Rawlings reserves the top 15 percent of wood for its bats labeled “Professional.” These bats are used in the Minor Leagues.

Like Rawlings' Pro Preferred wood bats, Professional bats have a high-gloss, ultra-protective clear finish.

They are made with a flared knob and a cupped end. The Pro cupped end takes weight out of the bat, making it lighter and moving the balance point toward the hands.

Also like Pro Preferred bats, Professional bats use assorted Major League profiles.

A new bat it the Professional model series is an ash wood bat with a 2-½” barrel and a Pro cupped end. It is the same profile and shape as the bat Joe Mauer swings. Find it at RawlingsGear.com under model number JM77AP.

Other Professional wood bats in the series are: model number 271MAP (maple), 460MAP (maple), 271BAP (ash), 460AP (ash), 288RJAP (ash), 143BAP (ash), 350BKAP (ash), 155BAP (ash) and 433AP (ash).

The 155BAP ash wood bat and is great for wood bat tournaments.

For safety, all maple bats carry the Pro Ink Dot Test on the handle.

Major League Baseball requires this test because of the way maple bats shatter when they break. The ink dot bleeds in the direction of the wood grain, allowing the straightness of the grain to be measured. According to MLB, the straighter the grain, the stronger the bat. These bats should be hit on face of grain.

When you order through Rawlings Gear, you can have your name and number engraved on select wood bats.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) to purchase your Professional wood bat.