GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. - As part of his tour of small businesses in Southern New Jersey today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez met with the top management of Victus Sports, a manufacturer of custom, professional-grade baseball bats based in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. The unique, New Jersey small business gained recent notoriety for creating special baseball bats at the request of major league ballplayers to help victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and the tragic fire in West, Texas.

"In such a short time, you've become part of America's pastime. Making bats for over 100 professional baseball players in the major and minor leagues like Adam Jones of the Orioles and Mark Teixiera of the Yankees is more than a business. It's got to be fun," said Senator Menendez, who noted the company is on track to manufacture 20,000 bats this year. "I know you will be attracting a loyal following with every team in the country. I guess the lesson is you can have fun in business and give something back to the community and the nation - all at the same time."

"It was a tremendous honor to have Senator Menendez come to our facility and take the time to understand what we do and speak about our business and its early accomplishments," said Victus Vice President of Operations Jared Smith. "We look forward to continually growing our business right here in New Jersey."

Following the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon in April, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes called upon Victus Sports to create four custom bats inscribed "Boston Strong" along with the names of the victims. The bats were created and arrived the following morning in Boston, where they were signed by the entire Boston Red Sox team and auctioned off to raise money to benefit the victims.

In a second occasion, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Laynce Nix called upon Victus Sports after a deadly fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, Nix, who hails from Houston, similarly requested bats for the victims of the fertilizer plant explosion, raising money for families who lost loved ones.

N.J. State Senator Fred Madden, N.J. State Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, N.J. State Assemblyman Angel Fuentes and Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer were among the public officials present at today's event.

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