Hidden Gems: Meet Paul LaMantia Ryan LaPensee of Backyard Bats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul LaMantia Ryan LaPensee.

Hi Paul LaMantia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Paul La Mantia: Twenty years ago, my grandfather, Joe LaMantia Sr., taught me how to hand-spin a wooden baseball bat. Before he passed, I made my first bat as a tribute to him—a bat we could take to the hospital for the family to sign as a labor of love. That’s when I started turning bats for friends and teammates. My first client was Ryan LaPensee, who bought a red pea-shooter from me. Over the years, my father, John La Mantia, and I kept the business going, especially during my college years at Wayne State University in Detroit. Fast forward to April 2024, Ryan and I decided to partner and take the business to the next level, combining his technical expertise with my background in sales. We incorporated the company, Backyard Bats, in Michigan and recently got it certified.

Ryan LaPensee: Paul and I have known each other since playing travel baseball in Canada, and later at Wayne State. We were also teammates with the London Majors and Tecumseh Thunder, winning championships along the way. So, for us, this partnership feels like a natural extension of our history together as teammates. That’s what makes this venture so exciting.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Paul: The market is saturated, and we’re well aware of that. Getting certified by Major League Baseball is a major challenge—it’s a rigorous process. We had to go through extensive testing for the bats and secure an insurance policy, which is required for certification. It’s a lot of work, but we believe it’s the right time to enter the market.

Ryan: From a growth perspective, Velocity – our accelerator and incubator partner in Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been invaluable in helping us navigate the legal side of the business, including securing grant funding. It’s crucial for us as an international business to have these foundations in place, especially as we look to scale. Many small businesses overlook these necessary steps, but they’re vital for long-term success. The mentorship from Velocity’s accelerator program has been incredible, too. The guidance we’re getting, based on their experience with businesses at various stages, is helping us make smarter decisions. We’re excited to keep learning and growing with their support.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Paul: Backyard Bats offer the highest quality wood baseball bats, fielding gloves, and batting gloves. With 20 years of experience, we have knowledge that many competitors lack, and as former players, we can connect with today’s baseball players on a deeper level.

Q: What sets you apart from the others?

Ryan: Our unique blend of baseball knowledge, sales, and tech experience is our winning formula. We’re able to take ideas and quickly bring them to market, which gives us a competitive edge. Many companies have great ideas but struggle to execute, while we can do AB testing and adjust quickly, keeping us ahead of the curve.

Q: What are you most proud of brand-wise?

Paul: I’m proud of our company’s logo. It’s bold and stands out, and the story behind it ties into our roots as a backyard bat company. “Backyard” represents more than just a place—it’s where players often have their first catch with their fathers, embodying the spirit of baseball across North America, far beyond the big leagues. The five fence posts in the logo symbolize baseball—the bat, the ball, and our partnership. I wore number four, so one fence post is replaced by a bat, and Ryan wore number five, tying our unity into the design.

Ryan: We’re also proud of how we’re standing out in a sea of brands that often rely on cursive fonts or acronyms. Our bold approach is disruptive in a competitive market. I know that when our product hits the field, especially on darker-colored bats, the logo will be easily recognizable and make a strong impact.

What makes you happy?
Paul: Blueberry muffins! My business partner is super creative—I’m not the artistic type, but seeing his vision come to life in products people use, especially in baseball, is awesome. It’s always exciting to see kids step up to the plate with our pink and mint colored batting gloves. Watching players—youth, amateur, or pro—use our products makes me really proud.

Ryan: I’ll run with that. Honestly, what makes me happiest is my relationship with Paul. We’ve been best friends and teammates, but to see how that dynamic has translated into a successful business partnership is truly fulfilling. Every day I get to work alongside him makes me happy. And yes, the blueberry muffins—every time we have a big meeting or interview, we share a muffin, say a prayer, and just enjoy what we love most: baseball. It’s such a blessing. I can’t even put it into words.

Pricing:

• Our Pro bats are $189 .99.
• Our professional game day batting gloves are $49.99.
• Our pro custom fielding, long legend, fielding gloves, fully custom are $249.99.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.backyardbats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backyardbatco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560045940895
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backyard-bats/