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FACTORY TOUR UPDATE: PHOENIX BATS

  • August 30, 2011 11:30 am

The Phoenix Bat Company is a specialized wooden-bat creator and manufacturer located just outside of Columbus, Ohio, in Plain City.  The company produces premium rock maple and northern white ash baseball and softball bats. Combining premium grade woods with the most advanced, state of the art lathe in the bat manufacturing industry, Phoenix Bats delivers high quality wooden bats consistently to major league players and little leaguers alike.  Ohio made and Pro approved! 

And the best part, they offer tours! Open tours are available on Tuesdays at 6pm and Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30pm. No reservation required – just show up.

Tours are $10.00 per person and include a custom engraved mini bat to commemorate your visit.

During the one hour tour you’ll learn about how the business got started with vintage baseball players and a man who liked to make wood spindles. Next, they highlight which MLB pros use the bats and show samples of their specially ordered bats. Names like Ordonez, Carerra and Ramirez perked the boys’ ears.

We next moved into the computer corner to see how the bat is generated on a graphics program first, then sent into the factory to be produced. Good job if you love to take measurements again, and again.

The computer generated model is now fed into the humongous Italian lathe that takes a large dowel of wood and in one slow back and forth motion forms and sands the baseball bat into shape!

The finishing process is messy. Lots of dipping (and dripping stations) abound in a separate temperature controlled room. Finally, you watch the engraver embed a special logo or message into each bat. That same engraver is used to specialize your personal mini-bat tour souvenir.

They have birthday packages, too, combining the wood bat tour with time in the batting cages.

We took the tour offered on Tuesday night. We also allowed for time in the batting cages as a few from our group of baseball players were interested in trying out wood bats to purchase as their practice bats. Watching them smile when they hit the ball on that special “sweet spot” exclusive to each wood bat was a thrill (and seeing them whimper when it stung on the “not so sweet spot” – not so sweet).

Admittedly, I am a factory touraholic. This tour was especially exciting because it combined my family (and friends) love of baseball while supporting an American-made product (made close to home).

Phoenix Bat Company
7801 Corporate Blvd
Suite E
Plain City OH 43064		By phone:
Local: 614.873.7776
Toll free: 877.598.BATS (2287)
Fax: 614.873.7796
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 9:00am-5:30pm

For other ideas for Columbus, Ohio (Central Ohio) area KIDS LOVE TRAVEL tested attractions, lodging and dining visit: http://www.kidslovetravel.com/kids_love_ohio.htm.

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GEORGIA’S PINE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY WITH KIDS @ CALLAWAY GARDENS RESORT

  • August 9, 2011 11:19 am

While few may think of a vacation destination in the mountains of Georgia, regional resorts are often hidden gems. Probably the most famous attraction in the Middle West area, Callaway Gardens, reminds me of the resort properties of the 50s – hundreds of cottages and a massive central inn complete with daily activities for each family member.

Cottages
Cottages pool

The Summer Family Adventure family camps offer signups for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, water skiing, archery, aerobatics, tennis, golf, arts and crafts and more during the day. When nightfalls the fun continues with the circus, campfires, movies, games and more.

Loads of easy biking paths

Every overnight stay includes family admission into the Gardens and Beach area. This admission includes biking the ten miles of trails (many folks brought their own bikes but you can rent them, too or use your Fun Pass), hiking the wooded trails together (separate trails for bikes vs. on foot so no collisions), just beaching (apply that sunscreen), fishing by the gardens docks, miniature golf, zipline adventure courses, or sightseeing the Discovery Center, Pioneer Cabin or the delightful Butterfly Garden.

They have Birds of Prey programs scheduled throughout the day at the Discovery Center – with live animals. The Butterfly Garden is so colorful and we promise you’ll find a different species of butterfly every time you visit.

The Beach area is super clean and they have reasonable chair/umbrella rentals for half day or full day rates.

Dining

With all of the activities and fascinating distractions at Callaway Gardens, making time to eat may be a challenge – but not for lack of dining options.

Callaway Gardens is dedicated to serving sustainably grown and regionally produced food whenever possible. Menus showcase products from local farmers, fishermen and food artisans throughout the South. Here are a few of our favorites:

Country Kitchen: the charming and rustic restaurant offers down-home Southern cooking enjoyed by the Georgia locals for generations. Try their biscuits and muscadine preserves each morning or sides of fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries, glazed apples, black eyed peas, okra, and greens. Entrees like fried chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, catfish, pot roast, and stew are offered. Avg. full entrees $8 – $11.

Rockin’ Robin’s Malt Shop & Pizzeria: an old-fashioned, fun 1950s themed diner with pizza and great shakes plus bubbly root beer floats. Play games or bop to tunes on the jukebox.

Robin Lake Beach Pavilion: for a quick bite to eat or a snack during a fun day at the beach that’s convenient and good tasting. Their menu includes sandwiches, snacks and beverages.

(ref: www.callawaygardens.com) or KIDS LOVE GEORGIA (https://kidslovetravel.com/travel-books/

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KIDS LOVE TRAVEL TIPS: Healthy Road Trips

  • August 2, 2011 5:15 pm

Healthy Road Trip Tips

Family road trips are a tradition. But they can also be tiring, frustrating, and result in way too many backseat meltdowns. How to keep everyone comfortable, healthy and well-fed on the road?

Water, Water Everywhere

Recently, I was camping with a friend, and I noticed that she had no trouble getting her kids to stay hydrated. How? Each had his or her own super-cute decorated metal water bottle, which they carried everywhere; they could even clip them to their belt loops on walks! So off we went to the store, and I let each of my kids pick out their own water bottle. Hearts, peace signs, turtles; there were all sorts of cute designs and they had a blast lining them up and choosing. Sure enough, the water bottles go everywhere with them now, and I no longer have to nag them to drink. The act of taking “ownership” really works!

Plan for Healthy Eating

Frequent reliance on fast food is not an option. So when we travel, we pack healthy snacks and a cooler full of water bottles before we leave. While we may go through a drive-thru for a quick lunch, we have options when we want to stop and stretch a while. When it’s time for a rest stop (we suggest at least every two hours), we’re well-prepared and can take advantage of any beaches, parks or picnic grounds we pass along the way. And if the kids are wiggly and restless, unabandoned free play is a great way to tire them out!

Stop at Farm Stands

There’s no better way to experience the country you’re driving through than to stop by a roadside stand – and you can pick up some fresh fruit to eat along the way, too. Many popular farm stands also offer seasonal tours or play barns for a couple hours of fun. 

Be Prepared

You never know what’s going to happen on the road, right? That’s why I keep “Mommy’s Backpack” nearby with everything we might need in outdoor situations. Here’s what’s in it:

  • Mosquito repellent
  • Swiss army knife
  • Mini-flashlight
  • Sunscreen
  • Moist towelettes
  • Water bottle
  • Roll of paper towels. (for ALL of life’s messes)
  • Band-aids
  • Outdoor Toys – frisbee, blow-up ball to toss

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