Shoeless Joe Jackson, said by some to be the greatest baseball player ever, goes into a hitting slump just before he starts his minor league career, so he asks his friend to make him a special bat to help him hit.

No one knew better than Shoeless Joe Jackson what was needed to become the best baseball player ever: a good bat. And no one knew more about bats than Ol' Charlie Ferguson of South Carolina, a good friend of Joe's. With love, nurture, and a lot of hard work, the two friends created Black Betsy -- the finest bat in all the land. And with a bat the likes of her by his side, you can bet Joe went all the way to the major leagues!