, thank you. Your support and feedback fuel our mission to build elite-quality wood bats right here in Illinois. We’re excited for the teams we connected with and hope you all have a great season!
If you missed us at the clinic or want to explore team pricing, custom orders, or trainer recommendations, you can reach us anytime.
See You Next Year!
Events like the IHSBCA Clinic remind us why we do what we do: to support the baseball community and raise the standard for coaching tools.