Summer with the NECBL: What We Learned from Real Hitters
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This summer, we rolled deep with the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) - the premier summer league for top college players from across the country. We had a ton of fun rooting for our hometown Sanford Mainers and visiting with all the teams that rolled through.
Real games. Real players. Real feedback. We showed up, watched homeruns fly off bats using Launchpad, and talked to the people who matter most — the players wearing our gear.
Here's what stood out.
Seeing It in Action
There's something different about seeing Launchpad used in-game. Not in the cage. Not during warmups. But under the lights, with fans in the stands and runs on the line.
Throughout the summer, we saw:
- Player after player stepping into the box wearing a Launchpad
- A lineup of homeruns that felt like we were watching batting practice
- Our protective gear holding up for the full season
It was clear: Launchpad Max isn’t your average thumb protector or swing trainer. It's a critical piece of game-day gear.
Conversations That Mattered
We didn’t pull up just to drop off gear and leave. We talked to hitters. Coaches. Teammates. We asked what worked, what didn’t, and how it felt in real time.
Stuff we heard:
- “It’s snug but not stiff. Really protects me against bat sting."
- “I’ve tried a ThumbPro, but this one actually fits well with my bat.”
- "I used a Pro Hitter my whole life - but I'm switching to this."
- “More swing control without thinking about it.”
- "I really forget it's there most of the time"
Feedback like that hits different when it’s coming from players mid-season. This wasn’t a focus group. It was the field.
Why NECBL Was the Right Place
These players are next-level. Not just talent-wise, but mindset-wise. They care about the details. They're trying to get better, every swing, every rep.
That’s exactly who we built Launchpad for. Being part of that energy — watching our gear get used by guys chasing a bigger goal — locked in why we do what we do.
What’s Next
We’re taking everything we learned this summer and using it to dial things in even further. More reps. More feedback. More development. Launchpad doesn’t stay still.
To the NECBL teams, players, and coaches — thanks for the trust. And a big congratulations to the 2025 NECBL Champions, the Keene Swampbats!