2027 Inductee
Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Ainsworth’s goal was missing bats on the road to reaching the major leagues as a pitcher.
Making a better bat was Ainsworth’s objective when he started his transition from a playing career in 2004. Ainsworth began handcrafting bats in the backyard shed of his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ainsworth ended up hitting a home run with Marucci Sports and the company has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in baseball and softball equipment. In 2025, Marucci and one of the brands under its umbrella, Victus Sports, became the Official Bats of Major League Baseball.
Ainsworth was a first-team All-American and NCAA champion at powerhouse Louisiana State University and a first-round pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft. He won a gold medal with the 2000 Olympic team and compiled a 6-8 record in 29 big-league games with the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles from 2001-04.
He co-founded Marucci Bat Company and that led to the co-founding of Marucci Sports in 2009. Marucci expanded its line to fielding and batting gloves, on- and off-the-field apparel, footwear and other accessories.
Giving back is also a key component of Marucci Sports with the Marucci Cares program, which is designed to help those in need and increase youth sports participation. Marucci Cares has worked with the foundations of several MLB athletes and continues to create partnerships and support the work of athletes and partners aiming to provide access to diamond sports.