Backyard Bats

Backyard was founded in 2004 by Paul LaMantia with his father John. It has been incorporated and operated as a hobby business under Back-Yard Bat Co. for the last 20 years in Windsor Ontario. Paul’s passion for hand crafting wood bats was given to him from his grandfather Joe LaMantia who learned how to hand turn a bat at the age of 80. Just prior to his passing - Paul spun his very first bat and gave it to Joe. This bat served as a source of strength and unity while all hospital visitors would sign the bat and say their last goodbyes. In 2024 Backyard incorporated in Michigan. Lifelong best friends and teammates - Paul LaMantia and Ryan LaPensee’s journey as business partners was destined from the very beginning. The two grew up playing elite travel baseball together In Windsor before signing scholarships to play at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. In 2010 the two would lead the Warriors to its first sweep of the Regular Season and Tournament titles in school history. Together the duo rewrote the schools record book and collectively hold many records that still stand to this day. (All Time Hits, Single Season Hits, Single Season Runs, Single Season Home Runs, Single Season Slugging Percentage, Single Season Total Bases). Both would go on to sign professional baseball contracts. Ryan found himself knocking on the door of the big leagues having advanced as high as Triple-A with the Arizona Diamondbacks. See picture of Ryan below proudly supporting his Backyard Bat in Scottsdale Arizona During Spring Training 2011. Built by hitters for hitters - A proud Detroit based company and backyard neighbor to Windsor - Backyard’s mission is to provide players with the highest grade luxury equipment available in the baseball industry today on both sides of the border.