A Springfield-area painter is hoping a product he developed that was worn by players in the World Series might shine a bright light on his fledgling company.
Todd Young, founder of Thumb Buddy, invented the neoprene finger protector around 10 years ago to sell to fellow painters, but that market never solidified. A year or two in, Young realized his product was a natural fit for baseball players and trainers tired of treating thumbs raw from repetitively swinging bats.
What started with a free box to the Springfield Cardinals’ trainer in 2006 has slowly grown into orders from 15 Major League Baseball teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and this year’s World Series teams.
For baseball players, he said the product helps reduce pain and blisters associated with bat vibrations and improves their grip. While Young said many players wear them under their batting gloves, he noticed Royals’ regulars Billy Butler, Alicides Escobar and Nori Aoki wearing them outside their gloves during the playoffs.
The Royals, Young said, have been among the most frequent customers, ordering six times this year. Most recently, the painter filled an order of 50 for Royals Assistant Athletic Trainer Kyle Turner just before the start of the playoffs. Turner did not return a request for comment by press time.
Sales also have pushed beyond U.S. borders to fill an order for a Japanese baseball team, and Young said the Missouri State University softball team also has worn the $3 product.
Despite the notable customers, Thumb Buddy sales have only approached $5,000 a year the past three years.
“I haven’t quit my day job, but who knows,” said Young, an independent contract painter.
First pitch In his first year working with the Springfield Cardinals, Young said seven of its minor-league players wore the Thumb Buddy during games. That led Cardinals Hitting Coach Joe Cunningham to take some to spring training with the pros. Before long, the St. Louis Cardinals would be on Young’s client list.
“The next year, I sent a bunch of free samples and information to all of the training camps. Shortly thereafter, the Dodgers were the first team to order,” Young said. “Then the Marlins were the second team to order, and I was pretty excited. I thought, ‘OK, here we go. It’s going to take off.’”
But the company’s trajectory was less dramatic than he imagined. Over the next several years, he slowly filled orders for new teams, but hit a plateau of 15 teams about three years ago.
“I’ve sent letters out to athletic trainers to let them know that the other half of the league is wearing them and that they might be interested in trying them, but I don’t know what the speed bump is,” Young said. “My marketing skills are slim and none.”
The Thumb Buddy comes in three thicknesses. The original 2 mm Thumb Buddy comes in small, medium and large sizes, but the 3 mm and 4 mm buddies are only available in large.
He said the larger sizes were developed after he realized players were doubling up on them for added protection.
Colors come in red, blue and black and prices range up to $150 for a large-size 50-pack, plus shipping and handling.
“The 4 mm is far and away the most popular because it offers the most padding, but Allen Craig prefers the 2 mm,” Young said.
Holly Hesse, head coach of the MSU softball team, said the product was useful but not top of mind with her players. She remembers the team placing an order a few years ago, but she doesn’t think any current roster members wear a Thumb Buddy.
“I might have to order some more of those,” Hesse said, adding that her previous catchers loved wearing it under their mitts. “That thumb gets hit quite a bit, especially if you catch it wrong.”
Trainers with the Cardinals, Royals, A’s and Arizona Diamondbacks were unavailable or did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
The ‘tipping point’ While the Thumb Buddy has caught on with some baseball players and teams, Young said the potential is greater than what he’s tapped into.
Beyond the intended purpose to protect painters’ thumbs and fingers from wire paint can holders, Young has identified potential with construction contractors for hammering and pole sanding, gardeners for raking and pruning, and other sports, such as bowling, fishing, biking and golf.
“They are even good for toes in the Bahamas, because sometimes sandals can rub the wrong way,” Young said.
He established Tangico Inc. to manufacture and distribute the product. Young settled on a manufacturer in China after receiving high cost quotes stateside.
Young said he’s been inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s 2002 book “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.” The tipping point refers to a moment when a product, idea or trend crosses a threshold and seemingly spreads overnight.
Young said he spent at least $10,000 to secure a utility patent on the Thumb Buddy to try to protect his idea.
According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, utility patents exclude others from making, using or selling the invention for up to 20 years without paying maintenance fees.
But the keys to the kingdom, as Young sees it, come through the road of baseball.
His hope is the MLB exposure will generate interest from young ballplayers across the country.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
