Negro League Jacksonville Red Caps Bat

Description

offered her for your consideration is a unique piece of Negro League baseball history. It is the only known example of a bat made specifically for a Negro League team. It is a 1930's model 250 Louisville Slugger that has been hand boned rubbed. It was made for the Jacksonville Red Caps Negro League team, and is the only known bat of it's kind. The Red Caps played at the famed, Florida's Durkee Field in 1938. They moved to Cleveland and became the Bears but moved back to Jacksonville from 1941-1945. They were originally formed by a group of Pullman train porters.
This bat has seen tremendous use, and is cracked but held together with eight nails. It is 37 inches long and weighs a hefty 40 ounces. " Red Caps" is spelled out in block letters. I believe it is hickory due to the dark color it has turned over time. As far as I can find, it is the only Negro League bat made specifically for a Negro League team. Louisville Slugger abided by the rules of Major League baseball in banning negros from playing and didn't make equipment for the Negro League teams. This leads me to conclude this bat was made surreptitiously by a Louisville Slugger employee and given to a Negro League player for use. That alone make this bat a special part of Negro League Baseball history to me.