Louisville Slugger reopens factory, resumes taking orders from players

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Baseball's bat makers are stepping back up to the plate.

The company that makes Louisville Slugger bats reopened its Kentucky factory on Monday and began taking new orders from Major League Baseball players, according to The Associated Press.

Hillerich & Bradsby had shut down the Louisville Slugger factory due to the coronavirus pandemic, keeping it shuttered for nearly two months. The shutdown led to the company furloughing 171 workers.

All of those employees have now returned to their jobs, and Hillerich & Bradsby received a government loan to help pay their salaries.

"Ending furloughs and putting everyone back on payroll was made possible when H&B received funds from the (paycheck protection program)," Hillerich & Bradsby spokesman Rick Redman said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Employees at the reopened factory will now follow social-distancing standards, according to The AP. That includes wearing masks while working and undergoing two daily temperature checks.

MLB sent its proposal for a shortened 2020 season to the players' union on Monday. If accepted, the season could begin in early July.