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J.C. Vierck &
Sons Bruce Belter
Baseball Bats |
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Item Details |
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CIRCA
- 1950
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MANUFACTURER
- J.C. Vierck &
Sons of Bruce,
Wisconsin
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SIZE
- 34"
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PRICE GUIDE
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$50.00-$100.00
Very Good -
Excellent Condition
Value will vary
based on player
demand
Information
Provided by:
Keymancollectibles.com
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J.C. Vierck & Sons of Bruce
Wisconsin started up after Jack Vierck
returned home from fighting with the
U.S. Army Infantry during WWII. In
1948 his father John C. Vierck bought
property in Bruce, WIS. With the help
of his sons, the family opened the bat
factory and started turning out the
"Bruce Belter" a line of high quality
baseball and softball bats. They sold
the bats through an Eau Claire sports
store which supplied the Eau Claire
Bears, and their star player Hank
Aaron. Eau Claire hosted the Class C
Northern League baseball team,
affiliated with the Boston Braves from
1947-1962.
The factory initially produced
a softball bat and 5 player models in 1950. The Williams, Kiner,
Musial, Professional, and a full name
block letter Babe Ruth bat. The retail price for the bats
ranged from $1.00-$3.00. That same year the bats
were tested by the Bruce baseball team
in a Northwest Wisconsin night League.
They planned on increasing production
the following year, but a couple of
years later, Jack left the business of
manufacturing baseball bats to work in
auto-body repair, Jack's Body Shop
until he retired in the 1980's.
Around 2004, Jack Vierck's grandson asked for a baseball bat. Grandpa,
couldn't resist his love for making
baseball bats and started a new
business. Making about 25 bats a
winter, he used the "Bruce Belter" logo designed by
his father John, but with his name J.F. Vierck
& Sons at the top, and "BRUCE.WIS.US."
at the bottom. He sold the bats to area
city teams. The little League bats he sold
for $10., and adult bats for $20.-$25. Vierck figured with expenses he was
loosing money but having fun. The
baseball coach at the local high school
ordered baseball bats with his
graduating player's names engraved into
the bats.
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J.C. Vierck &
Sons Bruce Belter Baseball Bat |
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Circa 2008 J.F. Vierck & Sons
Trademark Center Brand |
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KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES
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