The Maker The son of an Architect, and the grandson of an English Master Mason and Carpenter, Tom Roberts learned his trades naturally. A graduate of Queen’s University at Kingston with an honours degree in Applied Science (Civil Engineering), Tom Roberts pursues a career in Architecture and Engineering with more than a passing fancy in woodworking. Having a good eye in one trade carries over to another....the turning of wood bats. As a co-inventor and co-founder of the first maple bat, the progression to the TOM CAT, the Next Generation Maple Bat, was natural. It entailed many hours at the lathe developing skills, shapes, sizes and bat modeling for players of all ages. Baseball has always been known as a kids game.......some are just older than others. Tom is no exception. With the love of the game and a traditionalist at heart, Tom felt the use of a metal bat was not only dangerous but lazy in teaching kids the proper use of a bat. Far from an expert in teaching kids how to play the game, he does have the knack of making bats with the player watching on. “In making a bat with the end user watching, gives that person a value and appreciation of the bat he or she is using to the point where there is a definite elevation in self confidence and self esteem.....Having accomplished this, let the batter and his coach work out the rest.” Sometimes making the bat is the easy part. “I take pride in producing the right bat for players. It’s not as fast as assembly-line manufacturing, but it means each bat is unique, personal, effective and powerful.” After a continued history in making buildings and structures work, the approach to a simple hitting tool follows the same theme. If it works, develop it; if it doesn’t work; throw it away and start again. The key is adaptability and consistency. “If a bat works....make it again, and again, and again.” People will always do better with tools they trust. Tom doesn’t actively promote or advertise his bats. Rather, he pursues word-of-mouth and a behind the scenes approach. An old girlfriend once told him that he didn’t like to get dirty .......Boy! That’s changed. One of the biggest challenges is to make bats for children. Roberts feels kids should be introduced to wooden bats at an early age.....and they should begin with the best.