2026 Omaha BBCOR
Product Art Director & Graphic Designer
Challenge: Design a performance value bat graphic that communicates college-proven reliability while appealing to competitive players seeking trusted, consistent performance at an accessible price point
Solution: A heritage-inspired identity that immediately communicates reliability and trusted performance, appealing directly to competitive players who value consistency and proven track records over experimental features. The design language subtly connects the Omaha to Louisville Slugger's rich college baseball legacy while maintaining a modern aesthetic that appeals to today's competitive players who are seeking value without sacrificing performance quality.
Launch Date: July 2026
A Strategy for Proven Reliability
The Omaha represents Louisville Slugger's performance value model, positioned to serve competitive players who demand reliable college-level performance with proven durability. The challenge was to create a visual identity that communicates the bat's college-proven heritage and consistent reliability.
Key Requirements:
Establish Omaha as the trusted performance value model
Appeal to competitive players seeking reliable college-level performance
Communicate "college-proven reliability" and consistent performance benefits
Create a heritage-inspired retail presence that conveys trustworthiness
Balance legacy with modern performance expectations
Market Positioning Strategy
Target Market: Competitive players seeking reliable college-level performance with proven durability and consistent results
Player Archetype: Loyal, consistency-focused athletes who value proven performance over flashy features, seeking a bat that's "tested, trusted and true"
Market Position: Performance value model positioned as the reliable choice with college baseball heritage, featuring consistent performance optimization and proven durability
"Tested, Trusted and True" Solution
The Omaha design integrates into Louisville Slugger's brand architecture while establishing its own distinct heritage-focused identity through collegiate styling and reliability visualization that appeals to players who value proven performance and traditional excellence.
Brand Elements:
Louisville Slugger branding with heritage prominence
"Omaha" model name with readable visual weight
"College-Proven Reliability" primary benefit messaging
Construction/technology logo callouts
Size/weight badge identification system
Visual Language
Hero Element: Classic collegiate styling with modern integration, visually communicating the balance between Louisville Slugger's heritage and contemporary performance demands
Typography: Strong, reliable letterforms balancing tradition and innovation, reflecting the bat's proven track record while acknowledging modern performance expectations
Graphics: Star geometric patterns suggesting consistent performance and reliability, illustrating the dependable results that competitive players can count on game after game
Heritage Integration: Subtle nods to Louisville Slugger's college baseball legacy woven throughout the design, connecting the Omaha to decades of trusted collegiate performance
Performance Focus: "Tested, Trusted, and True" - emphasizing the bat's proven reliability over flashy claims
