Mains ME Baseball Bats

The Mains company produced baseball bats from the late 1890's to about 1969, using 4 different company names; Mains & Dolly, W.E. Mains, Mains, Dolly & Ward, and J.R. Mains. Company founder, W.E. (Willard 'Grasshopper') Mains was a professional ballplayer who came up with the Chicago White Stockings in 1888, and played for the 1889 St. Paul Apostles, when he appeared on N173, Old Judge cabinet cards. In 1891, Mainis played for both the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cincinnati Kelly’s Killers, and the Boston Bean Eaters in 1896. He also played for the Syracuse Stars from 1902-06.

W.E. Mains began making baseball bats in the off-season. By the end of the 1890s Mains opened a bat factory near his home in Sandy Creek, near Bridgton, ME. The bats became popular with a number of Major League players including the Chicago Orphans (Cubs) outfielder Jimmy Ryan. In 1907, the Mains & Dolly baseball bats were advertised as "The Seasoned Scientific Bat" made in a forest country (Maine) by ex-professional baseball players.

In 1911 the Mains & Dolly plant located to Fryeburg, ME, and the bats feature the "Mains, Dolley, and Ward, Makers, Fryeburg ME" center brand. According to a 1913 newspaper ad, Mains & Dolly bats were used by the Majority of Pacific Coast Professionals. The Mains, Dolly, and Ward bats were manufactured into the 1940's. "W.E Mains bat company" branded bats were made in Harrison, ME. Baseball Bat models for all labeling include the "Mains Special"

W.E Mains died of heart failure in 1923, at the age of 54, leaving behind his wife and two children, including his infant son Jim. J.R. Mains (James R. 'Bud' Mains.) played one major League game for the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics, and played in the minors until 1950. After he left the game in 1947, he returned to Maine, and took up making bats in Bridgton, ME. J.R. Mains became president of the J.R. Mains Co., a furniture manufacturer and wood turning firm that also turned out baseball bats. Jim Mains passes away at the age of 46, in March of 1969.

W.E. Mains - J.R. Mains Baseball Bats


W.E. Mains Sandy Creek ME Mains Special Baseball Bat	W.E. Mains Bat Co. Harrison, MEum

W.E. Mains Portland ME Dash-Dot-Dash Baseball Bat

KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES RELATED RESOURCES

	KeyMan Collectibles Baseball Memorabilia Facebook Group - Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia. Interact with other collectors or show off your collection.
	KeyMan Collectibles Network54 Forum - A great option for those that "Don't do facebook" Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia