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About Area51Sports
Area51Sports
is a premium wood bat manufacturing company. Combining years of research and "on-field" experience, we have created
a level of wood bat performance that has set a new standard by which all other wood bats will be measured. Area51 products include the Area51 Biohazard Series of pro grade maple bats, the Fusion birch and
maple laminate series, the Helix wood bat (the most advanced single piece wood bat ever created) and the amazing Fusion laminated
fungo bat. We also have created a new line of training bats. Area51Sports produces
the Area51 Black Ops product line of stock wood baseball bats. The Black Ops label offers Professional grade ash and maple
bats in five models. These bats have been turned from hand selected hardwood stock that has been graded for straightness of
grain and color. We have spent years modifying existing models of wood bats to find the perfect combination of balance, feel,
and performance.
ABOUT THE CEO Derek Bonds Hitting/Pitching Instructor
Derek Bonds is a graduate of Mt Pleasant
H.S., where he led the Oilers baseball team to two consecutive state semi-final appearances. He finished his collegiate baseball
career at Crichton College in Memphis, Tennessee where he again led his team into the NCCAA National semi-finals as a starting
pitcher and designated hitter. Derek went on to play baseball in Australia for the Windsor Royals in the Greater Brisbane
league. He was a member of the Detroit Metro Tigers team in the Can-Am league and the Naked Bats club for two years in the
Lansing league where they were city champions. Currently, he is a starting pitcher and designated hitter for the Ohio Titans
semi-pro baseball team.
Derek has a wealth of baseball experience
that comes from 16 years of continuous game experience. As a youth, Derek played local league baseball, then continued throughout
the summer and fall season as a member of the Boys of Baseball team out of Alabama. At the age of 15 he was the top closing
pitcher for the New Mexico Jr. Olympic tryout team. Derek was the youngest player ever invited to the Top Guns showcase (age
15). He has also attended, by invitation, the Team One showcase, the Best of the West showcase, Perfect Game, and the Global
Scouting Bureau tryout camp. He was a Baseball Factory 1st team All-American. He is also a rarity in the world of pitching,
having given up only 8 home runs in his 14 year pitching career.
He
has been coached by some the greatest names in baseball. He attended the Las Vegas Baseball Academy for 6 consecutive years
where he was coached by players such as Mike Martin (Chicago Cubs), Rodney Davis (Mariners), Tony Gwynn (Padres), and future
Hall of Famer, Greg Maddux (Braves). He has also received additional training from Jeff Holley, LHP (Twins), Mickey Lolich
(Tigers), and pitching legend, Tom House (Rangers).
Derek
was a hitting instructor for the Central Michigan Sports Center as well as hitting coach for the BPR Nationals H.S. Prospect
team for two years.
Currently,
Derek owns his own baseball company, Area51Sports, with its two divisions: Area51woodworks and Naked Bats. He is nationally
recognized as one of the fastest rising stars in the baseball bat industry.
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