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.

Area51Sports also provides full customization services for programs or retailers wanting to create their own unique line of wood baseball bats.  Custom decaling and color schemes, including mind-blowing graphic creations will guarantee that your program will get noticed.  Customs are available for game use and/or for souvenirs.  Area51 leads the industry in wood bat customizations.

For the hobbyists or players wanting to create their own wood bats, Area51 provides raw, unfinished bats in all five models.  Wood bat billets (also called wood bat blanks) and wood bat turning kits are also available with supporting instructional DVD's.

• A commitment to quality
• A dedication to creating high performance wood bats
• A promise to provide great products at an affordable price

It's no wonder that Area51Sports has captured the attention of the baseball world by creating the most innovative wood baseball bats in the game today.

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.